Why is it that a person standing near a gun--especially a heavy gun--can never see what execution is done during the first second or two?
He may have his eye on the mark at the discharge, but somehow the report always throws his ocular apparatus out of gear.

In a moment I espied one of the bears scrambling over an ice-cake.

The other had already disappeared; or else was killed, and had fallen down some fissure.
"Man the boat!" exclaimed Raed.

"I'm anxious to see the result of that shot! Bring up those muskets, Wade!" "Who goes on the bear-hunt, and who stays ?" cried the captain.
"I'll stand by the vassel," said old Trull.

"Guard and I will look out for things on board." "Den I'll take his place, sar!" exclaimed Palmleaf, catching the enthusiasm of the thing.
Wade appeared with the muskets.