It may only have driven a hole in its bulk, especially if there were hollows through which the gases could run.
Well, with luck, we may know more about it later.

Strike a match, Adams, and light those lamps.

Why, what's that?
Listen!" As he spoke, from somewhere came a series of tiny noises, that, though they were so faint and small, suggested rifles fired at a great distance.

Crack, crack, crack! went the infinitesimal noises.
I groped about, and finding the receiver of the field telephone, set it to my ear.

In an instant all grew plain to me.