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."No," agreed Tom."But I suppose the engineers want to be on the safe side incase of damage suits.I want to take a look at the place where the othervalley comes up to this at right angles."He steered his powerful little craft in that direction, and circled low overthe spot."A bursting projectile, about where that big white stone is, would do thetrick," murmured Tom."What trick?" asked Ned, curiously."Oh, I guess I was talking to myself," admitted Tom, with a laugh."I may nothave to do it, Ned.""Well, you're talking in riddles today, all right, Tom.When you get ready toput me wise, please do.""I will.Now we'll get back, and fire our first long shot.I do hope I make arecord."There was much to be done, in spite of the fact that the foreman of the steelworkers assured Tom that all was in readiness.It was some time that afternoonwhen word was given for those who wished to retire to an improvised bombproof.Word had previously been sent down the valley so that no one, unless he waslooking for trouble, need be in the vicinity of the gun, nor near where theshots were to land.Through powerful glasses Tom and Ned surveyed the distant mountain that was tobe the target.Several great squares of white cloth had been put at differentbare spots to make the finding of the range easy."I guess we're ready now," announced the young inventor, a bit nervously."Bring up the powder, Koku.""Me bring," exclaimed the giant, calmly, as he went to the bombproof where thepowerful explosive was kept.The great projectile was in readiness to be slung into the breech by means ofthe hoisting apparatus, for it weighed close to two tons.It was carefullyinserted under Tom's supervision.It carried no bursting charge, for Tom'sfirst shot was merely to establish the extreme range that his cannon wouldshoot."Now the powder," called the young inventor.To avoid accidents Koku handledthis himself, the hoisting apparatus being dispensed with.Tom figured outthat five hundred pounds of his new, powerful explosive would be about theright amount to use, and this quantity, divided into several packages to makethe handling easier, was quickly inserted in the breech of the gun by Koku."Bless my doormat!" cried Mr.Damon, who stood near, looking nervously on."Don't drop any of that.""Me no drop," was the answer.Tom was busily engaged in figuring on a bit of paper, and Ned, who looked overhis shoulder, saw a complicated compilation that looked to he a combination ofgeometry, algebra, differential calculus and other higher mathematics."What are you doing, Tom?" he asked."I'm trying to confirm my own theories by means of figures, to see if I canreally reach that farthest target."Tom Swift And His Giant CannonCHAPTER XVII.THE BURSTING DAM56"What, not the one thirty miles away."That's it, Ned.I want to get a thirtymile range if I can.""It isn't possible, Tom.""Bless my tape measure! I should say not!" cried Mr.Damon."We'll see," replied Tom, quietly."Put in the primer, Ned; and, Koku, closethe breech and slot it home."In a few seconds the great gun was ready for firing.Page 49ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Now," said Tom, "this thing may be all right, and it may not.The only thingthat can cause an accident will be a flaw in the steel.No one can guardagainst that.So, in order to be on the safe side, we will all go into thebombproof, and I will fire the gun from there.The wires are long enough."They all agreed that this was good advice, and soon the steel men and Tom'sfriends were gathered in a sort of cave that had been hollowed out in the sideof the hill, and at an angle from the big gun."If it does burstwhich I hope it won't," said Tom, "the pieces will fly instraight lines, so we will be safe enough here.Ned, are you are ready at theinstruments?""Yes, Tom.""I want you to note the registered muzzle velocity.Mr.Damon, you will pleaseread the pressure gauge.AfterI press the button I'm going to watch the landing of the projectile throughthe telescope."The gun had been pointed, as I have said, at the farthest targetone thirtymiles away, telescope sights on the giant cannon making this possible."All ready!" cried Tom."All ready," answered Ned.There was a tense moment; Tom's thumb pressed home the electric button, andthen came the explosion.It seemed for a moment as if everyone was lifted from his feet.They had allstood on their tiptoes, and opened their mouths to lessen the shock, but eventhen it was terrific.The very ground shookfrom the roof of their cave smallstones and gravel rattled down on their heads.Their eardrums were numbed fromthe shock.And the noise that filled the valley seemed like a thousandthunderbolts merged into one.Tom rushed from the bombproof, dropping the electric button.He caught sightof his gun, resting undisturbed on the improvised carriage."Hurray!" he cried in delight."She stood the charge all right.And look!look!" he cried, as he pointed the glasses toward the distant hillside."Theregoes my projectile as straight as an arrow.There! By Caesar, Ned!It landed within three feet of the target! Oh, you beauty!" he yelled at hisgiant cannon."You did all I hoped you would! Thirty miles, Ned! Think ofthat! A two ton projectile being shot thirty miles!""It's great, Tom!" yelled his chum, clapping him on the back, and caperingabout."It's the longest shot on record."Tom Swift And His Giant CannonCHAPTER XVII.THE BURSTING DAM57"It certainly is," declared the foreman of the steel workers, who had helpedin casting many big guns."No cannon ever made can equal it.You win, TomSwift!""Bless my armor plate!" gasped Mr.Damon."What attacking ship against thePanama Canal could float after a shot like that.""Not one," declared Tom; "especially after I put a bursting charge into theprojectile.We'll try that next."By means of compressed air the gases and some particles of the unexplodedpowder were blown out of the big cannon.Then it was loaded again, theprojectile this time carrying a bursting charge of another explosive thatwould be set off by concussion.Once more they retired to the bombproof, and again the great gun was fired.Once more the ground shook, and they were nearly deafened by the shock.Then, as they looked toward the distant hillside, they saw a shower of earthand great rocks rise up.It was like a sand geyser.Then, when this settledback again, there was left a gaping hole in the side of the mountain."That does the business!" cried Tom."My cannon is a success!"The last shot did not go quite as far as the first, but it was because aPage 50ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmldifferent kind of projectile was used.Tom was perfectly satisfied, however.Several more trials were given the gun,and each one confirmed the young inventor in his belief that he had made awonderful weapon."If that doesn't fortify the Panama Canal nothing will," declared Ned."Well, I hope I can convince Uncle Sam of that," spoke Tom, simply.The muzzle velocity and the pressure were equal to Tom's highest hopes.Heknew, now, that he had hit on just the right mixture of powder, and that hisgun was correctly proportioned.It showed not the slightest strain."Now we'll try another bursting shell," he said, after a rest, during whichsome records were made."Then we'll call it a day's work.Koku, bring up somemore powder.I'll use a little heavier charge this time."It was while the gun was being loaded that a horseman was seen riding wildlydown the valley.He was waving a red flag in his hand."Bless my watch chain!" cried Mr.Damon."What's that?""It looks as though he was coming to give us a warning," suggested the steelforeman."Maybe someone has kicked about our shooting," remarked Ned."I hope not," murmured Tom.He looked at the horseman anxiously.The rider came nearer and nearer, wildlywaving his flag [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]