IT WAS LIKE THE BLAST OF A HUNDRED THUNDERBOLTS Tom Sunft and His Giant Cannon (.Pate 20$) TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON OR The Longest Shots on Record BY VICTOR APPLETON o "TOM twirr AND mi MOTOB CYCLI," "TOM wirr AXV B GUPti," "TOM iwirr AND mi GREAT IIA*CHUGHT," **TB MOVING nCTUBB BOYS,** * one great scheme, which I will tell you about in due time. Among other things he had just perfected a new style of magneto for one of his airships. The magneto, as you know, is a sort of small dynamo, that supplies the necessary spark to the cylinder, to explode the mixture of air and gaso- line vapor. He was trying out this magneto in the Humming Bird when the accident I have re- lated in the first chapter occurred. "There! He's coming to!" exclaimed Mrs. Baggert, as she leaned over Tom, who was stretched out on the sofa in the library. "Give him another smell of this ammonia," she went on, handing the bottle to Mr. Swift. "No no," faintly murmured Tom, opening his eyes. "I I've had enough of that, if you please ! I'm all right." "Are you sure, Tom?" asked his father. "Aren't you hurt anywhere?" "Not a bit, Dad ! It was foolish of me to go off that way ; but I couldn't seem to help it. It all got black in front of me, and well, I just keeled over." "I should say you did," spoke Mr. Peterson, 18 TOM SWIFT 'AND HIS GIANT CANNON "An* ef he hadn't a-been there to cotch yo' all,** put in Eradicate, "yo' all suah would hab hit de ground mighty hard." "That's two services he did for me to-day," said Tom, as he managed to sit up. "Cutting that wire well, it saved my life, that's certain." "I believe you, Tom," said Mr. Swift, sol- emnly, and he held out his hand to his old mining partner. "Do you need the doctor?" asked Mr. Damon, who was at the telephone. "He says he'll come right over I can get him in Tom's electric run- about, if you say so. He's on the wire now." "No, I don't need him," replied the young in- ventor. "Thank him just the same. It was only an ordinary faint, caused by the slight electrical shocks, and by getting a bit nervous, I guess. I'm all right see," and he proved it by standing up. "He's all right don't come, doctor," said Mr. Damon into the telephone. "Bless my keyring !*' he exclaimed, "but that was a strenuous time !" "I've been in some tight places before," went on Tom, as he sat down in an easy chair, "and I've had any number of shocks when I've been experimenting, but this was a sort of double com- bination, and it sure had me guessing. But I'm feeling better every minute." "WE'LL TAKE A CHANCE!" 19 "A cup of hot tea will do you good," said motherly Mrs. Baggert, as she bustled out of the room. "I'll make it for you." "You cut that wire as neatly as any lineman could," went on Tom, glancing from Mr. Peter- son out of the window to where one of his work- men was repairing the break. "When I flew over it in my airship I never gave a thought to the trailer from my wireless outfit. The first I knew I was caught back, and then pulled down to the balloon shed roof, for I tilted the deflecting rudder by mistake, "But, Mr. Peterson," Tom went on, "I haven't seen you in some time. Anything new on, that brings you here?" for the fortune-hunter had called at the Swift house after Tom had gone out to the shop to get his airship ready for the flight to try the magneto. "Well, Tom, I have something rather new on," replied Mr. Peterson. "I hoped to interest your father in it, but he doesn't seem to care to take a chance. It's a lost opal mine on a little-known island in the Caribbean Sea not far from the city of Colon. I say not far by that I mean about twenty miles. But your father doesn't want to invest, say, ten thousand dollars in it, though I can almost guarantee that he'll get five times that sum 20 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON back. So, as long as he doesn't feel that he can help me out, I guess I'd better be traveling on." "Hold on! Wait a minute. Don't be in a hurry," said Mr. Swift Mr. Peterson was an old friend, and when he and Mr. Swift were young men they had pros- pected and grub-staked together. But Mr. Swift soon gave that up to devote his time to his inven- tions, while Mr. Peterson became a sort of rolling stone. He was a good man, but somewhat visionary, and a bit inclined to "take chances" such as looking for lost treasure rather than to devote himself to some steady employment. The result was that he led rather a precarious life, though never being actually in want. "No, pardner," he said to Mr. Swift "It's kind of you to ask me to stay ; but this mine busi- ness has got a grip on me. I want to try it out If you won't finance the project someone else may. I'll say good-bye, and " "Now just a minute," said Mr. Swift "It's true, Alec, I had about made up my mind not to go into this thing, when this accident happened to Tom. Now you practically saved his life. You " "Oh, pshaw! I only acted on the spur of the "WE'LL TAKE A CHANCE!" 21 moment. Anyone could have done what I did," protested the fortune-hunter. "Oh, but you did it!" insisted Mr. Swift, "and you did it in the nick of time. Now I wouldn't for a moment think of offering you a reward for saving my son's life. But I do feel mighty friendly toward you not that I didn't before but I do want to help you. Alec, I will go into this business with you. We'll take a chance! I'll invest ten thousand dollars, and I'm not so awful worried about getting it back, either though I don't believe in throwing money away." "You won't throw it away in this case!" de- clared Mr. Peterson, eagerly. "I'm sure to find that mine ; but it will take a little capital to work it. That's what I need capital !" "Well, I'll supply it to the extent of ten thou- sand dollars," said Mr. Swift. "Tom, what do you think of it? Am I foolish or not?" "Not a bit of it, Dad !" cried the young man, who was now himself again. "I'm glad you took that chance, for, if you hadn't well, I would have supplied the money myself that's all," and he smiled at the fortune-hunter. CHAPTER III PLANNING A BIG GUN "Bur, Tom, I don't see how in the world yon can ever hope to make a bigger gun than that." "I think it can be done, Ned," was the quiet answer of the young inventor. He looked up from some drawings on the table in the office of one of his shops. "Now I'll just show you * "Hold on, Tom. You know I have a very poor head for figures, even if I do help you out once in a while on some of your work. Skip the tech- nical details, and give me the main facts." The two young men Ned Newton being Tom's special chum were talking together over Tom's latest scheme. It was several days after Tom's accident in the airship, when he had been saved by the prompt action of Mr. Peterson. That fortune-hunter, once he had the promise of Mr. Swift to invest in his somewhat visionary plan of locating a lost opal mine near the Panama Canal, had left the 22 PLANNING 'A BIG GUN 23 Swift homestead to arrange for fitting out the expedition of discovery. He had tried to prevail Dn Tom to accompany him, and, failing in that, tried to work on Mr. Damon. "Bless my watch chain!" exclaimed that odd gentleman. "I would like to go with you first rate. But I'm so busy so very busy that I can't think of it. I have simply neglected all my affairs, chasing around the country with Tom Swift. But if Tom goes I ahem! I think per- haps I could manage it ahem !" "I thought you were busy," laughed Tom. "Oh, well, perhaps I could get a few weeks off. Bat I'm not going no, 61ess my check book, I must get back to business !" But as Mr. Damon was a retired gentleman of wealth, his "business" was more or less of a joke among his friends. So then, a few days after the departure of Mr. Peterson, Tom and Ned sat in the former's office, discussing the young inventor's latest scheme. "How big is the biggest gun ever made, Tom ?" asked his chum. "I mean in feet, in inches, or in muzzle diameter, however they are measured. "Well," began Tom, "of course some nation may, in secret, be making a bigger gun than any I have ever heard of. As far as I know, however, 24 TOM SWIFT 'AND JUS GIANT CANNON tKe largest one ever made for the United States was a sixteen-inch rifled cannon that is, it was sixteen inches across at the muzzle, and I forget just how long. It weighed many tons, however, and it now lies, or did a few years ago, in a ditch at the Sandy Hook proving grounds. It was a failure." "And yet you are figuring on making a cannoi with a muzzle thirty inches across almost a yard and fifty feet long and to weigh " "No one can tell exactly how much it will weigh," interrupted Tom. "And I'm not alto gether certain about the muzzle measurement, noi of the length. It's sort of in the air at present Only I don't see why a larger gun than any that has yet been made, can't be constructed." "If anybody can invent one, you can, Tom Swift!" exclaimed Ned, admiringly. "You flatter me!" exclaimed his chum, with a mock bow. "But what good will it be?" went on Ned. "Making big guns doesn't help any in war, that I can see." "Ned!" exclaimed Tom, "you don't look far enough ahead. Now here's my scheme in a nut- shell. You know what Uncle Sam is doing down in his big ditch ; don't you ?" "You mean digging the Panama Canal?" PLANNING A BIG GUN 25 Yes, the greatest engineering feat of centu- ries. It is going to make a big change in the whole world, and the United States is going to become if she is not already a world-power. Now that canal has to be protected I mean against the possibility of war. For, though it tnay never come, and the chances are it never will, still it may. "Uncle Sam has to be ready for it. There never was a more true saying than 'in time of peace prepare for war.' Preparing for war is, in my opinion, the best way not to have one. "Once the Panama Canal is in operation, and the world-changes incidental to it have been made, if it should pass into the hands of some for- eign country as it very possibly might do the United States would not only be the laughing- stock of the world, but she would lose the high place she holds. "Now, then, to protect the canal, several things are necessary. Among them are big guns can- non that can shoot a long distance for if a for- eign nation should send some of their new dread- naughts over here vessels with guns that can shoot many miles where would the canal be once a bombardment was opened ? It would be ruined in a day the immense lock-gates would be de- stroyed. And, not only from the guns aboard 26 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON ships would there be danger, but from siege can* non planted in Costa Rica, or some South Ameri- can country below the canal zone. "Now, to protect the canal against such an at- tack we need guns that can shoot farther,, straighter and more powerfully than any at pres- ent in use, and we've got to have the most pow* erful explosive. In other words, we've got to beat the biggest guns that are now in existence. And I'm going to do it, Ned !" "You are?" "Yes, I'm going to invent a cannon that win make the longest shots on record I'm going to make a world-beater gun; or, rather, I'm going to invent it, and have it made, for I gues* it would tax this place to the limit "I've been thinking of this for some time, Ned. I've been puttering around inventing new mag- netos, potato-parers and the like, but this is my latest hobby. The Panama Canal is a big thing one of the biggest things in the world. We need the biggest guns in the world to protect it "And, listen : Uncle Sam thinks the same way. I understand that the best men in the service at West Point, Annapolis and Sandy Hook, as well as elsewhere are working in the interest of the United States to perfect a bigger cannon than any ever before made. In fact, one has just been com- PLANNING A BIG GUN 27 pleted, and is going to be tried at the Sandy Hook proving grounds soon. I'm going to see the test if I can. "And here's another thing. Foreign nations are trying to steal Uncle Sam's secrets. If this country gets a big cannon, some other nation will want a bigger one. It's a constant warfare. I'm going to devote my talents such as they are to Uncle Sam. I'm going to make the biggest can- non in the world the one that will shoot the farthest and knock into smithereens all the other big guns. That's the only way to protect the canal. Do you understand, Ned?" "Somewhat, Tom. Since I gave up my place in the bank, and became a sort of handy-lad for you, I know more about your work. But isn't it going to be dangerous to make a cannon like that?" "Well, in a way, yes, Ned. But we've got to take chances, just as father did when he invested ten thousand dollars in that opal mine. He'll never see his money again." "Don't you think so?" "No, Ned." "And when do you expect to start on your gun, Tom?" "Right away. I'm making some plans now. ifm going down to Sandy Hook and witness the 28 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON test of this new big cannon. You can come along, if you like." "Well, I sure will like. When is it?" "Oh, in about a week. I'll have to look " " 'Scuse me, Massa Tom," broke in Eradicate, as he put his head through the half-opened office door. " 'Scuse me, but dere's a express gen'men outside, wif his auto truck, an' he's got some packages fo' yo* all, marked 'dangerous explo- sive an' keep away fom de fire/ He want t 1 know what he all gwine t' do wif 'em, Massa Tom?" "Do with 'em ? Oh, I guess it's that new giant powder I sent for. Why, Eradicate, have him bring 'em right in here," "Yais, sah, Massa Tom. Dat's all right; but he jest can't bring 'em in," and Eradicate looked behind him somewhat apprehensively. "Can't bring 'em in? Why not. I'd like to know ?" exclaimed Tom. "He's paid for it." ' 'Scuse me, Massa Tom," said the colored man, "but dat express gen'men can't bring dem explosive powder boxes in heah, 'case as how his autermobile hab done ketched fire an' he cain't get near it nohow. Dat's why, Massa Tom !" "Caesar's ghost!" yelled the young inventor. "The auto on fire, and that powder in it ! Come on Ned !" and he made a rush for the door. CHAPTER IV KOKU'S BRAVE ACT *TOM! Tom!" cried Ned, as he watched the disappearing figure of his chum. "Come back here! If there's going to be an explosion we ought to run out of the back door !" "I'm not running away!" flashed back Tom. "I'm going to get that powder out of the auto before it goes up! If it does we'll be blown to kingdom come, back door or front door! Come on!" "Bacon and eggs !" yelled Ned. "He's running an awful risk! But I can't let him go alone! I guess we're in for it!" Then he, too, rushed from the office toward the front of the shop, before which, in a sort of pri- vate road, stood the blazing auto. And Ned, who had now lost sight of Tom, because of our hero having turned a corner in the corridor, heard ex- cited shouts coming from the seat of trouble. "If that's some new kind of powder Tom's 29 30 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON sent for, to test for his new big gun, and it goes up," Ned said to himself, as he rushed on, "this place will be blown to smithereens. All Tom's valuable machinery and patents will be ruined !" Ned had now reached the front door of the shop. He had a glimpse of the burning auto a small express truck, well loaded with various packages. And, through the smoke, which from the odor must have been caused by burning gaso- line, Ned could see several boxes marked in red letters: DANGEROUS EXPLOSIVE KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE "Keep away from fire!" murmured the pant- ing lad. "If they can get any nearer fire I don't see how." "Oh, mah golly!" gasped Eradicate, who had lumbered on behind Ned. "Oh, mah golly ! Oh, good land ob mass) ! Look at Massa Tom !" "I've got to help him!" cried Ned, for he saw that his chum had rushed to the rear of the auto, and was endeavoring to drag one of the powder boxes across the lowered tail-board. Tom was KOKU'S BRAVE 'ACT 31 straining and tugging at it, but did not seem able to move the case. It was heavy, as Ned learned later, and was also held down by the weight of other express packages on top of it. ''Oh, mah golly!" cried Eradicate. "Git some watah, somebody, an' put out dat fire!" "No no water !" yelled Tom, who heard him. "Water will only make it worse it'll scatter the blazing gasoline. The feed pipe from the tank must have burst. Throw on sand sand is the only thing to use!" "I'll git a shubble!" cried Eradicate. "I'll git a sand-shubble !" and he tottered off. "Wait, Tom, I'll give you a hand !" cried Ned, as he saw his chum step away from the end of the auto for a moment, as a burst of flame, and chok- ing smoke, driven by the wind, was blown almost in his face. "I'll help you!" "We've got to be lively, then, Ned!" gasped Tom. "This is getting hotter every minute! Where's that Koku ? He could yank these boxes out in a jiffy!" And indeed a giant's strength was needed at that moment. Ned glanced around to see if he could catch a glimpse of the big man whom Tom had brought from Giant Land, but Koku was not in sight. "Let's have another try now, Ned!" suggested 32 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON. Tom, when a shift in the wind left the rear of the auto comparatively free from smoke and flame, "You fellows had better skip!" cried the ex- pressman, who had been throwing light packages off his vehicle from in front, where, as yet, there was no fire. "That powder'll go up in another minute. Some of the boxes are beginning to catch now!" he yelled. "Look out!" "That's right!" shouted Tom, as he saw that the edge of one of the wooden cases containing the powder was blazing slightly. "Lively, Ned!" Ned held back only for a second. Then, realiz- ing that the time to act was now or never, and that even if he ran he could hardly save himself, he advanced to Tom's side. The smoke was choking and stifling them, and the flames, coming from beneath the auto truck, made them gasp for breath. Together Tom and Ned tugged at the nearest case of powder the one that was ablaze. "We we can't budge it !" panted Tom. "It it's caught somewhere," added Ned. "Oh, if Koku were only here !" There was a sound behind the lads. A voice exclaimed : "Master want shovel, so Eradicate say here it is!" They turned and saw a big, powerful man, with KOKU'S BRAVE 'ACT 33 a simple, child-like face, standing calmly, looking at the burning auto. "Koku!" cried Tom. "Quick! Never mind the shovel ! Get those powder boxes out of that cart before they go up ! Yank 'em out ! They're too much for Ned and me! Quick!" "Oh, of a courseness I will so do !" said Koku, to whom, even yet, the English language was somewhat of a mystery. He dropped the shovel, and, heedless of the thick smoke from the burning gasoline, reached over and took hold of the near- est box. It seemed as though he pulled it from the auto truck as easily as Tom might have lifted a cork. Then, carrying the box, which was now burn- ing quite fiercely on one corner, over toward Tom and Ned, who had moved back, the giant asked : "What you want of him, Master?" "Put it down, Koku, and get out all the others ! Lively, now, Koku!" "I do," was the simple answer. The giant put the box on the grass and ran back toward the auto. "Quick, Ned!" shouted Tom. "Throw some sand on this burning box ! That will put out the fire!" A few handfuls of earth served to extinguisfi 34 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON the little blaze, and by this time Koku had come back with another box of powder. "Get 'em all, Koku, get 'em all ! Then we can put out the fire on the auto." For the giant it was but child's play to carry the heavy boxes of powder, and soon he had them all removed from the truck. Then, with the danger thus narrowly averted, they all, including the ex- pressman, turned in and began throwing sand on the fire, which now had a good hold on the body of the auto. The shovel, which Eradicate had sent by Koku, who could use more speed than could the aged colored man, came in handy. Soon the fire was out, though not before the truck had been badly damaged, and some of its load destroyed. But, beyond a charring of some of the powder boxes, the explosive was intact. "Whew! That was a lucky escape," mur- mured Tom, as he sat down on one of the boxes, and wiped the smoke and sweat from his face. "A little later and there'd only been a hole in the ground to tell what happened. Hot work; eh, Ned?" "I guess yes, Tom." "I thought of the powder as soon as I saw that the truck was on fire," explained the ex- pressman; "but I didn't know what to do. I was kinder flustered, I guess. This is the second time KOKU'S BRAVE ACT 35 this old truck has caught fire from a leaky gaso- line pipe. I guess that will be the last it will for me, anyhow. I'll resign if they don't give me another machine. Will you sign for your stuff ?" he asked Tom, holding out the receipt book, which had escaped the flames. "Yes, and I'm mighty glad I'm here to sign for it," replied the young inventor. "Now, Koku, I guess you can take that stuff up to the shop; but be careful where you put it." * "I do, Master," replied the giant "What sort of powder is that, Tom?" asked Ned a little later, when they were again back in the office, the excitement having calmed down. The expressman had gone back to town afoot, to arrange about getting another vehicle for what remained of his load. "Is it the kind they use in big guns?" "One of the kinds," replied Tom. "I sent for several samples, and this is one. I'm going to conduct some tests to see what kind I'll need for my own big gun. But I expect I'll have to invent an explosive as well as a cannon, for I want the most powerful I can get. Want to look at some of this powder?" "Yes, if you think it's safe." "Oh, it's safe enough if you treat it right. I'll show you," and working carefully Tom soon had 36 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON one of the boxes open. Reaching into the depths he held up a handful of something that looked like sticks of macaroni. "There it is," he said. "That powder?" cried Ned. "That's a queer kind. I've seen the kind they use in some guns on the battleships. That powder was in hex- agonal form, about two inches across, and had a hole in the centre. It was colored brown." "Well, powder is made in many forms," ex- plained Tom. "A person who has only seen black gunpowder, with its little grains, would not be- lieve that this was one grain of the new powder." "That macaroni stick a grain of powder?" cried Ned. "Yes, we'll call it a grain," went on the young inventor, "just as the brown, hexagonal cube you saw was a grain. You see, Ned, the idea is to explode all the powder at once to get instan- taneous action. It must all burn up at once as soon as it is detonated, or set off. "To do that you have to have every grain acted on at the same moment, and that could not be done if the powder was in one solid chunk, or closely packed. For that reason they make it in different shapes, so it will lie loose in the firing chamber, just as a lot of jack-straws are piled up. In fact, some of the new powder looks like jack-straws. Some, as this, for instance, looks KOKU'S BRAVE ACT 37 like macaroni. Other is in cubes, and some in long strings." As he spoke Tom struck a match and held the flames near the end of one of the "macaroni" sticks. "Caesar's grandmother!" yelled Ned. "Are you crazy, Tom?" and he started to leap for a window. "Don't get excited," spoke Tom, quietly. "There's no danger," and he actually set fire to the stick of queer powder, which burned like some wax taper. "But but " stammered Ned. "It is only when powder is confined' that it explodes," Tom explained. "If it can burn in the open it's as harmless as water, provided you don't burn too much at once. But put it in some- thing where the resulting gases accumulate and can't escape, and then why, you have an explo- sion that's all." "Yes that's all," remarked Ned, grimly, as he nervously watched the burning stick of pow- der. Tom let it flame for a few seconds, and then calmly blew it out. "You know what a little puff black gunpowder gives, if you burn some openly on the ground," went on Tom; "don't you, Ned?" "Sure, I've often done that" 38 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "But put that same powder in a tight box, and set fire to it, and you have a bang instead of a puff. It's the same way with this powder, only it doesn't even puff, for it burns more slowly. "An explosion, you see, is the sudden libera- tion at one time of the gases which result when the powder is burned. If the gases are given off gradually, and in the open, no harm is done. But put a stick like this in, say, a steel box, aft closed up, save a hole for the fuse, and what do you have? An explosion. That's the principle ot all guns and cannon. "But say, Ned, I'm getting to be a regular lec turer. I didn't know I was running on so. Why didn't you stop me?" "Because I was interested. Go on, tell me some more." "Not now. I want to get this powder in a safe place. I'm a little nervous about it after that fire. You see if it had caught, when tightly packed in the boxes, there would have been a terrific explosion, though it does burn so harmlessly in the open air. Now let me see " Tom was interrupted by the postman's whistle, and a little later Eradicate came in with the mail that had been left in the box at the shop door. Tom rapidly looked over the letters. "Here's the note I want, I think," he said, se- KOKU'S BRAVE ACT 39 lecting one. "Yes, this is it 'Permission is hereby granted/ he read, 'to Thomas Swift to visit/ and so on, and so on. This is the stuff, Ned!" he cried. "What is it?" "A permit to visit the government proving grounds at Sandy Hook, Ned, and see 'em test that new big gun I was telling you about. Hur- ray! We'll go down there, and I'll see how my ideas fit in with those of the government's ex- perts." "Did you say 'we' would go down, Tom?" "I sure did. You'll go with me; won't you?" "Well, I hadn't thought very much about it, but I guess I will. When is it?" "A week from to-day, and I'm going to need all that time to get ready. Now let's get busy, and we'll arrange to go to Sandy Hook. I've had trouble enough to get this permit I guess I'll put it where it won't get lost," and he locked it in t secret drawer of his desk. Then the lads stored the powder in a safe place, *nd soon were busy about several matters in the ihop. CHAPTER V OFF TO SANDY HOOK the idea of this government test of the big gun, Tom?" asked Ned. "I got so ex- cited about that near-explosion the other day, that I didn't think to ask you all the particulars." "Why, the idea is to see if the gun will work, and do all that the inventor claims for it," was the answer. "They always put a new gun through more severe tests than anything it will be called on to stand in actual warfare. They want to see just how much margin of safety there is." "Oh, I see. And is this one of the guns that are to be used in fortifying the Panama Canal?" "Well, Ned, I don't know, exactly. You see, the government isn't telling all its secrets. I assume that it is, and that's why I'm anxious to see what sort of a gun it is. "As a matter of fact, I'm going into this thing on a sort of chance, just as dad did when he in- vested in Mr. Peterson's opal mine." 40 OFF TO SANDY HOOK 41 "Do you think anything will come of that, Tom?" "I don't know. If we get down to Panama, after I have made my big gun, we may take a run over, and see how he is making out. But, as I said, I'm going into this big cannon business on a sort of gamble. I have heard, indirectly, that Uncle Sam intends to use a new type of gun in fortifying the Panama Canal. It's about forty- nine miles long, you know, and it will take many guns to cover the whole route, as well as to pro- tect the two entrances." "Not so very many if you make a gun that will shoot thirty miles," remarked Ned, with a smile. "I'm not so sure I can do it," went on Tom. "But, even at that, quite a number of guns will be needed. For if any foreign nation, or any combination of nations, intend to get the canal away from us, they won't make the attack from one point. They'll come at us seven different ways for Sunday, and I've never heard yet of a gun that can shoot seven ways at once. That's why so many will be needed. "But, as I said, I don't know just what type the Ordnance Department will favor, and I want to get a line. Then, even if I invent a cannon that will outshoot all the others, they may not 42 TOM SWIFT 'AND HIS GIANT CANNON take mine. Though if they do, and buy a nunv her of them, I'll be more than repaid for my labor, besides having the satisfaction of helping my country." "Good for you, Tom! I wish it was time to go to Sandy Hook now. I'm anxious to see that big gun. Do you know anything about it?" "Not very much. I have heard that it is not quite as large as the old sixteen-inch rifle that they had to throw away because of some trouble, I don't know just what. It was impractical, in spite of its size and great range. But this new gun they are going to test is considerably smaller, I understand. "It was invented by a General Waller, and is, I think, about twelve inches across at the muzzle. In spite of that comparatively small size, it fires a projectile weighing a thousand pounds, or half a ton, and takes five hundred pounds of powder. Its range, of course, no one knows yet, though I have heard it said that General Waller claims it will shoot twenty miles." "Whew! Some shot!" "I'm going to beat it," declared Tom, "and I want to do it without making such a monstrous gun that it will be difficult to cast it. "You see, Ned, there is, theoretically, nothing to prevent the casting of a steel rifled cannon that OFF TO SANDY HOOK 43 would be fifty inches across at the muzzle, and making it a hundred feet long. I mean it could be done on paper figured out and all that. But whether you would get a corresponding increase in power or range, and be able to throw a rela- tively larger projectile, is something no one knows, for there never has been such a gun made. Besides, the strain of the big charge of powder needed would be enormous. So I don't want merely to make a giant cannon. I want one that will do a giant's work, and still be somewhere in the middle-sized class." "I see. Well, you'll probably get some points at Sandy Hook." "I think so. We go day after to-morrow." "Is Mr. Damon going?* "I think not. If he does I'll have to get another pass, for mine only calls for two persons. I got it through a Captain Badger, a friend of mine, stationed at the Sandy Hook barracks. He doesn't have anything to do with the coast defense guns, but he got the pass to the proving grounds for me." Tom and his chum talked for some time about the prospects for making a giant cannon, and then the young inventor, with Ned's aid, made some powder tests, using some of the explosive that had so nearly caught fire. 44 TOM SWIFT 'AND HIS GIANT CANNON "It isn't just what I want," Tom decided, after he had put small quantities in little steel bombs, and exploded them, at a safe distance, and under a bank of earth, by means of an electric primer. "Why, Tom, that powder certainly burst the bombs all to pieces," said Ned, picking up a shattered piece of steel. "I know, but it isn't powerful enough for me. I'm going to send for samples of another kind, and if I can't get what I want I'll make my own powder. But come on now, this stuff gives me a headache. Let's take a little flight in the Humming Bird. We'll go see Mr. Damon," and soon the two lads were in the speedy little mono- plane, skimming along like the birds. The fresh air soon blew way their headaches, caused by the fumes from the nitro-glycerine, which was the basis of the powder. Dynamite will often produce a headache in those who work with it. Two days later Tom and Ned set off for Sandy Hook. This long, neck-like strip of land on the New Jersey coast is, as most of you know, one of the principal defenses of our country. Foreign vessels that steam into New York harbor first have to pass the line of terrible guns that, back of the earth and concrete defenses, OFF. TO SANDY HOOK 45 look frowningly out to sea. It is a wonderful place. On the Sandy Hook Bay side of the Hook there is a life-saving station. Right across, on the sea side, are the big guns. Between are the barracks where the soldiers live, and part of the land is given over to a proving ground, where many of the big guns are taken to be tested, Tom and Ned reached New York City without incident of moment, and, after a night spent at a hotel, they went to the Battery, whence the small government steamer leaves every day for Sandy Hook. It is a trip of twenty-one miles, and as the bay was rather rough that day, Tom and Ned had a taste of a real sea voyage. But they were too experienced travelers to mind that, though some other visitors were made quite ill. A landing was made on the bay side of the Hvx>k, it being too rough to permit of a dock being constructed on the ocean side. "Now we'll see what luck we have," spoke Tom, as he and Ned, inquiring the way to the proving grounds from a soldier on duty, started for them. On the way they passed some of the fortifications. "Look at that gun!" exclaimed Ned, pointing to a big cannon which seemed to be crouched down in a sort of concrete pit. "How can thejr 46 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON fire that, Tom? Tke muzzle points directly at the stone wall Does the wall open when they want to fire?" "No, the gun raises up, peeps over the -wall, so to speak, shoots out its projectile, and then crouches down again." "Oh, you mean a disappearing gun." "That's it, Ned. See, it works by compi^essed air," and Tom showed his chum how, when the gun was loaded, the projectile in place, and the breech-block screwed fast, the officer in charge of the firing squad would, on getting the range from the soldier detailed to calculate it, make the ne- cessary adjustments, and pull the lever. The compressed air would fill the cylinders, forcing the gun to rise on toggle-jointed arms, so that the muzzle was above the bomb-proof wall Then it would be fired, and sink back again, out of sight of the enemy. The boys looked at several different types of big rifled cannon, and then passed on. They could hear firing in the distance, some of the ex- plosions shaking the ground. "They're making some tests now," said Tom, hurrying forward. Ned followed until, passing a sort of machine shop, the lads came to where a sentry paced up and down a concrete walk. OFF TO SANDY HOOK 47 "Are these the proving grounds ?" asked Tom. "This is the entrance to them," replied the soldier, bringing his rifle to "port," according to the regulations. "What do you want?" "To go in and watch the gun tests," replied Tom. "I have a permit," and he held it out so the soldier could see it "That permit is no good here/' the sentry ex- claimed. "No good?" faltered Tom. "No, it has to be countersigned by General Waller. And, as he's on the proving grounds now, you can't see him. He's getting ready for the test of his new cannon." "But that's just what we want to see!" cried Tom. "We want to get in there purposely for that. Can't you send word to General Waller?" "I can't leave my post," replied the sentry, shortly. "You'll have to come another time, when the General isn't busy. You can't get in unless he countersigns that permit." "Then it may be too late to witness the test," objected the young inventor. "Isn't there some way I can get word to him ?" "I don't think so," replied the sentry. "And I'll have to ask you to leave this vicinity. No strangers are allowed on the proving grounds without a proper pass." CHAPTER VI TESTING THE WALLER GUN TOM looked at Ned in dismay. After all their work and planning, to be thus thwarted, and by a mere technicality ! As they stood there, hardly knowing what to do, the sound of a tremendous explosion came to their ears from behind the big pile of earth and concrete that formed the bomb- proof around the testing ground. "What's that?" cried Ned, as the earth shook. "Just trying some of the big guns," explained the sentry, who was not a bad-natured chap. He had to do his duty. "You'd better move on," he suggested. "If anything happens the government isn't responsible, you know." "I wish there was some way of getting in there," murmured Tom. "You can see General Waller after the test, and he will probably countersign the permit," explained the sentry. 48 TESTING THE WALLER GUN. 49 "And we won't see the test of the gun I'm most interested in/' objected Tom. "If I could only " He stopped as he noticed the sentry salute someone coming up from the rear. Tom and Ned turned to behold a pleasant-faced officer, who, at the sight of the young inventor, exclaimed : "Well, well! If it isn't my old friend Tom Swift ! So you got here on my permit after all ?" "Yes, Captain Badger," replied the lad, and then with a rueful face he added : "But it doesn't seem to be doing me much good. I can't get into the proving grounds." "You can't? Why not?" and he looked sharply at the sentry. "Very sorry, sir," spoke the man on guard, "but General Waller has left orders, Captain Badger, that no outsiders can enter the proving grounds when his new gun is being tested unless he countersigns the permits. And he's engaged just now. I'm sorry, but " "Oh, that's all right, Flynn," said Captain Badger. "It isn't your fault, of course. I sup- pose there is no rule against my going in there ?" and he smiled. "Certainly not, sir. Any officer may go in," and the guard stepped to one side. "Let me have that pass, Tom, and wait here for 50 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON me," said the Captain. "I'll see what I can do for you," and the young officer, whose acquaint- ance Tom had made at the tests when the gov- ernment was purchasing some aeroplanes for the army, hurried off. He came back presently, and by his face the lads knew he had been successful. "It's all right," he said with a smile. "General Waller countersigned the pass without even look- ing at it. He's so excited over the coming test of his gun that he hardly knows what he is doing. Come on in, boys. Ill go with you." "Then they haven't tested his gun yet?" asked Tom, eagerly, anxious to know whether he had missed anything. "No, they're going to do so in about half an hour. You'll have time to look around a bit. Come on," and showing the sentinel the counter- signed pass, Captain Badger led the two youths into the proving grounds. Tom and Ned saw so much to interest them that they did not know &t which to look first. In some places officers and firing squads were test- ing small-calibre machine guns, which shot off a round with a noise like a string of firecrackers on the Chinese New Year's. On other barbettes larger guns were being tested, the noise being almost deafening. TESTING THE WALLER GUN 51' "Stand on your tiptoes, and open your moutfi when you see a big cannon about to be fired," advised Captain Badger, as he walked alongside the boys. "What good does that do?" inquired Ned. "It makes your contact with the earth as small as possible standing on your toes/' the officer explained, "and so reduces the tremor. Opening your mouth, in a measure, equalizes the changed air pressure, caused by the vacuum made when the powder explodes. In other words, you get the same sort of pressure down inside your throat, and in the tubes leading to the ear the same pressure inside, as outside. "Often the firing of big guns will burst the ear drums of the officers near the cannon, and this may often be prevented by opening the mouth. It's just like going through a deep tunnel, or sometimes when an elevator descends quickly from a great height. There is too much outside air pressure on the ear drums. By opening your mouth and swallowing rapidly, the pressure is nearly equaled, and you feel no discomfort." The boys tried this when the next big gun was fired, and they found it true. They noticed quite a crowd of officers and men about a certain large barbette, and Captain Badger led them in that direction. 52 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "Is that General Waller's gun?" asked Tom. "That's where they are going to test it," was the answer. ^ Eagerly Tom and Ned pressed forward. No one of the many officers and soldiers grouped about the new cannon seemed to notice them. A tall man, who seemed very nervous and excited, was hurrying here and there, giving orders rapidly. "How is that range now ?" he asked. "Let me take a look! Are you sure the patrol vessels are far enough out? I think this projectile is going farther than any of you gentlemen have calculated." "I believe we have correctly estimated the dis- tance," answered someone, and the two entered into a discussion. "That excited officer is General Waller," ex- plained Captain Badger, in a low voice, to Tom and Ned. "I guessed as much," replied the young in- ventor. Then he went closer to get a better look at the big cannon. I say big cannon, and yet it was not the largest the government had. In fact, Tom estimated the calibre to be less than twelve inches, but the can- non was very long much longer in proportion than guns of greater muzzle diameter. Then, TESTING THE WALLER GUN 53 too, the breech, or rear part, was very thick and heavy. "He must be going to use a tremendous lot of powder," said Tom. "He is," answered Captain Badger. "Some of us think he is going to use too much, but he says it is impossible to burst his gun. He wants to make a long-range record shot, and maybe he win." "That's a new kind of breech block," com- mented Tom, as he watched the mechanism being operated. "Yes, that's General Waller's patent, too. They're going to fire soon." I might explain, briefly, for the benefit of you boys who have never seen a big, modern cannon, that it consists of a central core of cast steel. This is rifled, just as a small rifle is bored, with twisted grooves throughout its length. The grooves, or rifling, impart a twisting motion to the projec- tiles, and keep them in a straighter line. After the central core is made and rifled, thick jackets of steel are "shrunk" on over the rear part of the gun. Sometimes several jackets are put on, one over the other, to make the gun Stronger. If you have ever seen a blacksmith put a tire OH a wheel vou will understand what I mean. 54 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON The tire is heated, and this expands it, or makes it larger. It is put on hot, and when it cools it shrinks, getting smaller, and gripping the rim of the wheel in a strong embrace. That is what the jackets of steel do to the big guns. A big rifled cannon is loaded from the rear, or breech, just as is a breech-loading shotgun of rifle. That is, the cannon is opened at the back and the projectile is put in by means of a derrick, for often the projectiles weigh a thousand pounds or more. Next comes the powder hundreds o{ pounds of it and then it is necessary to close the breech. The breech block does this. That block is a ponderous piece of steel, quite complicated, and it swings on a hinge fastened to one side of the rear of the gun. Once it is swung back into place, it is made fast by means of screw threads, wedges or in whatever way the inventor of the gun deems best. The breech block must be very strong, and held firmly in place, or the terrific force of the powder would blow it out, wreck the gun and kill those behind it. You see, the breech block really stands a great part of the strain. The powder is be- tween it and the projectile, and there is a sort of warfare to see which will give way the projectile w the block. In most cases the projectile grace- TESTING THE WALLER GUN 55 fully bows, so to speak, and skips out of the muz- zle of the gun, though sometimes the big breech block will be shattered. With eager eyes Tom and Ned watched the preparations for firing the big gun. The charge of powder was hoisted out of the bomb-proof chamber below the barbette, and then the great projectile was brought up in slings. At the sight of that Tom realized that the gun was no ordi- nary one, for the great piece of steel was nearly three feet long, and must have weighed nearly a thousand pounds. Truly, much powder would be needed to send that on its way. "I'm afraid, General, that you are using too much of that strong powder," Tom heard one officer say to the inventor of the gun. "It may burst the breech." "Nonsense, Colonel Washburn. I tell you it is impossible to burst my gun impossible, sir! I have allowed for every emergency, and calculated every strain. I have a margin of safety equal to fifty per cent" "Very well, I hope it proves a success." "Of course it will. It is impossible to burst my gun! Now, are we ready for the test" The gun was rather crude in form, not hav- ing received its final polish, and it was mounted on a temporary carriage. But even with that 56 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON Tom could see that it was a wonderful weapon, though he thought he would have put on another jacket toward the muzzle, to further strengthen that portion. "I'm going to make a gun bigger than that," said Tom to Ned. He spoke rather louder than he intended, and, as it was at a moment when there was a period of silence, the words carried to General Waller, who was at that moment near iTom. "What's that?" inquired the rather fiery-tem- pered officer, as he looked sharply at our hero. "I said I was going to make a larger gun than that," repeated Tom, modestly. "Sir! Do you know what you are saying? How did you come in here, anyhow ? I thought no civilians were to be admitted to-day! Explain how you got here !" Tom felt an angry flush mounting to his cheeks. "I came in here on a pass countersigned by you," he replied. "A pass countersigned by me? Let me see it." Tom passed it over. "Humph, it doesn't seem to be forged," went on the pompous officer. "Who are you, any- how?" TESTING THE WALLER GUff 53 "Tom Swift" "Hum!" "General Waller, permit me to introduce Tom Swift to you," spoke Captain Badger, stepping forward, and trying not to smile. "He is one of our foremost inventors. It is his type of monoplane that the government has adopted for the coming maneuvers at Panama, you may re- call, and he was very helpful to Uncle Sam in stopping that swindling on the border last year Tom and his big searchlight Mr. Swift, Gen- eral Waller," and Captain Badger bowed as he completed the introduction. "What's that Tom Swift here? Let me meet him!" exclaimed an elderly officer coming through the crowd. The others parted to make way for him, as he seemed to be a person of some importance, to judge by his uniform, and the medals he wore. "Tom Swift here!" he went on. "I want to shake hands with you, Tom ! I haven't seen you since I negotiated with you for the purchase of those submarines you invented, and which have done such splendid service for the government Tom, I'm glad to see you here to-day." The face of General Waller was a study in blank amazement CHAPTER VII THE IMPOSSIBLE OCCURS THERE were murmurs throughout the thfong about the big gun, as the officer approached Tom Swift and shook hands with him. "What have you in mind now, Tom, that you come to Sandy Hook?" the much-medaled officer asked. "Nothing much, Admiral," answered our hero. "Oh, yes, you have !" returned Admiral Wood-* burn, head of the naval forces of Uncle Sam, "You've got some idea in your head, or you wouldn't come to see this test of my friend's gun. Well, if you can invent anything as good for coast defense, or even interior defense, as your submarines, it will be in keeping with what you have done in the past I congratulate you, Gen- eral Waller, on having Tom Swift here to give you the benefit of some of his ideas." "I I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Swift before," said the gun inventor, stiffly. "I 58 THE IMPOSSIBLE OCCURS 59 did not recognize his name when I countersigned his pass." It was plain that the greeting of Tom by Ad- miral Woodburn had had a marked effect in changing sentiment toward our hero. Captain Badger smiled as he noticed with what different eyes the gun inventor now regarded the lad. "Well, if Tom Swift gives you any points about your gun, you want to adopt them," went oai the Admiral. "I thought I knew something about submarines, but Tom taught me some things, too; didn't you, Tom?" "Oh, it was just a simple matter, Admiral," said Tom, modestly. "Just that little point about the intake valves and the ballast tanks." "But they changed the whole matter. Yes, General, you take Tom's advice if he gives you any." "I don't know that I will need any as yet," replied General Waller. "I am confident my gun will be a success as it is at present constructed. Later, however, if I should decide to make any changes, I will gladly avail myself of Mr. Swift's counsel," and he bowed stiffly to Tom. "We will now proceed with the test," he went on. "Kindly send a wireless to the patrol ships that we are about to fire, and ask them to note carefully where the projectile falls" 60 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "Very good, sir," spoke the officer in inline-, diate charge of the matter, as he saluted. Soon from the aerials snapped the vicious sparks that told of the wireless telegraph being worked. I might explain that near the spot where the projectile was expected to fall into the sea about fifteen miles from Sandy Hook several war vessels were stationed to warn shipping to give the place a wide berth. This was easy, since the big gun had been aimed at a spot outside of the steamship lanes. Aiming the rifle in a certain direction, and giving it a definite angle of inclination, made it practically certain just where the shot would fall. This is called "getting the range," and while, of course, the exact limit of fire of the new gun was not known, it had been computed as nearly as possible. "Is everything ready now?" asked General Waller, while Tom was conversing with his friends, Captain Badger and Admiral Woodburn, Ned taking part in the conversation from time to time. "All ready, sir," was the assurance. The in- ventor was plainly nervous as the crucial moment of the test approached. He went here and there upon the barbette, testing the various levers and gear wheels of the gun. 'The projectile and powder had been put in, the 6i breech-block screwed into place, the primer had been inserted, and all that remained was to press the button that would make the electrical con- nection, and explode the charge. This act of firing the gun had been intrusted to one of the soldiers, for General Waller and his brother offi- cers were to retire to a bomb-proof, whence they would watch the effect of the fire, and note the course of the projectile. "It seems to me," remarked Ned, "that the soldier who is going to fire the gun is in the most danger." "He would be if it exploded," spoke Tom, for his officer friends had joined their colleagues, most of whom were now walking toward the shelter. "But I think there is little danger. "You see, the electric wires are long enough to enable him to stand some distance from the gun. And, if he likes, he can crouch behind that concrete wall of the next barbette. Still, there is some chance of an accident, for, no matter how carefully you calculate the strain of a bursting charge of powder, and how strongly you con- struct the breech-block to stand the strain, there is always the possibility of a flaw in the metal. So, Ned, I think we'll just go to the bomb-proof ourselves, when we see General Waller making for the same place." 6a TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "I suppose," remarked Ned, "that in actual warfare anyone who fired one of the big guns would have to stand close to it closer than that soldier is now." "Oh, yes much," replied Tom, as he watched General Waller giving the last instructions to the private who was to press the button. "Only, of course, in war the guns will have been tested, and this one has not. Here he comes; I guess we'd better be moving." General Waller, having assured himself that everything was as right as possible, had given the last word to the private and was now making his way toward the bomb-proof, within which were gathered his fellow-officers and friends. "You had better retire from the immediate vicinity of the gun," said its inventor to Tom and Ned, as he passed them. "For, while I have absolute confidence in my cannon, and I know that it is impossible to burst it, the concussion may be unpleasant at such close range." "Thank you," said Tom. "We are going to get in a safe place." 'He could not refrain from contrasting the gen- eral's manner now with what it had been at first. As for Ned, he could not help wondering why, if the inventor had such absolute faith in his THE IMPOSSIBLE 'OCCURS 63 weapon, he did not fire it himself, even at the risk of a "concussion." How it happened was never accurately known, as the soldier declared positively after he came out of the hospital that he had not pressed the button. The theory was that the wires had be- come crossed, making- a short circuit, which caused the gun to go off prematurely. But suddenly, while Tom, Ned and General Waller were still some distance away from the bomb-proof, there was a terrific explosion. It seemed as if the very foundations of the fortifica- tions would be shattered There was a roaring in the air a hot burst of flame, and instantly such a vacuum was created that Tom and Ned found themselves gasping for breath. Dazed, shaken in every bone, with their mus- cles sore, they picked themselves up from the ground, along which they had been blown with great force in the direction of the bomb-proof. Even as Tom struggled to his feet, intending to run to safety in fear of other explosions, he real- ized what had happened. "What what was it?" cried Ned, as he, too, arose. "The gun burst!" yelled Tom. He looked to the left and saw General Waller picking himself up, his uniform torn, and blood 64 TOM SWIFT 'AND TJIS 'GIANT CANNON streaming from a cut on his face. At the same instant Tom was aware of the body of a man flying through the air toward a distant grass plot, and the young inventor recognized it as that of the soldier who had been detailed to fire the great cannon. Almost instantaneously as everything happened, Tom was aware of noticing several things, as though they took place in sequence. He looked toward where the gun had stood. It was in ruins. The young inventor saw something, which he took to be the projectile, skimming across the sea waves, and he had a fleeting glimpse of the greater portion of the immense weapon itself sinking into the depths of the ooean. Then, coming down from a great height in the air, he saw a dark object. It was another piece of the cannon that had been hurled skyward. "Look out!" Tom yelled, instinctively, as he staggered toward the bomb-proof, Ned following. He saw a number of officers running out to assist General Waller, who seemed too dazed to move. Many of them had torn uniforms, and not a few were bleeding from their injuries. Then the air seemed filled with a rain of small missiles stones, dirt, gravel and pieces of metaL CHAPTER VIII A BIG PROBLEM "ARE you much hurt, Ned?" Tom Swift bent anxiously over the prostrate form of his chum. A big piece of the burst gun had fallen close to Ned so close, in fact, that Tom, who saw it as he neared the entrance to the bomb-proof, shuddered as he raced back. But there was no sign of injury on his chum. "Are you much hurt, Ned?" The lad's eyes opened. He seemed dazed. "No no, I guess not," he answered, slowly. "I I guess I'm as much scared as hurt Tom, It was the wind from that big piece that knocked me down. It didn't actually hit me." "No, I should say not," put in Captain Badger, who had run out toward the two lads. "If it had hit you there wouldn't have been much of you left to tell the tale," and he nodded toward the big piece of metal Tom had seen coming down Irom the sky. That part of the cannon forming 55 66 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON a portion of the breech had buried itself deep in the earth. It had landed close to Ned so close that, as he said, the wind of it, as well as the concussion, perhaps, had thrown him with enough force to send the breath from him. "Glad to hear that, old man !" exclaimed Tom, with a sigh of relief. "If you'd been hurt I should have blamed myself." "That would have been foolish. I took the same chance that you did," answered Ned, as he arose, and limped off between the captain and Tom. !A great silence seemed to have followed the terrific report. And now the officers and soldiers began to recover from the stupor into which the accident had thrown them. Sentries began pour- ing into the proving grounds from other portions of the barracks, and an ambulance call was sent in. General Waller's comrades had hurried out to him, and were now leading him away. He did not seem to be much hurt, though, like many others, he had received numerous cuts and scratches from bits of stone and gravel scattered by the explosion, as well as from small bits of metal that were thrown in all directions. "Are you hurt, General?" asked Admiral [Woodburn, as he put his arm about the shoulden of the inventor. 'A BIG PROBLEM 675 "No that is to say, I don't think so. But what happened? Did they fire some other gun in our direction by mistake ?" For a moment they all hesitated. Then the Admiral said, gently: "No, General. It was your own gun it burst." "My gun! My gun burst?" "That was it. Fortunately, no one was killed." "My gun burst! How could that happen? I 3rew every plan for that gun myself. I made every allowance. I tell you it was impossible for it to burst !" "But it did burst, General," went on the Ad- miral. "You can see for yourself," and he turned around and waved his hand toward the barbette where the gun had been mounted. All that re- mained of it now was part of the temporary car- riage, and a small under-portion of the muzzle. The entire breech, with the great block, had been blown into fragments, so powerful was the pow- der used. The projectile, one watcher reported, had gone about three hundred yards over the top of the barbette and then dropped into the sea, very little of the force of the explosive having been expended on that A large piece of the gun had also been lost in the water off shore. "My gun burst! My gun burst!" murmured 68 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON General Waller, as if unable to comprehend it "My gun burst it is impossible !" "But it did," spoke Admiral Woodburn, softly. "Come, you had better see tfie surgeon. You may be more seriously injured than you think." "Was anyone else hurt?" asked the inventor, listlessly. He seemed to have lost all interest, for the time being. "No one seriously, as far as we can learn," was the answer. "What of the man who fired the gun?" in- quired the General. "He was blown high into the air," said Tom. "I saw him." "But he is not injured beyond some bruises," put in one of the ambulance surgeons. "We have taken him to the hospital. He fell on a pile of bags that had held concrete, and they saved him. It was a miraculous escape." "I am glad of it," said General Waller. "It is bad enough to feel that I made some mistake, causing the gun to burst ; but I would never cease to reproach myself if I felt that the man who fired it was killed, or even hurt." His friends led him away, and Tom and Ned went over to look at what remained of the great gun. Truly, the powder, expending its force in a direction not meant for it, had done terrific havoc, 'A BIG PROBLEM 69 Even part of the solid concrete bed of the bar- bette had been torn up. An official inquiry was at once started, and, while it would take some time to complete it (for the parts of the gun remaining were to be sub- jected to an exhaustive test to determine the cause of the weakness), it was found that there was some defect in the wiring and battery that was used to fire the charge. The soldier who was to press the button was sure he had not done so, as he had been ordered to wait until General Waller gave the signal from the bomb-proof. But the gun went off before its inventor reached that place of safety. Just what had caused the premature discharge could never be learned, as part of the firing apparatus had been blown to atoms. "Well, Tom, what do you think of it?" asked Ned, who had now fully recovered from the shock. The two were about to leave the proving grounds, having seen all that they cared to. "I don't know just what to think," was the an- swer. "It sure was a big explosion, and it goes to prove that, no matter how many calculations you make, when you try a new powder in a new gun you don't know what's going to happen, until after it has happened and then it's too late. It's a big problem, Ned." 70 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "Do you think you can solve it ? Are you still going on with your plan to build the biggest cannon ever made?" "I sure am, Ned, though I don't know that I'll make out any better than General Waller did. It's too bad his was a failure; but I think I see where he made some mistakes." "Oh, you do ; eh ?" suddenly exclaimed a voice, and from a nearby parapet, where he had gone to look at one of the pieces of his gun, stepped Gen- eral Waller. "So you think I made some mis- takes, Tom Swift? Where, pray?" "In making the breech. The steel jackets were of uneven thickness, making the strain unequal Then, too, I do not think the powder was suf- ficiently tested. It was probably of uneven strength. That is only my opinion, sir." "Well, you are rather young to give opinions to men who have devoted almost all their lives to the study of high explosives." "I realize that, sir; but you asked me for my opinion. I shall hope to profit by your mistakes, too. That is one reason I wanted to see this test" "Then you are seriously determined to make a gun that you think will rival mine." "I am, General Waller." "For what purpose to sell to some foreign government?" A BIG PROBLEM 71 "No, sir !" cried Tom, with flashing eyes. "If I am successful in making a cannon that will fire the longest shots on record, I shall offer it to Uncle Sam first of all. If he does not want it, I |shall not dispose of it to any foreign country !" "Hum! Well, I don't believe you'll succeed. I intend to rebuild my gun at once, though I may make some changes in it. I am sure I shall suc- ceed the next time. But as for you a mere youth to hope to rival men who have made this problem a life-study it is preposterous, sir! Ut- terly preposterous!" and he uttered these words much as he had declared that it was impossible for his gun to burst, even after it was in frag- fcients. "Come on, Ned," said Tom, in a low voice. "We'll go back home." CHAPTER IX THE NEW POWDER "BLESS my cartridge belt, Tom, you don't really mean to say that stuff is powder!" ex- claimed Mr. Damon. "That's what I hope it will prove to be and powerful powder at that." "Why, it looks more like excelsior than any- thing else," went on the odd man, gingerly taking up some yellowish shreds in his fingers. "And it will burn as harmlessly as excelsior in the open air," went on Tom. "But I hope to prove, when it is confined in a chamber, that it will be highly explosive. I'm going to make a test of it soon." "Give me good notice, so I can get over in the next State!" exclaimed Ned Newton, with a laugh. This was several days after our friends had returned from the disastrous gun test at Sandy 72 THE NEW POWDER 73 Hook. Tom had at once gotten to work on the problem that confronted him a problem of his own making to build a giant cannon that would make the longest shots on record. And he had first turned his attention to the powder, or explo- sive, to be used. "For," he said, "there is no use having a big gun unless you can fire it. And the gun I am planning will need something more powerful in the powder line than any I've ever heard of." "Stronger than the kind General Waller used?" inquired Ned "Yes, but I'll make my cannon correspondingly Stronger, too, so there will be no danger." "Bless my shoe buttons!" exclaimed Mr. Da- mon. "You boys must have had your nerve with you to stay around Sandy Hook after that gun Went up in the air." "Oh, the danger was all over soon after it be- gan," spoke Tom, with a smile. "But now I'm going to test some of this powder. If you want to run away, Mr. Damon, I'll have Koku take you up an one of the airships, and you'll certainly be safe a mile or so in the air," for Tom had instructed his giant servant how to run one of the simpler biplanes. "No no, Tom, I'll stick!" exclaimed the ec- centric man. "I'll not promise not to hide behind 74 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON' the fence, or something like that, though, Tom; but I'll stick." "So will I," added Ned. "How are you going to make the test, Tom ?" "I'll tell you in a minute. I want to do a little figuring first." Tom had, before going to Sandy Hook, made some experiments in powder manufacturing, but they had not been very satisfactory. He had not been able to get power enough. On his return he had undertaken rather a daring innovation. He had mingled two varieties of powder, and the resulting combination would, he hoped, prove just what he wanted. The powder was in gelatin form, being made with nitro-glycerine as a base. It looked, as Mr. Damon had said, like a bunch of excelsior, only it was yellow instead of white, and it felt not un- like pieces of dry macaroni. "I have shredded the powder in this manner," Tom explained, "so that it will explode more evenly and quickly. I want it to burn as nearly instantaneously as possible, and I think it will in this form." "But how are you going to tell how powerful it is unless you fire it in a cannon?" asked Ned. "And you haven't even started your big gun yet." "Oh, I'll show you," declared Tom. "There THE NEW POWDER 75 are several ways of making a test, but I have one of my own. I am going to take a solid block of stee/, df known weight say about a hundred pounds. This I will put into a sort of square cylinder, or well, closed at the bottom somewhat like the breech of a gun. The block of steel fits so closely in the square well that no air or powder gas can pass it "In the bottom of this well, which may be a foot square, I will put a small charge of this new powder. On top of that will come the steel block. Then by means of electric wires I can fire the charge. "Attached to the steel well, or chamber, will be a gauge, a pressure recorder and other apparatus. When the powder, of which I will use only a pinch, carefully weighing it, goes off, it will raise the hundred-pound weight a certain distance. This will be noted on the scale. There will also be shown the amount of pressure released in the gas given off by the powder. In that way I can make some calculations." "How ?" asked Ned, who was much interested. "Well, for instance, if one ounce of powder raises the weight three feet, and gives a muzzle pressure of, say, five hundred pounds, I can easily compute what a thousand pounds of powder, act- y6 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON. ing on a projectile weighing two tons and a half, would do, and how far it would shoot it." "Bless my differential gear!" cried Mr. Da- mon. "A projectile weighing two and a half tons! Tom, it's impossible!" "'That's what General Waller said about his gun; but it burst, just the same," declared Ned. "Poor man, I felt sorry for him. He seemed rather put out at you, Tom." "I guess he was a bit though I didn't mean anything disrespectful in what I said. But now we'll have this test. Koku, take the rest of this powder back. I'll only keep a small quantity." The giant, who, being more active than Eradi- cate, had rather supplanted the aged colored man, did as he was bid, and soon Tom, with Ned and Mr. Damon to help him, was preparing for the test. They went some distance away from any of the buildings, for, though Tom was only going to use a small quantity of the explosive, he did not just know what the result would be, and he wanted to take no chances. "I know from personal experience what the two kinds of powder from which I made this sam- ple will do," he said; "but it is like taking two known quantities and getting a third unknown one from them. There is an unequal force be- THE NEW POWDER 77 tween the two samples that may make an en- tirely new compound." The steel chamber that was to receive the hun- dred-pound steel block had been prepared in ad- vance, as had the various gauges and registering apparatus. "Well, I guess well start things moving now," went on Tom, as he looked over the things he had brought from his shops to the deserted meadow. The fact of the test had been kept a secret, so there were no spectators. "Ned, give me a hand with this block" Tom went on. "It's a little too heavy to lift alone." He was straining and tugging at the heavy piece of steel. "Me do!" exclaimed Koku the giant, gently pushing Tom to one side. Then the big man, with one hand, raised the hundred-pound weight as easily as if it were a loaf of bread, and de- posited it where Tom wanted it. "Thanks!" exclaimed our hero, with a laugh. "I didn't make any mistake when I brought you home with me, Koku." "Huh! I could hab lifted dat weight when I was a young feller!" exclaimed Eradicate, who was, it is needless to say, jealous of the giant The powder had been put in the firing chamber. The steel socket had been firmly fixed in tha earth, so that if the force of the explosion was in 78 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON a lateral direction, instead of straight up, no damage would result. The weight, even if it shot from the muzzle of the improvised "cannon," would only go harmlessly up in the air, and then drop back. The firing wires were so long that Tom and his friends could stand some distance away. "Are you all ready?" cried Torn, as he looked to see that the wiring was clear. "As ready as we ever shall be," replied Mr. Damon, who, with Ned and the others, had taken refuge behind a low hill. "Oh, this isn't going to be much of an explo- sion," laughed Tom. "It won't be any worse than a Fourth of July cannon. Here she goes!" He pressed the electric button, there was a flash, a dull, muffled report and, for a moment, something black showed at the top of the steel chamber. Then it dropped back inside again. "Pshaw!" cried Tom, in disappointed tones. "It didn't even blow the weight out of the tube. That powder's no good ! It's a failure !" Followed by the others, the young inventor started toward the small square "cannon." Tom wanted to read the records made by the gases. Suddenly Koku cried : "There him be, master! There him be!" and THE NEW POWDER 79 he pointed toward a distant path that traversed the meadow. "He? Whom do you mean?" asked Tom, startled by the giant's excited manner. "That man what come and look at Master's new powder," was the unexpected answer. "Him say he want to surprise you, and he come to-day, but no speak. He run away. Look him go!" and he pointed toward a figure of distinctly mili- tary bearing hurrying along the road that led to Shopton. CHAPTER X SOMETHING WRONG "BLESS my buttons !"cried Mr. Damon. "Let's chase after him!" yelled Ned. "Koku kin run de fastest ob any ob us," put in Eradicate. "Let him go." "Hold on wait a minute!" exclaimed Tom. "We want to know who that man is and why we're going to chase after htm. Koku, I guess it's up to you. Something has been going on here that I don't know anything about. Explain !" "Well, it's no use to chase after him now," said Ned. "There he goes on his motor-cycle." As he spoke the man, who, even from a rear view, presented all the characteristics of an army man, so straight was his carriage, leaped upon a motor-cycle that he pulled from the roadside bushes, and soon disappeared in a cloud of dust "No, he's gone," spoke Tom, half-regretfully. "But who was he, Koku ? You seemed to know 80 SOMETHING WRONG gi him. What was he doing out here, watching my test?" "Me tell," said the giant, simply. "Little whfle after Master come back from where him say big gun all go smash, man come to shop when Master out one day. Him very nice man, and him say him know you, and want to help you make big cannon. I say, 'Master no be at home.' Man say him want to give master a little present of powder for use in new cannon. Master be much pleased, man say. Make powder better. I take, and I want Master to be pleased. I put stuff what man gave me in new powder. Man go away he laugh he say he be here to-day see what happen I tell him you go to make test to-day. Man say Master be much surprised. That all I know." Silence followed Koku's statement. To Ned and Mr. Damon it was not exactly clear, but Tom better understood his giant servant's queer talk. "Is that what you mean, Koku?" asked the young inventor, after a pause. "Did some stran- ger come here one day when I was out, after I had made my new powder, and did he give you some 'dope' to put in it?" "What you mean by 'dope' ?" "I mean any sort of stuff." "Yes, man give me something like sugar, and g 2 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON I sprinkle it on new powder for to surprise Master." "Well, you've done it, all right," said Tom,' grimly. "Have you any of the stuff left ?" "I put all in iron box where Master keep new powder." "Well, then some of it must be there yet.' Probably it sifted through the excelsior-like grains of my new explosive, and we'll find it on the bottom of the powder-case. But enough stuck to the strands to spoil my test I'll just take a reading of the gauges, and then we'll make an investigation." Tom, with Ned to help him, made notes of how- far the weight had risen in the tube, and took data of other points in the experiment "Pshaw!" exclaimed Tom. "There wasn't much more force to my new powder, doped as it apparently has been, than to the stuff I can buy in the open market. But I'm glad I know what the trouble is, for I can remedy it. Come on back to the shop. Koku, don't you ever do anything like this again," and Tom spoke severely. "No, Master," answered the giant, humbly. "Did you ever see this man before, Koku?" "No, Master." "What kind of a fellow was he ?" asked Ned. "Oh, him got whiskers on him face, and stand SOMETHING WRONG 83 very straight, like stick bending backwards. Him look like a soldier, and him blink one eye more than the other." Tom and Ned started and looked at one another. "That description fits General Waller," said Ned, in a low voice to his chum. "Yes, in a way; but it would be out of the question for the General to do such a thing. Be- sides, the man who ran away, and escaped on his motor-cycle, was larger than General Waller." "It was hard to tell just what size he was at the distance," spoke Ned. "It doesn't seem as though he would try to spoil your experiments, though." "Maybe he hoped to spoil my cannon," re- marked Tom, with a laugh that had no mirth in it "My cannon that isn't cast yet He probably misunderstood Koku's story of the test, and had no idea it was only a miniature, experimental, gun. "This will have to be looked into. I can't have strangers prowling about here, now that I am going to get to work on a new invention. Koku, I expect you, after this, not to let strangers ap- proach unless I give the word. Eradicate, the same thing applies to you. You didn't see any- thing of this mysterious man ; did you ?" 84 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "No, Massa Tom. De only s'picious man I see was mah own cousin sneakin' around mah chicken coop de odder night. I tooks mah ote shot gun, an* sa'ntered out dat way. Den in a little while dere wasn't no s'picious man any mo'." "You didn't shoot him; did you, Rad?" cried Tom, quickly. "No, Massa Tom dat is, I didn't shoot on puppose laik. De gun jest natchelly went off by itself accidental-laik, an' it peppered him good an' proper." "Why, Rad!" cried Ned. "You didn't tell us about this." "Well, I were 'shamed ob mah cousin, so I was. Anyhow, I only had salt an' pepper in de gun 'stid ob shot. I 'spect mah cousin am pretty well seasoned now. But dat's de only s'picious folks I see, 'ceptin* maybe a peddler what wanted t' gib me a dish pan fo' a pair ob ole shoes ; only I didn't hab any." "There are altogether too many strangers com- ing about here," went on Tom. "It must be stopped, if I have to string charged electric wires about the shops as I once did." They hurried back to the shop where the new powder was kept, and Tom at once investigated it Taking the steel box from where it was stored he carefully removed the several handfuls of SOMETHING WRONG 85 excelsior-like explosive. On the bottom of the box, and with some of it clinging to some of the powder threads, was a sort of white powder. It had a peculiar odor. "Ha!" cried Tom, as soon as he saw it "I know what that is. It's a new form of gun- cotton, very powerful. Whoever gave it to Koku to put on my powder hoped to blow to atoms any cannon in which it might be used. There's enough here to do a lot of damage." "How is it that it didn't blow your test cylin- der to bits?" asked Ned. "For the reason that the stuff I use in my pow- der and this new gun-cotton neutralized one another," the young inventor explained. "One weakened the other, instead of making a stronger Combination. A chemical change took place, and Kicky for us it did. It was just like a man taking fcn over-dose of poison it defeated itself. That's why my experiment was a failure. Now to put this stuff where it can do no harm. Is this what lhat man gave you, Koku?" "That's it, Master." There came a tap on the door of the private room, and instinctively everyone started. Then came the voice of Eradicate, saying: "Dere's a army gen'men out here to see you, 86 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON Massa Tom ; but I ain't gwine t' let him in lessen as how you says so." "An army gentleman !" repeated Tom. "Yais, sah ! He say he General Waller, an' he come on a motor-cycle." "General Waller!" exclaimed Tom. "What can he want out here?" "And on a motor-cycle, too!" added Ned. "Tom, what's going on, anyhow?" The young inventor shook his head. "I don't know," he replied; "but I suppose I had better see him. Here, Koku, put this powder away, and then go outside. Mr. Damon, you'll stay; won't you?" "If you need me, Tom. Bless my finger nails! But there seems to be something wrong here." "Show him in, Rad!" called Tom. "Massa Gen'l Herodotus Waller!" exclaimed the colored man in pompous tones, as he opened the door for the officer, clad in khaki, whom Tom had last seen at Sandy Hook. "Ah, how do you do, Mr. Swift!" exclaimed General Waller, extending his hand. "I got your letter inviting me to a test of your new explosive. I hope I am not too late." Tom stared at him in amazement. CHAPTER XI FAILURE AND SUCCESS "You you got my letter!" stammered Tom, -folding out his hand for a missive which the General extended. "I I don't exactly under- stand. My letter?" "Yes, certainly," went on the officer. "It was Very kind of you to remember me after well, to be perfectly frank with you, I did resent, a little, your remarks about my unfortunate gun. But I see you are of a forgiving spirit." "But I didn't write you any letter !" exclaimed Tom, feeling more and more puzzled. "You did not? What is this?" and the Gen- eral unfolded a paper. Tom glanced over it Plainly it was a request for the General to be present at the test on that day, and it was signed with Tom Swift's name. But as soon as the young inventor saw it, he knew that it was a forgery. "I never sent that letter !" he exclaimed. "Look, 87 88 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON it is not at all like my handwriting," and he took up some papers from a near-by table and quickly compared some of his writing with that in the letter. The difference was obvious. "Then who did send it?" asked General Waller. "If someone has been playing a joke on me it will not be well for him!" and he drew himself up pompously. "If a joke has been played and it certainly seems so," spoke Tom, "I had no hand in it And did you come all the way from Sandy Hook because of this letter?" "No, I am visiting friends in Waterford." said the officer, naming the town where Mr. Damon lived. "My cousin is Mr. Pierce Watkins." "Bless my doorbell!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, "I know him! He lives just around the corner from me. Bless my very thumb prints!" General Waller stared at Mr. Damon in some amazement, and resumed : "Owing to the unfortunate accident to my gun, and to some slight injuries I sustained, I found my health somewhat impaired. I obtained a furlough, and came to visit my cousin. The doc- tor recommended open air exercise, and so I brought with me my motor-cycle, as I am fond of that means of locomotion." FAILURE AND SUCCESS 89 "I used to be," murmured Mr. Damon; "but I gave it up." "After his machine climbed a tree," Tom ex- plained, with a smile, remembering how he had originally met Mr. Damon, and bought the dam- aged machine from him, as told in the first volume of this series. "So, when I got your letter," continued the General, "I naturally jumped on my machine and came over. Now I find that it is all a hoax." "I am very sorry, I assure you," said Tom. "We did have a sort of test to-day; but it was a failure, owing to the fact that someone tam- pered with my powder. From what you tell me, I am inclined to the belief that the same person may have sent you that letter. Let me look at it again," he requested. Carefully he scanned it. "I should say that was written in a sort of German hand ; would you not also ?" he asked of Mr. Damon. "I would, Tom." "A German!" exclaimed General Waller. At the mention of the word "German" Koku, the giant, who had entered the room, to be stared at in amazement by the officer, exclaimed: "That he, Master! That he!" "What do you mean?" inquired Tom. 90 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "German man give me stuff for to put in your powder. I 'member now, he talk like Hans who make our garden here; and he say 'yah' just the same like. That man German sure." "What does this mean?" inquired the officer t Quickly Tom told of the visit of an unknown man who had prevailed on the simple-minded giant to "dope" Tom's new powder under the impression that he was doing his master a favor. Then the flight of the spy on a motor-cycle, just as the experiment failed, was related. "We have a German gardener," went on Tom, "and Koku now recalls that our mysterious vis- itor had the same sort of speech, This ought to give us a clue." "Let me see," murmured General Waller. "In the first place your test fails you learn, then, that your powder has been tampered with you see a man riding away in haste after having, in all likelihood, spied on your work your giant ser- vant recalls the visit of a mysterious man, and> when the word 'German* is pronounced in hid hearing he recalls that his visitor was of that nationality. So far so good. "I come to this vicinity for my health. That fact, as are all such regarding officers, was doubt- less published in the Army and Navy Journal, so it might easily become known to almost anyone. FAILURE AND SUCCESS 91 I receive a letter which I think is from Tom Swift, asking me to attend the test. As the dis- tance is short I go, only to find that the letter has been forged, presumably by a German. "Question : Can the same German be the agent in both cases ?" "Bless my arithmetic! how concisely you put it!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "It is part of my training, I suppose," re- marked the officer. "But it strikes me that if we find your German spy, Tom, we will find the man who played the joke on me. And if I do find him well, I think I shall know how to deal with him," and General Waller assumed his char- acteristic haughty attitude. "I believe you are right, General," spoke Tom. "Though why any German would want to pre- vent my experiments, or even damage my projv- erty, and possibly injure my friends, I cannot understand." "Nor can I," spoke the officer. "I am sorry you have had your trouble for nothing," went on Tom. "And, if you are in this vicinity when I conduct my next test, I shall be glad to have you come. I will send word by Mr. Damon, and then there will be no chanca of ft mistake." "Thank you, Tom, I shall be glad to come. J 92 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON do not know how long I shall remain in this vicinity. If I knew where to look for the Ger- man I would make a careful search. As it is, I shall turn this letter over to the United States Secret Service, and see what its agents can do. And, Tom, if you are annoyed again, let mo know. You are a sort of rival, so to speak, but, after all, we are both working to serve Uncle Sam. I'll do my best to protect you." "Thank you, sir," replied Tom. "On my part, I shall keep a good lookout. It will be a bold spy who gets near my shop after this. I'm going to put up my highly-charged protecting electric wires again. We were just talking about them when you came in. Would you like to look about here, General?" "I would, indeed, Tom, Have you made your big gun yet?" "No, but I am working on the plans. I want first to decide on the kind of explosive I am to use, so I can make my gun strong enough to stand it." "A wise idea, I think there is where I made my mistake. I did not figure carefully enough on the strength of material. The internal pressure of the powder I used, as well as the muzzle vel- ocity of my projectile, were both greater than they should have been. Take a lesson from my FAILURE AND SUCCESS 93 failure. But I am going to start on another gun soon, and Tom Swift I am going to try to beat you!" "All right, General," answered Tom, genially. "May the best gun win!" "Bless my powder box!" cried Mr. Damon. "That's the way to talk." General Waller was much interested in going about Tom's shop, and expressed his surprise at the many inventions he saw. While ordnance matters, big guns and high explosives were his hobby, nevertheless the airships were a source of wonder to him. "How do you do it, Tom ?" he asked. "Oh, by keeping at it," was the modest an- swer. "Then my good friends here Ned and Mr. Damon help me." "Bless my check book!" exclaimed the odd gen- tleman. "It is very little help I give, Tom." General Waller soon took his departure, prom- ising to call again, to see Tom's test if one were held. He also repeated his determination to set the Secret Service men at work to discover the mysterious German. "I can't imagine who would want to injure you or me, Tom Swift," he said. "Do you think they wanted to injure you, General?" asked Mr. Damon. 94 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "It would seem so," remarked Ned. "That man doped Tom's powder, hoping to make it so powerful that it would blow up everything. Then he sends word to the General to be present. If there had been a blow-up he would have gone with it" "Bless my gaiters, yes!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Well, we'll see if we can ferret him out!" spoke the officer as he took his leave. Tom, Ned and the others talked the matter over at some length. "I wonder if we could trace that man who rode away on the motor-cycle ?" said Ned. "We'll try," decided Tom, energetically, and in the electric runabout, that had once performed such a service to his father's bank, the young in- ventor and his chum were soon traversing the road taken by the spy. They got some traces of him that is, several persons had seen him pass but that was all. So they had to record one failure at least. "I wonder if the General himself could have sent that letter?" mused Ned, as they returned home. "What! To himself?" cried Tom, in amaze- ment. "He might have," went on Ned, coolly. "You FAILURE AND SUCCESS 95 see, Tom, he admits that he was jealous of you. Now what is there to prevent him from hiring someone to dope your powder, and then, to divert suspicion from himself, faking up a letter and inviting himself to the blowout." "But if he did that which I don't believe why would he come when there was danger, in case his trick worked, of the whole place being blown to kingdom come?" "Ah, but you notice he didn't arrive until after danger of an explosion had passed," commented Ned. "Oh, pshaw !" cried Tom. "I don't take any stock in that theory." "Well, maybe not," replied Ned. "But it's worth thinking about. I believe if General Waller could prevent you from inventing your big gun, he would." The days that followed were busy ones for Tom. He worked on the powder problem from morning to night, scoring many failures and only a few successes. But he did not give up, and in the meanwhile drew tentative plans for the big gun. One evening, after a hard day's work, he went to the library where his father was reading. "Tom," said Mr. Swift, ''do you remember 96 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON that old fortune hunter, Alec Peterson, who wanted me to go into that opal mine scheme?" "Yes, Dad. What about him? Has he found it?" "No, he writes to say he reached the island safely, and has been working some time. He hasn't had any success yet in locating the mine; but he hopes to find it in a week or so." "That's just like him," murmured Tom. "Well, Dad, if you lose the ten thousand dollars I guess I'll have to make it up to you, for it was on my account that you made the investment" "Well, you're worth it, Tom," replied his father, with a smile. CHAPTER XII A POWERFUL BLAST "LooK out with that box, Koku ! Handle it as though it contained a dozen eggs of the extinct great auk, worth about a thousand dollars apiece. "Eradicate! Don't you dare stumble while you're carrying that tube. If you do, you'll never do it again P "By golly, Massa Tom ! I I's gwine t' walk on mah tiptoes all de way !" Thus Eradicate answered the young inventor, while the giant Koku, who was carrying a heavy case, nodded his head to show that he understood the danger of his task. "So you think you've got the right stuff this time, Tom?" asked Ned Newton. "I'm allowing myself to hope so, Ned." "Bless my woodpile!" cried Mr. Damon. "I I really think I'm getting nervous." It was one afternoon, about two weeks after Tom had made his first test of the new powder. proof structure, there was lifted one of the big projectiles destined to be hurled from Tom Swift's giant cannon. "Yes, I think that will do," decided the young inventor, as he watched Koku. "Now, Mr. Damon, if you will kindly oversee this part of the work, I'll see if we can't get that motor in better shape. It didn't work worth a cent this morning." "Bless my rubber coat, Tom, I'll do all I can to help you!" declared the odd man. "Massa Tom ! Massa Tom !" called Eradicate. "Yes, Rad. What is it?" "Heah am dem chicken sandwiches, an' some hot coffee fo' yo* all. I done knowed yo' all wouldn't hab no time t* stop fo' dinnah, so I done made yo' all up a snack." "That's mighty good of you, Rad," spoke Tom, with a laugh. "I was getting pretty hungry : but I didn't want to stop until I had things moving in better shape. Come on, Ned, let's knock off for a few minutes and take a bite. You, too, Mr. Damon." As they sat about the place where the gun was being mounted, munching sandwiches and drink- ing the coffee which the aged colored man had so thoughtfully provided, Eradicate said, with a chuckle : NEWS OF THE MINE 193 "By gar! Dey can't git erlong wifout distt yeah coon, arter all! Ha! ha! Dat cocoanut giant he mighty good when it comes t' fastening big guns down so dey won't blow away, but when it comes t' eatin' dey has t' depend on ole Eradi- cate ! Ha ! ha ! I'se got dat cocoanut giant beat all right!" "He sure is jealous of Koku," remarked Ned, as Tom and Mr. Damon smiled at the colored man. "He certainly hit me in the right spot," declared Tom, as he reached for another sandwich. They had landed from the warship several days before, and from then on there had been hard work and plenty of it Tom was here, there and everywhere, directing matters so that his gun would be favorably placed. Some preliminary work had been done before they arrived in the way of preparing a place to mount the gun, and this work was now proceed- ing. The officers of the ordnance department were in actual charge, but they always deferred to Tom, since he had most at stake. "It will be some days before you can actually fire your gun; will it not?" asked Ned of his chum, as they finished the lunch, and prepared to resume work. 194 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "Yes a week at least, I expect. It is taking longer to set up the carriage than I thought But it will be an improvement over the solid one we formerly used. That was fine, Rad," he con- .cluded as the colored man went back to the sh*ck of which he had taken possession for himself and his cooking operations. It adjoined the quarters to which Tom, Ned, Mr. Damon and Koku had been assigned. "Golly ! I ain't so old yit but what I knows de stuff Massa Tom laiks !" exclaimed the colored man, moving off with a chuckle. Tom, though he had many suspicions about the cut cables that had nearly been the cause of his gun sliding into the sea, had learned nothing definite nor had Ned. The German officer, with his body servant, who seldom spoke, had landed at Colon, and was pro- ceeding to make himself at home with the officers and men who were building the canal. Occa- sionally he paid a visit to Tom and Ned, where they were engaged about the big gun. He always seemed pleasant, and interested in their labors, asking many question, but that was all, and our hero began to feel that perhaps he was wrong in his suspicions. As for Ned, he veered uncertainly from one suspicion to another. At one time he declared NEWS OF THE MINE 195 that von Brunderger and General Waller were in a conspiracy to upset Tom's plans. Again he would accuse the German alone, until Tom laugh- ingly bade him attend more to work and less to theories. Slowly the work progressed. The gtin was mounted after much labor, and then arrange- ments began to be made for the test. A series of shots were to be fired out to sea, and the proper precautions were to be taken to prevent any ships from being struck. "Though if you intend to send a projectile thirty miles," said one of the officers, "I'm afraid there may be some danger, after all. Are you sure you have a range of thirty miles, Mr. Swift?" "I have." answered Tom, calmly, "and with the increased elevation that I am able to get here, it may exceed that." The officer said nothing, but he looked at Tom in what our hero thought was a peculiar manner. A few days before the date set for the test one of the sentinels, who had been detailed to keep curiosity-seekers away from the giant cannon, approached Tom and said: "There is a gentleman asking to see you, Mr. Swift" 196 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON "Who is it?" asked Tom, laying aside a pressure gauge he intended attaching to the gun, "He says his name is Peterson Alec Peterson. Do you want to see him?" "Yes, let him come up," directed the young inventor. "Do you hear that, Ned?" he called. "Our fortune-hunting friend is here." "Maybe he's found that lost opal mine," suggested Ned. "I hope he has, for dad's sake," went on Tom. "Hello, Mr. Peterson!" he called, as he noticed the old prospector coming along. "Have you had any luck?" "I heard you were down here," said the man, not answering the question directly, "and as I had to run over from my island for some supplies I thought I'd stop and see you. How are you?" and he shook hands. "Fine !" answered Tom. "Have you found the lost mine yet?" Alec Peterson paused a moment Then he said slowly : "No, Tom, I haven't succeeded in locating the mine yet. But I I expect to any day now 1" he added, hastily. CHAPTER XXIV THE LONGEST SHOT "WELL, Mr. Peterson," remarked Tom, after a pause, "I'm sure I hope you will succeed in your quest. You must have met disappointment so far." "I have, Tom. But I'm not going to give up. Can't you come over and see me before you go back North?" "I'll try. Just where is your island?" "Off in that direction," responded the fortune- hunter, pointing to the northeast. "It's a little farther from here than I thought it was at first about thirty miles. But I have a little second- hand steam launch that my pardners and I use. I'H come for you, take you over and bring you back any time you say." "After my gun has been tested," said Tom, with a smile. "Better stay and see it" "No, I must get back to the island. I have 197 198 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON some new information that I am sure will enaWc me to locate the lost mine." "Well, good-bye, and good luck to you," called Tom, as the fortune-hunter started away. "Do you think he'll ever find the opals, Tom?" asked Ned. His chum shook his head. "I don't believe so," he answered. "Alec hac always been that way always visionary alway* just about to be successful; but never quite getting there." "Then your father's ten thousand dollars will be lost?" "Yes, I suppose so; but, in a way, dad can stand it And if I make good on this gun test, ten thousand dollars won't look very big to me. I guess dad gave it to Alec from a sort of sentimental feeling, anyhow." "You mean because he saved you from the live wire?" "That's it, Ned. It was a sort of reward, in a way, and I guess dad won't be broken-hearted if Alec doesn't succeed. Only, of course, he'll feel badly for Alec himself. Poor old man! he' won't be able to do much more prospecting. Well, Ned, let's get to work on that ammunition hoist. It still jams a little on the ways, and I want it to work smoothly. There's no use having THE LONGEST SHOT 199 a hitch even a small one when the big bugs assemble to see how my cannon shoots." "That's right, Tom, Well, start off, I'm with you." The two youths labored for some time, being helped, of course, by the workmen provided by the government, and some from the steel concern. There were many little details to look after, not the least of which was the patrolling of the stretch of ocean over which the great projectiles would soar in reaching the far-off targets at which Tom had planned to shoot. No ships were to be allowed to cross the thirty-mile mark while the firing was in progress. So, also, the zone where the shots were expected to fall was to be cleared. But at last all seemed in readiness. The gun had been tried again and again on its carriage. The projectiles were all in readiness, and the terribly powerful ammunition had been stored below the gun in a bomib-proof chamber, ready to be hoisted out as needed. Because the gun had been fired so many times with a charge of powder heavier than was ordi- narily called for, and had stood the strain well, Tom had no fear of standing reasonably close to it to press the button of the battery. There would be no retreating to the bomb-proof this time. 200 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON The German officer was occasionally seen about the place where the gun was mounted, but he appeared to take only an ordinary interest in it. Tom began to feel more than ever that perhaps his suspicions were unfounded. Some officials high in government affairs had arrived at Colon in anticipation of the test, which, to Tom's delight, had attracted more attention than he anticipated. At the same time he was a bit nervous. "Suppose it fails, Ned?" he said. "Oh, it can't !" cried his chum. "Don't think about such a thing." Plans had been made for a ship to be stationed near the zone of fire, to report by wireless the character of each shot, the distance it traveled, and how near it came to the target. The mes- sages would be received at a station near the barbette, and at once reported to Tom, so that he would know how the test was progressing. "Well, to-day tells the tale!" exclaimed the young inventor, as he got up one morning. "How's the weather, Ned?" "Couldn't be better clear as a bell, Tom." "That's good. Well, let's have grub, and then go out and see how my pet is." "Oh, I guess nothing could happen, with Koku on guard." THE LONGEST SHOT 201 "No, hardly. I'm going to keep him in th*e ammunition room until after the test, too. I'm going to take no chances." "That's the ticket!" The gun was found all right, in its great tarpaulin cover, and Tom had the latter taken off that he might go over every bit of mechanism. He made a few slight changes, and then got ready for the final trials. On an improvised platform, not too near the giant cannon, had gathered the ordnance board, the specially invited guests, a number of officers and workers in the canal zone, and one or two representatives of foreign governments. Von Brunderger was there, but his "familiar," as Ned had come to call the stolid German servant, was not present. Tom took some little time to explain, modestly enough, the working of his gun. A number of questions were asked, and then it was announced that the first shot, with only a practice charge of powder, would be fired. "Careful with that projectile now. That's it, slip it in carefully. A little farther forward. That's better. Now the powder Koku, are you down there?" and Tom called down the tube into the ammunition chamber. "Me here, Master," was the reply. 202 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON. "All right, send up a practice load." Slowly the powerful explosive came up on tfic electric hoist. It was placed in the firing chamber and the breech dosed. "Now, gentlemen," said Tom, "this is not a shot for distance. It is merely to try the gun, and get it warmed up, so to speak, for the real tests that will follow. All ready?" "All ready!" answered Ned, who was acting as chief assistant. "Here she goes!" cried Tom, and he pressed the button. Many were astonished by the great report, but Tom and the others, who were used to the service charges, hardly noticed this one. Yet when the wireless report came in, giving the range as over fourteen thousand yards, there was a gasp of surprise. "Over eight miles!" declared one grizzled officer; "and that with only a practice charge. What will happen when he puts in a full one ?" "I don't know," answered a friend. Tom soon showed them. Quickly he called for another projectile, and it was inserted in the gun. Then the powder began to come up the hoist. Meanwhile the young inventor had as- sured himself that the gun was all right. Not a part had been strained. THE LONGEST SHOT 203 This time, when Tom pressed the button there was such a tremendous concussion that several, who were not prepared for it, were knocked back against their neighbors or sent toppling off their chairs or benches. And as for the report, it was so deafening that for a long time after it many could not hear well. But Tom, and those who knew the awful power of the big cannon, wore specially prepared ear- drum protectors, that served to reduce the shock. "What is it?" called Tom to the wireless opera- tor, who was receiving the range distance from the marking ship. "A little less than twenty-nine miles." "We must do better than that," said Tom. "I'll use more powder, and try one of the newer shells. I'll elevate the gun a trifle, too." Again came that terrific report, that trembling of the ground, that concussion, that blast of air as it rushed in to fill the vacuum caused, and then the vibrating echoes. "I think you must have gone the limit this time, Tom!" yelled Ned, as he turned on the compressed air to blow the powder fumes and unconsumed bits of explosive from the gun tube. "Possibly," admitted Tom. "Here comes the report." The wireless operator waved a slip of paper. 204 TOM SWIFT 'AND HIS GIANT CANNON "Thirty-one miles!" he announced. "Hurray!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my telescope! The longest shot on record!" "I believe it is," admitted the chief of the ordnance department. "I congratulate you, Mr. Swift." "I think I can do better than that," declared Tom, after looking at the various recording- gauges, and noting the elevation of the gun. "1 think I can get a little flatter trajectory, and that will give a greater distance. I'm going to try." "Does that mean more powder, Tom?" asked Ned. "Yes, and the heaviest shell we have the one with the bursting charge. I'll fire that, and see what happens. Tell the zone-ship to be on the lookout," he said to the wireless operator, giving a brief statement of what he was about to attempt. "Isn't it a risk, Tom?" his chum asked. "Well, not so much. I'm sure my cannon will stand it. Come on now, help me depress the muzzle just a trifle," and by means of the electric current the big gun was raised at the breech a few inches. As is well known, cannon shots do not go in straight lines. They leave the muzzle, curve up- ward and come down on another curve. It is this curve described by the projectile that is called the THE LONGEST SHOT 205 trajectory. The upward curve, as you all know, is caused by the force of the powder, and the downward by the force of gravitation acting on the shot as soon as it reaches its zenith. Were it not for this force the projectiles could be fired in straight lines. But, as it is, the cannon has to be elevated to send the shot up a bit, or it would fall short of its mark. Consequently, the flatter the trajectory the farther it will go. Tom's object, then, was to flatten the trajectory, by lowering the muzzle of the gun, in order to attain greater distance. "If this doesn't do the trick, we'll try it with the muzzle a bit lower, and with a trifle more powder," he said to Ned, as He was about to fire. The young inventor was not a little nervous as he prepared to press the button this time. It was a heavier charge than any used that day, though the same quantity had been fired on other occasions with safety. But he was not going to hesitate. Coincident with the pressure of Tom's fingers there seemed to be a veritable earthquake. The ground swayed and rocked, and a number of the spectators staggered back. It was like the blast of a hundred thunderbolts. The gun shook as it recoiled from the shock, but the wonderful disap- 206 TOM SWIFT 'AND HIS GIANT CANNON pearing carriage, fitted with coiled, pneumatic and hydrostatic buffers, stood the strain. Following the awful report, the terrific recoil and the howl of the wind as it rushed into the vacuum created, there was an intense silence. The projectile had been seen by some as a dark speck, rushing through the air like a meteor. Then the wireless operator could be seen writing down a message, the telephone-like receivers clamped over his ears. "Something happened, all right!" he called aloud. "That shot hit something." "Not one of the ships!" cried Tom, aghast. "I don't know. There seems to be some difficulty in transmitting. Wait I'm getting it now." As he ceased speaking there came from under- neath the great gun the sound of confused shouts. Tom and Ned recognized Koku's voice protesting : "No no you can't come in here! Master said no one was to come in." "What is it, Koku ?" yelled Tom, springing to the speaking tube connecting with the powder magazine, at the same time keeping an eye on the wireless operator. Tom was torn between two anxieties. "Someone here, Master!" cried the giant THE LONGEST SHOT 207 "Him try to fix powder. Ah, I fix you!" and with a savage snarl the giant, in the concrete chamber below, could be heard to attack someone who cried out gutturally in German : "Help! Help! Help!" "Come on, Ned!" cried Tom, making a dasK for the stairs that led into the magazine. There was confusion all about, but through it all the wireless operator continued to write down the message coming to him through space. "What is it, Koku? What is it?" cried Tom, plunging down into the little chamber. As he reached it, a door leading to the outer air flew open, and out rushed a man, badly torn as to his clothes, and scratched and bleeding as to his face. On he ran, across the space back of the barbette, toward the lower tier of seats that had been erected for the spectators. "It's von Brunderger's servant!" gasped Ned, recognizing the fellow. "What did he do, Koku?" demanded the young inventor. "Him sneak in here have some of that stuff you call 'dope/ I sent up powder, and I come back here to see him try to put some dope in Master's ammunition," "The scoundrel !" cried Tom. "They're trying 208 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON. to break me, even at the last minute ! Come on, Ned." They raced outside to behold a curious sight. Straight toward von Brunderger rushed the man as if in a frenzy of fear. He called out something in German to his master, and the tetter's face went first red, then white. He was observed to look about quickly, as though in alarm, and then, with a shout at his servant, the German officer rushed from the stand, and the two disappeared in the direction of the barracks. "What does it mean?" cried Ned. "Give it up," answered Tom, "except that Koku spoiled their trick, whatever it was. It looks as if this was the end of it, and that the mystery has been cleared up." "Mr. Swift! Where's Mr. Swift?" shouted the wireless operator. "Where are you ?" "Yes; what is it?" demanded Tom, so excited that he hardly knew what he was doing. "The longest shot on record!" cried the man. "Thirty-three miles, and it struck, exploded, and blew the top off a mountain on an island out there!" and he pointed across the sun-lit sea. CHAPTER XXV THE LONG-LOST MINE THERE was a silence after the inspiring words of the operator, and then it seemed that everyone began to talk at once. The record-breaking shot, the effect of it and the struggle that had taken place in the powder room, together with the flight of von Brunderger and his servant, gave many subjects for excited conversation. "I've got to get at the bottom of this !" cried Tom, making his way through the press of offi- cials to where the wireless operator stood. "J ust repeat that," requested Tom, and they all gave place for him, waiting for the answer. The operator read the message again. "Thirty-three miles !" murmured Tom. "That is better than I dared to hope. But what's that about blowing the top off an island ?" "That's what you did, with that explosive shell, Mr. Swift. The operator on the firing-zone ship 209 210 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON saw the top fly off when the shell struck. The ship was about half a mile away, and when they heard that shell coming the officers thought it was all up with them. But, instead, it passed over them and demolished the top of the mountain." "Anybody hurt?" asked Tom, anxiously. "No, it was an uninhabited island. But you have made the record shot, all right. It went farther than any of the others." "Then I suppose I ought to be satisfied," remarked Tom, with a smile. "What was that disturbance, Mr. Swift?" asked the chief ordnance officer, coming forward "I don't understand it myself," replied the young inventor. "It appeared that someone went into the ammunition room, and Koku, my giant servant, attacked him." "As he had a right to do. But who was the intruder?" "Herr von Brunderger's man." '"Ha! That German officer's! Where is he, he must explain this." But Herr von Brunderger was not to be found, nor was his man in evidence. They had fled, and when a search was made of their rooms, damag- ing evidence was found. Before a board of investigating officers Koku told his story, after THE LONG-LOST MINE 21 r the gun tests had been declared off for the day, they having been most satisfactory. The German officer's servant, it appeared, had managed to gain entrance to the ammunition chamber by means of a false key to the outer door. There were two entrances, the other being from the top of the platform where the cannon rested. Koku had seen him about to throw some- thing into one of the ammunition cases, and had grappled with him. There was a fight, and, in spite of the giant's strength, the man had slipped away, leaving part of his garments in the grasp of Koku. An investigation of some of the powder showed that it had been covered with a chemical that would have made it explode prematurely when placed in the gun. It would probably have wrecked the cannon by blowing out the breech block, and might have done serious damage to life as well as property. "But what was the object?" asked Ned. "To destroy Tom's gun," declared Mr. Damon. '"Why should von Brunderger want to do that?" They found the answer among his papers. He had been a German officer of high rank, but had been dismissed from the secret service of his 212 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON country for bad conduct. Then, it appeared, he thought of the plan of doing some damage to a foreign country in order to get back in the good graces of his Fatherland. He forged documents of introduction and au- thority, and was received with courtesy by the United States officials. In some way he heard of Tom's gun, and that it was likely to be so suc- cussful that it would be adopted by the United States government. This he wanted to prevent, and he went to great lengths to accomplish this. It was he, or an agent of his, who forged the letter of invitation to General Waller, and who first tried to spoil Tom's test by doping the powder through Koku. Later he tried other means, sending a midnight visitor to Tom's house and even going to the length of filing the cables in the storm, so the gun would roll off the warship into the sea. All this was found set down in his papers, for he kept a record of what he had done in order to prove his case to his own government. It was his servant who tried to get near the gun while it was being cast. That he would be restored to favor had he succeeded, was an open question, though with Germany's friendliness toward the United States THE LONG-LOST MINE 213 it is probable that his acts would have been repudiated. But he was desperate. Failing in many attempts he resolved on a last one. He sent his servant to the ammunition room to "dope" the powder, hoping that, at the next shot, the gun would be ruined. Perhaps he hoped to disable Tom. But the plot failed, and the conspirators escaped. They were never heard of again, probably leaving Panama under assumed names and in disguise. "Well, that explains the mystery," said Tom to Ned a few days later. "I guess we won't have to worry any more." "No, and I'm sorry I suspected General Waller." "Oh, well, he'll never know it, so no harm is done. Oh, but I'm glad this is over. It has gotten on my nerves." "I should say so," agreed Ned. "Bless my pillow sham!" cried Mr. Damon. "I think I can get a good night's sleep now. So they have formally accepted your giant cannon, Tom?" "Yes. The last tests I gave them, showing how easily it could be manipulated, convinced them. It will be one of the official defense guns of the Panama Canal." "Good! I congratulate you, my boy!" cried 214 TOM SWIFT 'AND HIS GIANT CANNON the odd man. "And now, bless my postage stamp, let's get back to the United States." "Before we go," suggested Ned, "let's go takes a look at that island from which Tom blew the top. It must be quite a sight and thirty-three miles away! We can get a launch and go out." But there was no need. That same day Alec Peterson came to Colon inquiring for Tom. His face showed a new delight. "Why," cried Tom, "you look as though you had found your opal mine." "I have!" exclaimed the fortune-hunter. "Or, rather, Tom, I think I have you to thank for finding it for me." "Me find it?" "Yes. Did you hear about the tqp of the island-mountain you blew to pieces?" "We did, but " "That was my island!" exclaimed Mr. Peter- son. "The mine was in that mountain, but an earthquake had covered it. I should never have found it but for you. That shot you accidentally fired ripped the mountain apart. My men and I| were fortunately at the base of it then, but we' sure thought our time had come when that shell struck. It went right over our heads. But it did the business, all right, and opened up the old mine. Tom, your father won't lose his money THE LONG-LOST MINE 215 we'll all be rich. Oh, that was a lucky shot! I knew it was your cannon that did it." "I'm glad of it !" answered the young inventor, heartily. "Glad for your sake, Mr. Peterson." "You must come and see the mine your mine, Tom, for it never would have been rediscovered had it not been for your giant cannon, that made the longest shot on record, so I'm told." "We will come, Mr. Peterson, just as soon as I close up matters here." It did not take Tom long to do this. His type of cannon was formally accepted as a defense for tbe Panama Canal, and he received a fine contract to allow that type to be used by the government. His powder and projectiles, too, were adopted. Then, one day, he and Ned, with Koku and Mr. Damon, visited the scene of the great shot. As Mr. Peterson had said, the whole top of the mountain had been blown off by the explosive shell, opening up the old mine. While it was not quite as rich as Mr. Peterson had glowingly painted, still there was a fortune in it, and Mr. Swift got back a substantial sum for his investment. "And now for the good old U. S. A. !" cried Tom, as they got ready to go back home. "I'm going to take a long rest, and the only thing I'm going to invent for the next six months is a new 2l6 TOM SWIFT 'AND 'HIS GIANT CANNON potato slicer." But whether Tom kept his words can be learned by reading the next volume of this series. "Bless my hand towel !" cried Mr. Damon. "I think you are entitled to a rest, Tom." "That's what I say/' agreed Ned. Til take care ob him I'll take care ob Massa Tom," put in Eradicate, as he cast a quick look at Koku. "Giants am all right fo' cannon wuk, but when it comes t' comforts Massa Tom gwine t' 'pend on ole 'Radicate; ain't yo' all, Massa Tom?" "I guess so, Rad!" exclaimed the young inventor, with a laugh. "Is dinner ready?" "It suah am, Massa Tom, an' I 'specially made some ob dat fricasseed chicken yo' all does admire so much. Plenty of it, too, Massa Tom." "That's good, Rad," put in Ned. "For we'll all be hungry after that trip to the island. That sure was a great shot Tom thirty-three miles !" "Yes, it went farther than I thought it would," replied Tom. And now, as they are taking a closing meal at Panama, ready to return to the United States, we will take leave of Tom Swift and his friends. THE END Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in this book? Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author? On the reverse side of the wrap- per which comes with this book, you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same store where you got this book. Don't throw away the Wrapper Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog. THE TOM SWIFT SERIES By VICTOR APPLETON Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrapper*. Every Volume Complete in Itself. Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most interesting kind of reading. TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS TOM SWIFT CIRCLING THE GLOBE TOM SWIFT AND HIS TALKING PICTURES TOM SWIFT AND HIS HOUSE ON WHEELS GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS By JAMES CODY FERRIS Individual Colored Wrappers and Illustrations by WALTER S. ROGERS Each Volume Complete in Itself. Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in the great open spaces. The Manley Boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the owner of many thousands of heads of cattle. The lads know how to ride, how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all circumstances. The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cow- boys, on the job when required but full of fun and daring a bunch any reader will be delighted to know. THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER'S GAP GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK THE TED SCOTT FLYING STORIES By FRANKLIN W. DIXON Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by WALTER S. ROGERS Every Volume Complete in Itself. VJO subject has so thoroughly caught the imag- ^ ination of young America as aviation. This series has been inspired by recent daring feats of the air, and is dedicated to Lindbergh, Byrd, Cham* berlain and other heroes of the skies. OVER THE OCEAN TO PARIS; OR, TED SCOTT'S DARING LONG-DISTANCE FLIGHT RESCUED IN THE CLOUDS; OR, TED SCOTT, HERO OF THE AIR OVER THE ROCKIES WITH THE AIR MAIL; OR, TED SCOTT LOST IN THE WILDER- NESS FIRST STOP HONOLULU; OR, TED SCOTT OVER THE PACIFIC THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST FLYERS; OR, TED SCOTT OVER THE WEST INDIES SOUTH OF THE RIO GRANDE; OR, TED SCOTT ON A SECRET MISSION ACROSS THE PACIFIC; OR, TED SCOTT'S HOP TO AUSTRALIA THE LONE EAGLE OF THE BORDER; OR, TED SCOTT AND THE DIAMOND SMUGGLERS GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers. NEW YORK University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue. Lot Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return thi* material to the library from which it was borrowed. 1 9 1994 W