第48章

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 andsee 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'll 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 some new information that I am sure will enable 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 has always been that way-- always visionary--always 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 stilljams a little on the ways, and I want it to work smoothly.There's no use having 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 bomb-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 ordinarily 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 bombproof this time.

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 messages 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, today 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.""No, hardly.I'm going to keep him in the 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."All right, send up a practice load."Slowly the powerful explosive came up on the 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 whenthe wireless report came in, giving the range as over fourteen thousand yards, there was a gasp of surprise.