Part 23 (1/2)
”Thank Heaven for that!” exclai on this occasion ”If only he can get here in ti her to the lilass ”He's corimly ”That da from the valley!”
He pointed to the north, and a confused mass of small black objects--ered in spite of the other warning--could be seen cla ready at the gun?” asked Mr Da,” answered Ned, whom Tom had instructed in all the essentials ”As soon as he lands we'll jam in the powder, and fire the shot”
”I hope he doesn't land too hard, with all that explosive on board,”
murmured the foreman
”Bless ”
”I guess we can trust Tom,” spoke Ned
They looked up The distant throb of the monoplane's motor could now be heard above the roar of the swollen waters Tom could be seen in his seat, and beside hie
Nearer and nearer caently, for well Toround too hard with the cargo he carried
He described a circle in the air to check his speed Then, gently as a bird, heeasily over one of the few level places on the side of the hill To into the ground, checking the progress of the ot it, To inventor as he leaped froood powder?” asked the foreman, anxiously
”I don't know,” spoke Tom ”I didn't have tiot some out and came back with the ht it was all up with et out of it Say, we're going to have it nip and tuck here to save the village”
”That's what!” agreed the foreman, as he helped Koku take the cans of explosive
”Wait until I look at it,” suggested Tom, as he opened one His trained eye and touch soon told him that this explosive had not been taun with it, and we'll see what happens”
It was the work of only a few e Then, onceelectric wires unreeled to lead to the boh the telescope sights of his giant cannon He changed the range slightly by ear, and then, with the others, ran to the shelter of the cave For, though the gun had stood the previous tests well, To chamber and in the projectile, and he wanted to take no chances
”All ready?” asked the young inventor, as he looked around at his friends gathered in the cave
”I--I guess so,” answered Ned, somewhat doubtfully
Toers stiffened to press the electric button there sounded to the ears of all a dull, booiven way!” cried Ned