Part 27 (1/2)

”Don't goinventor

”Or perhaps that Gerht--”

”Hush!+” cautioned Toer calad to see that the accident of last night had no serious effects,” he said, s

”It was no accident!” burst out Ned

”No accident? You surprise ht--”

”Oh, Ned h they had been cut,” hastily put in Tonal for him to keep quiet

”The cables cut!” exclaimed the German, and his voice indicated anxious solicitude

”Or else filed,” went on Tolance at Ned ”But I dare say they were old cables, that had been used on other work, and h New cables were lashed on this lad to hear it It would be a--er--ah, a national cala of the canal so near at hand I alad that your invention is safe, Herr Swift,” and he senially at Tom and Ned

”What did you shut me off for?” asked Ned, when he and his chuain

”Because I didn't want you to make any breaks before him,” answered Tos, Ned, but I' to watch and listen”

”And I'll be with you”

But no further accidents occurred There were no more storms, no attempt was made to meddle with Tom's powder, and in due season the shi+p arrived at Colon, and after e, the shells and the poere taken to the barbette at the Gatun locks, designed to admit vessels from the Caribbean Sea into Gatun Lake

”And now for some more hard work,” remarked Tom, as all the needful stores were landed

CHAPTER XXIII

NEWS OF THE MINE

”Just a little farther over this way, Ned That's better Now mark it there, and we'll have it clah elevation here, Tom?”

”Oh, yes, I think so Besides, I've added a few e, and it will send the gun so much farther in the air I think this will do Where is Koku?”

”Here I be, Master”

”Just get hold of that small derrick, Koku, and lift up one of the projectiles I want to see if they co apparatus per up the rope of an improvised hoist that stood about in the position the pero