anks."

"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."

"Very good, sir," spoke the officer in immediate 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 inventor 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 breech-block screwed
into place, the primer had been inserted, and all that remained was to
press the button that would make the electrical connection, and explode
the charge. This act of firing the gun had been intrusted to one of the
soldiers, for General Waller and his brother officers 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 th