ed Dick. "The thing's exploded!"

The machine fairly flew apart, splinters of wood, bits of iron, belts,
spokes, chute, inclines and everything was scattered to the thirty-two
points of the compass.

"Oh, Silas!" exclaimed Mrs. Kendall. "There it goes!"

"Yep," answered Silas, as he ran to get under a tree. "Thar she goes,
sure enough, Mandy!"

There sounded dull thuds as the balls struck the earth. Fortunately no
one was hit. Then it began to rain bits of wood.

"I guess it's all over," said Dick, as he and his chums looked down from
the porch where they had taken refuge. "What happened, Mr. Kendall?"

"Everything," replied the inventor, in gloomy tones. "I see what th'
matter was. Th' big wheel was too strong for th' rest of th' machine.
Them balls give it too much power an' it jest naturally went to
flinders. I see my mistake now. I'll build it all of iron next time.
Wa'al, they say experience teaches us, an' this sure has been a great
experience!"

"It sure has, Silas," remarked his wife. "You'd better give it up now,
an' go back t' farmin'. That'll pay."

"No, sir," replied Silas, firmly. "I'm goin' t' make a perpetual motion
machine before I die, an' don't ye forgit it. I see where I made a
mistake an' I'll profit by it. I don't s'pose ye'll want t' invest any
thin' in it until I make my new model?" he asked Dick.

"No, I think not," answered the millionaire's son.

"Wa'al, I'll call on ye agin when I git it rebuilt," promised Silas, as
he piled the bits of his broken machine into the wagon and drove off.

"Say, Dick, what'll it be next?" asked Walter, as they watched the
disappointed farmer driving away. "I never knew it was so exciting to be
rich."

"Oh, it's exciting, all right," answered Dick, and he added: "I don't
think that was a real perpetual motion machine. The springs made it
work. But, come on, or it will be too late for our motor boat ride."

With a big basket, filled with good things to eat, which the cook
obligingly put up for them, the four boys were soon at the dock where
Dick's craft was moored.

"Let's go to Handell's Island," proposed Bricktop. "I heard there was a
cave there that no one ever got to the end of."

"That'll be fun. We'll explore it," said Dick, always ready for any sort
of an adventure.

Heading the boat toward the island, which was about ten miles away, the
boys stretched out on the cushions to enjoy the trip. It was a beautiful
July day, hot enough to make a