safe distance, and under a bank of earth, by means of an electric
primer.

"Why, Tom, that powder certainly burst the bombs all to
pieces," said Ned, picking up a shattered piece of steel.

"I know, but it isn't powerful enough for me. I'm going to send
for samples of another kind, and if I can't get what I want I'll
make my own powder. But come on now, this stuff gives me a
headache. Let's take a little flight in the Humming Bird. We'll
go see Mr. Damon," and soon the two lads were in the speedy
little monoplane, skimming along like the birds. The fresh air
soon blew away their headaches, caused by the fumes from the
nitro-glycerine, which was the basis of the powder. Dynamite will
often produce a headache in those who work with it.

Two days later Tom and Ned set off for Sandy Hook.

This long, neck-like strip of land on the New Jersey coast is,
as most of you know, one of the principal defenses of our
country.

Foreign vessels that steam into New York harbor first have to
pass the line of terrible guns that, back of the earth and
concrete defenses, look frowningly out to sea. It is a wonderful
place.

On the Sandy Hook Bay side of the Hook there is a life-saving
station. Right across, on the sea side, are the big guns. Between
are the barracks where the soldiers live, and part of the land is