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 the shelter. "But I think there is little danger.

"You see, the electric wires are long enough to enable him to
stand some distance from the gun. And, if he likes, he can crouch