NEWS OF THE MINE
"Just a little farther over this way, Ned.That's better.Now mark it there, and we'll have it clamped down.""But can you get enough elevation here, Tom?""Oh, yes, I think so.Besides, I've added a few more inches to the lift of the disappearing carriage, 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 come in the right place for the breech before I set the hoisting apparatus permanently."The giant was soon engaged in winding up the rope of an improvised hoist that stood about in the position the permanent one was to go.From the interior of the barbette, which was, in effect, a bomb-proof structure, there was lifted one of the big projectiles destined to be hurled from Tom Swift's giant cannon."Yes, I think that will do," decided the young inventor, as he watched Koku."Now, Mr.Damon, if you will kindly oversee this part of the work, I'll see if we can't get that motor in better shape.It didn't work worth a cent this morning.""Bless my rubber coat, Tom, I'll do all I can to help you!" declared the odd man.
"Massa Tom! Massa Tom!" called Eradicate."Yes, Rad.What is it?""Heah am dem chicken sandwiches, an' some hot coffee fo' yo' all.I done knowed yo' alt wouldn't hab no time t' stop fo' dinnah, so I done made yo' all up a snack.""That's mighty good of you, Rad," spoke Tom, with a laugh."I was getting pretty hungry; but I didn't want to stop until I had things moving in better shape.Come on, Ned, let's knock off for a few minutes and take a bite.You, too, Mr.Damon."As they sat about the place where the gun was being mounted,munching sandwiches and drinking the coffee which the aged colored man had so thoughtfully provided, Eradicate said, with a chuckle:
"By gar! Dey can't git erlong wifout dish yeah coon, arter all! Ha! ha! Dat cocoanut giant he mighty good when it comes t' fastening big guns down so dey won't blow away, but when it comes t' eatin' dey has t' depend on ole Eradicate! Ha! ha! I'se got dat cocoanut giant beat all right!" "He sure is jealous of Koku," remarked Ned, as Tom and Mr.Damonsmiled at the colored man.
"He certainly hit me in the right spot," declared Tom, as he reached for another sandwich.
They had landed from the warship several days before, and from then on there had been hard work and plenty of it.Tom was here, there and everywhere, directing matters so that his gun would be favorably placed.
Some preliminary work had been done before they arrived in the way of preparing a place to mount the gun, and this work was now proceeding.The officers of the ordnance department were in actual charge, but they always deferred to Tom, since he had most at stake.
"It will be some days before you can actually fire your gun; will it not?" asked Ned of his chum, as they finished the lunch, and prepared to resume work.
