“Yes.”
“I placed the meat on the arm of the machine to which the spring is made fast, and the percussion cap upon an open keg of powder, beneath the other arm. Do you understand?”
“The engine of death drifted slowly into the mist.”
“Yes, I think so. When the piece of lamb is lifted the spring will fly up, the opposite arm will descend, explode the cap, and——”
“Exactly,” the captain said.
“But could not a person see all this arrangement and suspect something?” asked Louis. “You left quite a space there.”
“That is all filled in, and I put the most tempting game and fruit right above the powder.”
“Then,” said Carl, slowly, “you expect the boat will drift far out in the bay; will be sighted by one of the ships on blockade; that an attempt will be made to take the stuff on board, and all hands will be blown to kingdom come?”
“That is what I hope, my lad.”