Cheer succeeded cheer as each “bang” reached the earth.
“Look out for the next,” cried Mr. N—— as the twelfth shell darted down towards the housetops, and then detonated with a loud ringing report, which echoed in the still air like distant artillery. “That, indeed, is a splendid sight.”
“And sound too,” added Mr. S——. “How many more are there to go off now?”
“As many more,” I replied, “but there is no danger, they are all trimmed to a nicety, and made to fall at least 300 feet before exploding.”
“If these things were used on a large scale, how would you manage their ignition?” enquired the engineer.
“That might be by concussion, supposing the shells were formed like a pear, with two or three nipples at the heavier end, and by fuse as well in case of failure when striking, but we will speak of these matters by and bye; please to note down, barometer 25·4 and thermometer 47° Fahrenheit; we have been so busy as not to have observed the pressure and temperature, which were considerable.”
“It does not feel so much colder,” observed Mr. N——.
“No,” I answered, “for my part, it appears to me warmer, owing to my going up and down the ladder and otherwise exerting myself; but pray notice our course: you, as a resident, know all about that.”
“I am much mistaken,” said the engineer, “if we are not going direct for Waterloo. We are too, by Jove!”
“Bravo,” I exclaimed; “how stands the barometer?”