“If it’s like everything else on this wonderful craft it must be,” assented Jack warmly.
“The force that I use is nothing more nor less than steam,” responded the inventor.
“Steam?” echoed Jack. “Why, how——”
“Wait and I’ll show you,” was the reply.
Mr. Dancer bent over the breech of the odd-looking gun and threw it open.
“I am going to show you the most remarkable feature of the White Shark,” he said.
CHAPTER IV.
MORE STRANGE DISCOVERIES.
Within the breech of the gun was disclosed a chamber enclosing a small cylinder of steel. This was ribbed by metallic strips connected with electric wires and capable of being superheated by electrical current. Inside this chamber was placed the explosive projectile which it was desired to launch.
This done, a small amount of water was admitted to the electrically connected chamber, and a switch turned which caused the metal to become superheated. In a flash steam, at terrific pressure, was formed, and by a twist of a handle it could be released when desired. Simple as the device appeared, Mr. Dancer informed the boys that in some experiments that he had made it had proved most effective.