Looking about, to see that all was in readiness, Tom gave orders to load the guns, blank charges being used, of course.
The recoil apparatus was in place, and it now remained to see if it would do the work for which it was designed.
"All ready?" asked the young inventor.
"Bless my accident insurance policy!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I'm as ready as ever I shall be, Tom. Let 'em go!"
"Hold fast!" cried Tom, as he prepared to press the electrical switch which would set off the guns. Ned and Lieutenant Marbury stood near the indicators to notice how much of the recoil would be neutralized by the check apparatus.
"Here we go!" cried the young inventor, and, at the same moment, from down below on the ground, came a warning cry:
"Don't shoot, Massa Tom. Don't shoot! Mah mule, Boomerang—"
But Eradicate had spoken too late. Tom pressed the switch; there was a deafening crash, a spurt of flame, and then followed wild cries and confused shouts, while the echoes of the reports rolled about the hills surrounding Shopton.