As the foreman had said, if the waters (in case the dam burst) could be turned into this transverse valley, the town could be saved.
"But it would take considerable digging to open a way through that side of the mountain, into the other valley," went on the man.
"Yes," said Tom, and then he gave the matter no further thought, for something came up that needed his attention.
"Have you your explosive here?" asked the foreman of the young inventor the next day, when the weather showed signs of clearing.
"Yes, some of it," said Tom. "I have another supply in a safe place in the village. I didn't want to bring too much here until the gun was to be fired. I can easily get it if we need it. Jove! I wish it would clear. I want to get out in my Humming Bird, but I can't if this keeps up." Tom had brought one of his speedy little airships with him to Preston.
The following day the clouds broke a little, and on the next the sun shone. Then the work on the gun went on apace. Tom and his friends were delighted.
"Well, I think we can try a shot tomorrow!" announced Tom with delight on the evening of the first clear day, when all hands had worked at double time.
"Bless my powder-horn!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "You don't mean it!"
"Yes, the gun is all in place," went on the young inventor. "Of course, it's only a temporary carriage, and not the disappearing one I shall eventually use. But it will do. I'm going to try a shot tomorrow. Everything is in readiness."
There came a knock on the door of the room Tom had fitted up as an office in the old farmhouse.