"That's part of the game," remarked Tom. "And don't forget that we can fire, too—or we'll be able to when I get the guns in place. They'll help to balance the machine better, too, and render her less likely to overturn."
Tom considered the test a satisfactory one and, a little later, guided his tank back to the shop, where men were set to work repairing the little damage done and making some adjustments.
"What's next on the program?" asked Ned of his chum one day about a week later. "Any more tests in view?"
"Yes," answered Tom. "I've got the machine guns in place now. We are going to try them out and also endeavor to demolish a building and some barbed wire. Like to come along?"
"I would!" cried Ned.
A little later the tank was making her way over a field. Tom pointed toward a deserted factory, which had long been partly in ruins, but some of the walls of which still stood.
"I'm going to bombard that," he announced, and then try to batter it down and roll over it like a Juggernaut. Are you game?"
"Do your worst!" laughed Ned. "Let me man one of the machine guns!"
"All right," agreed Tom. "Concentrate your fire. Make believe you're going against the Germans!"
Slowly, but with resistless energy, the tank approached the ruined factory.