On a Torn-Away World | Page 3

much farther advanced in knowledge of the practical sciences than other boys of
their age.
The professor welcomed them cordially and at their request gave a thorough scrutiny to
the various mechanical contrivances that went to the make-up of the flying machine. He
pronounced it, as far as could be known before a practical test, a perfect mechanism.
"And we will try it to-morrow morning, boys," he said, with almost as much enthusiasm
as Jack and Mark themselves displayed. "You have completed the machine in excellent
time, and I "un likewise ready to make the experiment."
"What experiment, Professor?" asked the boys in chorus.
"Haven't you noticed what I was tinkering on at the other end of the shop?" queried
Professor Henderson, in surprise.
"Why, I see that you have a long steel plank there, with some kind of a compressed air
contrivance at one end," said Jack.
"Is that what you mean, Professor?" queried Mark.
"That, boys," said the scientist, with some pride, "is a modern catapult--an
up-to-the-minute catapult which, had it been known to the ancients, would have enabled
the hosts of Joshua, for instance, to batter down the walls of Jericho without the trouble
of marching so many times around the city."
"And what has a compressed air catapult got to do with the Snowbird?" queried Jack.
"You propose launching your flying machine in the usual way," said the professor. "I see
you have wheel trucks all ready to slip under her. We will not use those wheels, boys. I
have a better plan. We will launch the Snowbird into the air from my catapult."
"Great goodness, Professor!" cried Mark. "Is that practicable?"
"We'll know after we have tried it," retorted Professor Henderson, drily.
"How did you happen to start working on this catapult idea?" asked Jack.
"Well, I can't tell you everything," replied the inventor, "for it is partly a secret."
"Huh," laughed Mark. "You're mysterious. You haven't joined forces with some
department of our government, or with another country?"
The professor smiled, thinking how keen this young man always proved himself to be.
"You've guessed it," he replied. "And I'm sorry I can't explain more to you."
"We understand," said Jack. "And no doubt this machine is a super-catapult."

"True," was the answer. "Of untold use to the scientific world. For the present I shall
confine testing its efficiency right in this place. Now is my chance."
"But of what advantage will it be to our flying machine to start it in this way?" "Stop and
think, my boy," said the professor. "Just as an aeroplane can literally be shot into the air
within a very short space, so can your airship. Of course, this is not necessary, but we
will be able to start the ship much faster that way than we could withjust the motors."
"You'll make history, Professor," added Jack. "Exciting headlines for the papers."
"Sure enough," said Mark enthusiastically.
"The publicity doesn't interest me," replied the scientist. "Moreover, my super-catapult
must remain a secret, as I told you a while ago."
"So you really propose to launch the Snowbird in this way?" asked Jack.
"We will be shot into the air. If you are sure of your machine, I am sure of my catapult,
and we will try the two contrivances together."
In the morning all rose bright and early and prepared the Snowbird for her trial flight.
Washington White had indeed disappeared--possibly in search of his Shanghai
rooster--and Andy Sudds was off on a hunt. Therefore the professor and his two young
comrades essayed the trip alone.
Jack and Mark tossed a coin to see who should first guide the great air machine, and
Mark won the preference. He, as well as his chum and the professor, had already donned
their aeronautic uniforms, and he now strapped himself into the pilot's seat. The steering
apparatus, the levers that controlled the planes, and the motor switch were all under his
hand. While in flight the Snowbird need be under the control of but one person at a time.
The professor had rigged his catapult so that he could release the trigger from the flying
machine. Mark said he was ready; the professor reached for the cord which would release
the trigger.
"Start your motor, Mark, a fraction of a second before I release the compressed air,"
commanded Mr. Henderson. "Now!"
The motor of the flying machine buzzed faintly. Jack's eyes were on the speed indicator.
He suddenly felt the great, quivering flying machine, which had been run out of the
hangar on to the steel plank of the catapult, lurch forward. The feeling affected him just
as the sudden dropping of an elevator from a great height affects its passengers.
The finger of the speed indicator whirled and marked forty miles an