Таємничий острів

           Infact,asregardspracticaleffect,thetransitdescribedbytheballoughttobeasextendedaspossible,andthistensioncouldonlybeobtainedundertheconditionthattheprojectileshouldbeimpelledwithaverygreatinitialvelocity.

           "Now,"saidHardingtohiscompanions,"theinitialvelocityisinproportiontothequantityofpowderused.Inthefabricationofthesepieces,everythingdependsonemployingametalwiththehighestpossiblepowerofresistance,andsteelisincontestablythatmetalofallotherswhichresiststhebest.Ihave,therefore,reasontobelievethatourgunswillbearwithoutrisktheexpansionofthepyroxylegas,andwillgiveexcellentresults."

           "Weshallbeagreatdealmorecertainofthatwhenwehavetriedthem!"answeredPencroft.

           Itisunnecessarytosaythatthefourcannonswereinperfectorder.Sincetheyhadbeentakenfromthewater,thesailorhadbestowedgreatcareuponthem.Howmanyhourshehadspent,inrubbing,greasing,andpolishingthem,andincleaningthemechanism!AndnowthepieceswereasbrilliantasiftheyhadbeenonboardafrigateoftheUnitedStatesNavy.

           Onthisday,therefore,inpresenceofallthemembersofthecolony,includingMasterJupandTop,thefourcannonweresuccessivelytried.Theywerechargedwithpyroxyle,takingintoconsiderationitsexplosivepower,which,ashasbeensaid,isfourtimesthatofordinarypowder:theprojectiletobefiredwascylindroconic.

           Pencroft,holdingtheendofthequick-match,stoodreadytofire.

           AtHarding’ssignal,hefired.