CHAPTER XXIII
NEWS OF THE MINE
"Just a little farther over this way, Ned. That's better. Now mark it there, and we'll have it clamped down."
"But can you get enough elevation here, Tom?"
"Oh, yes, I think so. Besides, I've added a few more inches to the lift of the disappearing carriage, and it will send the gun so much farther in the air. I think this will do. Where is Koku?"
"Here I be, Master."
"Just get hold of that small derrick, Koku, and lift up one of the projectiles. I want to see if they come in the right place for the breech before I set the hoisting apparatus permanently."
The giant was soon engaged in winding up the rope of an improvised hoist that stood about in the position the permanent one was to go. From the interior of the barbette, which was, in effect,
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