Tom could see that it was a wonderful weapon, though he thought he would have put on another jacket toward the muzzle, to further strengthen that portion.
"I'm going to make a gun bigger than that," said Tom to Ned. He spoke rather louder than he intended, and, as it was at a moment when there was a period of silence, the words carried to General Waller, who was at that moment near Tom.
"What's that?" inquired the rather fiery-tempered officer, as he looked sharply at our hero.
"I said I was going to make a larger gun than that," repeated Tom, modestly.
"Sir! Do you know what you are saying? How did you come in here, anyhow? I thought no civilians were to be admitted to-day! Explain how you got here!"
Tom felt an angry flush mounting to his cheeks.
"I came in here on a pass countersigned by you," he replied.
"A pass countersigned by me? Let me see it."
Tom passed it over.
"Humph, it doesn't seem to be forged," went on the pompous officer. "Who are you, anyhow?"
