“How different?”
“Well, look at these drawings. Instead of those digging devices you see sticking out of the front end of our experimental model, the new one will have four electrodes spaced around the nose and a long guide vane sticking right out of the center.”
“What’s the idea o’ them things?” Chow asked.
“Well, you see, the old model just ground up the dirt and rocks mechanically.
But on my new blaster, these electrodes sticking out in front will melt any rock on contact. Then the molten liquid will be drawn in through these intake ports, and further smelting will take place inside the machine. The resulting hot gases will jet out through these exhaust ports at the rear.”
The ex-cowpoke swallowed hard and scratched his head.
“Well, I reckon it’s okay if you say so, son,” he 68 TOM SWIFT AND HIS ATOMIC BLASTER
commented, “but it jest looks like some kind o’ giant bug to me. An’ it sure ain’t the kind anyone in Texas would want to see crawlin’ around out on the range!”
Tom burst out laughing.
“You’re gonna test this contraption before we get down to that land o’ ice ‘n’
snow, ain’t you?” the cook went on anxiously.
“I’ll tell you a secret, Chow,” the young inventor replied. “I’m going to offer to dig that tunnel through Pine Hill for the extra water supply Shopton needs. Come to think of it, I may as well do that right now.”
Snatching up the phone, Tom first called his father for approval. Obtaining it, he called the water company and asked to speak to Mr. Greenup.
“Well, what is it now?” growled the president.
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