The Columbus journal., 1909-04-14
ILLUSTRATED
~
NIL:

two plates are working against each
other with nearly equal force. the bal.
ance being disturbed only in ratio ia
gravitation.''
The solution of the 1lying ma.
'chine!" jenkins shouted excitedly. and
Roberts. approaching the engineers
quick understanding, smiled and re.
sponded:
Yes. just that 30
But what will furnish its propul.
sfon? asked Jenkins. whose mind
was travelling over the possibilities Of
rapid flight. The others evinced their
interest by craning forward.
1T will furnish its own" the SCI
enlist answered. because by the use
of the apparatus behind 1t we can
excite its radioactivity to any degree
that might be safe. More plainly. the
moment the current excites and there
fore increases the power of the lower
plate, lifting energy could be exerted
which would destroy the equilibrium
Of deviation and drive the plates into
the air with q force corresponding to
the strength or character Of the eur
rent. Or, on the other hand. II the
upper plate was similarly excited, thus
nherating its c0rpuscles. the plate
would be driven toward the earth"
The admiral. who had been slowly
following this dissertation. seemed
suddenly to have, grasped its entire
meaning. and thrust himself out from
the group with both hands extended
and gesticulating rapidly. Then all
you have to do" he said. ''is to put
on either end Of your airship q free
board made OF this metal. capable Of
excitation and insulated on its inner
surface. and you would thereby be
able to drive your craft In either direc-
ton at any speed you might wish"
That's It exactly" answered Rob-
erts and jenkins in unison. The in
ventor continued:
Il can beat freeboard. however,
because l shall apply my electrical cur.
rent In such way as to send all the
corpuscles of radioactive matter in
any direction l may choose. l could
with this alloy even create magnets
OF unknown power. can built craft
In sections where magnets and radio
active surfaces will alternate"
He was growing excited as the mag
nitude Of the scope of his discovery
dawned upon his imagination. Norma
Gained him down: but the admiral, in
fected with these visions, took up the
strain and enthusiastically expatiated
to his companions. To him the skies
were already filed with flying ships
that were to swoop down over an enc
my. drop terrific bombs of high ex.
plosfves. and thus sweep the seas.
but future events. he was to learn,
cannot be predicted with certainty.
well. WE'LL" he said, briskly.
What next?"
Your engineers must assist me in
drawing plans. We shall want great
quantities Of new material and cleo.
trtcal equipment. and must have them
soon; because when We get well un.
der way we should be able to create
two or three of these radioplanes each
lay"
The great plates were locked in.
and the group repaired to one of the
ofhces. where for hours the inventor
elaborated his scheme of control. the
means of which were to be
worked out and drawings made BY the
engineers. And as they toiled over
heir plans. there spread from mouth
% mouth throughout the strange col.
my the story of the marvellous con.
:eption, until even the most prosaic
workman found himself dreaming and
over his task. Before dusk
lad crowded the light from the skies. |
he Columbia, under a full head of
'team, picked her way out to meet the
'cean swells. and headed for Miami,
where she was to send a message to
calling for strangely as.
orted supplies and notifying the anx.
Gus naval men that the dry dock
would not be needed.
ITO BE CONTINUED,