The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-06-25
The Fireworks.

The Fireworks.
Eyery. evening after that, except
when it stor1ned, the prisoners went
up on the roof. These evenings were
the p1easantest part of the days
During the day the chevaIier read
the daily papers and magazines with
great interest He found plenty OF
engrossing news there, especially the
preparations of the confederated navy
and army. One article, very well
written by one of the chief engineers,
particularly attracted his attention.
That article described the z ray and
its destroyer. The supply station Of
destruction was Madeira, from which
place heavy cables were laid to reach
the seth longitudinal meridian, along
which the z ray ran. The heaviest
current of electricity was conducted
by this tremendous cable to three spe-
cially built boats The Sampsonian
vibrating rays were generated on these
boats. Each ray made 100000 vibra-
tons a second and all were directed
| IN a harmonious line toward the 2 ray
| belt. In time the wall of isolation
would fall down under the immense
| force playing against it. and the in
vasion of America would follow.
After a long study the chevalier
| placed the magazine on the table and
muttered: THE time for action is
nearing"
One evening at the dinner table the
chevalier asked Captain Euler if he
could have some material for pyro-
technical displays in order to lessen
the monotony of their existence.
The kind captain furnished every
| thing he asked for. The countess of
| fered her services and they worked al
most all afternoon the next day get
| ting the fireworks ready. Di Leon
seemed to be an expert; he soon had
a large japanese wheel, several turn
ing stars and also a number of long
sky rockets ready.
When evening came they excitedly
| prepared for the grand fireworks. The
sky was clear and the moon had not
yet risen Chevalier di Leon arranged
the different pieces, and when the cap.
tain came up he fired the first air run
/ ner. The long rocket went high UP
in the air. whirring and whistling, and
then, with puff, broke into thousands
of red sparks. Another puff brought
| white and the third brought blue.
The next was the Japanese sun;
this was fastened to the center of the
roof. 1t circ1ed and sparkled for q
long time.
| The chevalier was deeply interested
in his projectiles and, as the countess
assisted him, Captain Euler had tc
play the part of audience. There was
| larger audience outside their incIos
ure, but that was another world.
When all the set pieces were useG
the chevalier looked up in the sky
seemingly searching for something
at last his hand vent into his pocket
and, bringing out an object not unlike
Browning pistol, he said: And now
ladies and gentlemen, will show yoJ
something new in the pyrotechnica
art"
He elevated his arm. After a few
writings and twistings Of the instru
ment click was heard and then came
) the whizzing sound of bullet.
Now watch right above u.s."
/ rive D1lutG6 IdlGTy at ill
height, fash occurred. Directl!
after the flash a spiral light began tt
descend, slowly; then after severa
minutes, an explosion followed tina
put an end TO the dropping spiral o
fire and above them a small white
cloud puff slowly fell downward
THAT was beauty!" commented
CAPTAIN Euler
; Have you any more?" inquired tn,
: countess
Il am sorry, madam, but this is TIT
S last for tonight" answered Chevalie
di Leon, with eyes turned steadil,
toward the southeast They all sa
down, and Captain Euler and tn,
countess started a conversation il
which the chevalier refused to takt
part; he was watching the sky am
the stars. It was much later thar
usual when he returned to his gil
cage, but he was satisfied at last; b,
had seen a star that winked at hin
Familiarity.
r The next day the countess asked i
: they were to have fireworks again, bu
the chevalier thought 1t would lose it
charm If they had the displays to,
often. He retired to his room tina
evening, complaining OF slight head
ache.
. Shall call the post doctor?'' aske,
> Captain Euler, but the chevalier de
elined.
When in his sleeping-room he locke,
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