Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-07-25
CHAPTER VII.
The Fireworks

up on the roof. These evenings were
the ~pleasantest part of the days.
During the day the chevalier read
the daily papers and magazines with
great interest. He found plenty OF
e~ngrossing new there. especially the
preparations of the co~nfederated navy
and army. One article, very we'll
written by inc of the chief engineers.
particularly attracted his attention.
That article described the 2 ray and
its destroyer. The supply station of
destruction was Madeira, from which
place heavy cables were laid to reach
the S0th longitudinal meridian. along
which the q ray ran. The heaviest
current of electricity was conducted
by this tremendous cable to three spe-
cialiy built boats. The Sampsonian
vibrating rays were generated on these
boats. Each ray made 100000 vibra-
tons a second and all were directed
in q harmonious line toward the 2 ray
belt In time the wall of isolation
would fall down under the immense
force playing against 1t. and the In
weston Of America would follow.
After a long study the chevalier
placed the magazine on the table and
muttered: 1.-THE time for action is
nearing"
One evening at the dinner table the
chevaiier 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 IN expert; he 500 had
q large Japanese wheel, several turn
ing stars and also q number Of long
sky rockets ready.
When evening came they excttedly
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 a pun. broke into thousands
of red sparks. Another puff brought
white and the third brought blue
The next wat the Japanese sun;
this was fastened to the center OF the
roof. It circled and sparkled for q
long time.
The chevalier was deeply interested
in his projectiles and. as the countess
assisted him, Captain Euler had to
play the part of audience. There was
a larger audience outside their inclos-
ure. but that was another world.
When all the set pieces we're used
14ha nhexaliar lnalzed up IN the sky
seemingly searching for something;
at last his hand went into his pocket
and, bringing out an object not unlike
q Browning pistol, he said: "And now,
ladies' and gentlemen. l will show you
something new in the pyrotechnical
art"
He elevated his arm. After a few
twiriings and tw%istings of the instru-
ment a click was heard and then came
the whizzing sound of a bullet.
Nov watch right above u.s."
Five minutes later, at an immense
height, a flash occurred. Directly
after the flash a spiral light began to
descend, slowly; then, after several
minutes, an explosion followed that
put an end to the dropping spiral Of
FIRE and above them a small white
cloud puff slowly fell downward.
THAT was a beautyi" commented
Captain Euler.
Have you any rnore3" inquired the
countess.
Il am sorry, madam, but this is the
last for tonight" answered Chevalier
di Leon, with eyes turned steadily
toward the southeast. They all sat
down, and Captain Euler and the
countess started a conversation in
which the chevalier refused to take
part; he was watching the sky and
the stars. 1t was much later than
usual when he returned to his gilt
cage, but he was satisfied at last; he
had seen a star that winked at him
Familiarity.
The next day the countess asked If
they were to have fireworks again, but
the chevalier thought It would lose its
charm IL they had the displays too
oAbon- ne EellIou uib EOOm tndL
evening. complaining OF a slight head
ache.
Shall / call the post doctorf" asked
Captain Euler. but the chevalier de-
clined.
When in his sleeping-room he looked
over the contents of his small baggage
and selected a number Of articles that
he packed into one bundle. Then he
left the room.
The reading-room vas the m that
o. connected with the outer world
by the stairway that ran to the roof.
The chevaiier stepped quickly to the
door leading to the corridor and list
ened; he could hear the sentry walk
ing up and down. He saw with salts
A-~AA,u 49, a. So A-.fl - f-~a-A