WE SEE AN ASTONISHING THING
“The most wonderful thing I have to show you,” said Lieutenant Allerton,
as Chaka divested himself of the gas-jacket and, after folding and
putting it away, prepared to open another chest, “is that which I owe
entirely to the genius of my inventive uncle, and his friendly interest
in me. Indeed, I may say with truth that you are the first persons in
all the world, save the President of the United States, my uncle and
myself and Chaka, who have ever been initiated into the mysteries of the
marvelous electrite. That is not its correct scientific name, but that
is what I shall call it. Some day I am sure this invention will
revolutionize and abolish warfare, securing peace to all the nations of
the earth. It is so tremendous in its possibilities that when Uncle
Simeon finally perfected it, after years of experimenting, he was afraid
to give it to the public. He took the President into his confidence,
with the result that they have decided to wait and watch conditions
before deciding what to do with the electrite. But my uncle has been
anxious to test the contrivance in actual use, and at my earnest
entreaty permitted me to have eight of them made, to carry with me on my
expedition. I may say that I rely more upon the possession of these
electrites than upon any other portion of my equipment to carry us
through to success.”
In the chest which Chaka now opened we saw a number of carefully wrapped
parcels. One of these the lieutenant picked up and opened on the cabin
table. There was a layer of stout paper, a wooden box, a covering of
felt, one of chamois, then white tissue—and finally Allerton produced a
nickel plated tube fifteen inches long and curved at one end like the
handle of a revolver. From this handle dangled two insulated electric
wires.
We were much interested in this proceeding, but as yet unable to
understand what the tube was for. From a square box Allerton next
withdrew a belt that at first glance resembled a cartridge-belt, except
that it was broader and twice as thick. All around the outer surface was
a row of curious electric tubes, joined irregularly together.
“This,” said the exhibitor, proceeding to strap the belt around his
waist, “is the most condensed form of the famous Simeon Wells storage
battery.” He then attached the wires of the tube to the belt and slipped
the electrite into a loop, or holster, at his right side. “I am now
ready,” continued Allerton, “to meet any savage beast or any foe that
dares face me, for I am armed with the most powerful weapon the world of
science has ever produced. If attacked I draw the electrite,” suiting
the action to the word, “point it at my enemy, and press this button on
the tube with my thumb. That will release a charge of electricity
sufficient to stun an elephant at a hundred yards’ distance.”
We looked at him in wonder, and many exclamations, varied according to
the temperament of the members of our group, greeted his assertion.
“How many times will it shoot?” asked Archie.
“Forty-five times. That will exhaust the power of the belt,” replied
Allerton.
“And then?” said Captain Steele.
“Then we must use another belt, sir. I have six belts for each
electrite, and eight electrites.”
“Have you ever tested it?” I asked, a little bewildered as I began to
comprehend the marvel of the thing.
“No; not yet. But Professor Wells, the inventor, has fully tested its
power, first on dogs and small animals, then on a horse, and finally
upon his janitor, who agreed to submit to the ordeal.”
“You don’t mean to say he murdered the man!” cried Uncle Naboth,
horrified.
“Not at all, sir. The most astonishing thing about the electrite is that
it doesn’t kill—it stuns. A charge from it will knock a man over
instantly, rendering him unconscious and apparently lifeless. From two
to three hours later, depending upon his physical condition and
vitality, he will regain consciousness and be little the worse for his
experience save perhaps for a headache. This is why I told you the
electrite is destined to abolish war and conserve peace. Nothing can
stand against it. Its use will enable an army to conquer and yet avoid
bloodshed. If electrites were used by two opposing forces no wails of
widow and orphans would follow in the wake of a battle to cast their
gloom over the victors.”
We sat spellbound and in silence for a time, thoughtfully considering
these things. Gradually I, for my part, began to appreciate the marvel
of this great invention.[1]
“I’d like to test it,” said Joe, calmly. “Will you try it on me,
Lieutenant?”
“You are too valuable a person to experiment upon,” said he; “but in a
way Chaka and I have tested each of our eight tubes, using an extra
storage belt which I brought along for that purpose. We secured
permission to hunt, one day, on the shore of Magdalena Bay, and knocked
over rabbits, gulls and a couple of coyotes with ease. We could not wait
to see if they recovered, but I have Uncle Simeon’s assurance that, in
the case of a man, recovery is certain unless he has some bad heart
trouble or other physical defect. Uncle’s janitor, upon whom he
experimented—a brawny Irishman—was upon his feet again in a little more
than two hours.”
“It’s surely a queer weapon,” remarked Uncle Naboth. “But when it comes
to fighting natives in Yucatan I guess I’d prefer a good rifle. What’s
the use of knockin’ an enemy over if you don’t put him out o’ business
for good an’ all?”
“No one likes to kill a human being when it can be avoided,” I answered,
rather indignantly. “If we are opposed by natives and can render them
unconscious for two hours, it’s just as good for our purpose as killing
the poor devils.”
“My idea, exactly, Sam,” approved Allerton. “But unfortunately we cannot
use our electrites at will, being limited in our number of battery
charges. So we must carry guns and revolvers, too, and save these finer
weapons for emergencies.”
He then proceeded to show us other curious things contained in the
chests, some of which you will hear of during the progress of my story.
Three of the big boxes were completely filled with mechanical toys and
novelties, aluminum utensils, brass buttons, metal combs, brushes of
various sorts, bales of gorgeous colored silks and china ornaments.
Allerton admitted that these things had cost him considerable money,
practically exhausting the combined resources of his eccentric but
inspired uncle and himself, as well as Chaka’s savings.
“If we do not succeed,” said he, quietly enough, “I shall be a bankrupt.
But if my plans carry, as I hope they will, no sacrifice is too great to
redeem the old homestead and provide for the future of those dear,
dependent women.”
“Succeed!” cried Archie; “of course we’ll succeed. With such an outfit
as that there’s no chance at all of failure.”
No one replied to this enthusiastic speech. We were busy with our
thoughts. There was a long and difficult journey before us, fraught with
desperate adventures, before any one might say with assurance that
success lay within our grasp.
But we considered it worth the attempt, nevertheless.