"The idea is," said Tom, "to lay these down in front of
the tank, by means of cams and levers operated from inside.
If we get to a ditch which we can't climb down into and out
again, or bridge with the belt caterpillar wheels, we'll use
the grippers. They'll be laid down, taking a grip on the far
side of the trench, and we'll slide across on them."
"And leave them there?" asked Mr. Damon.
"No, we won't leave them. We'll pick them up after we have
passed over them and use them in front again as we need
them. A couple of extra pairs of grippers may be carried for
emergencies, but I plan to use the same ones over and over
again."
"But what makes it go?" asked Mary. "I don't want all the
details, Tom," she said, with a smile, "but I'd like to know
what makes your tank move."
"I'll be able to show you in a little while," he answered.
"But it may be enough now if I tell you that the main power
consists of two big gasolene engines, one on either side.
They can be geared to operate together or separately. And
these engines turn the endless belts made of broad, steel
plates, on which the tank travels.
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