The belts pass along the
outer edges of the tank longitudinally, and go around cogged
wheels at either end of the blunt noses.
"When both belts travel at the same rate of speed the tank
goes in a straight line, though it can be steered from side
to side by means of a trailer wheel in the rear. Making one
belt--one set of caterpillar wheels, you know--go faster
than the other will make the tank travel to one side or the
other, the turn being in the direction of the slowest moving
belt. In this way we can steer when the trailer wheels are
broken."
"And what does your tank do except travel along, not
minding a hail of bullets?" asked Mr. Nestor.
"Well," answered Tom, "it can do anything any other tank
can do, and then some more. It can demolish a good-sized
house or heavy wall, break down big trees, and chew up
barbed-wire fences as if they were toothpicks. I'll show you
all that in due time. Just now, if the repairs are finished,
we can get back on the road--"
At that moment a door leading into the compartment where
Tom and his friends were talking opened, and one of the
workmen said:
"A man outside asking to see you, Mr.
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