So long was the tank that the
forward end, or the "nose," was halfway across the stream
before the bottom part of the endless belts gripped the
latticed bridge.
"If we fall, we'll span the creek, not fall into it,"
murmured Ned, as he looked from the observation slot.
"That's what I counted on," Tom said. "We'll get out, even
if we do fall."
But Tank A was not destined to fall. In another moment her
entire weight rested on the novel and transportable bridge
Tom Swift had evolved. Then, as the gripping ends of the
girders sank farther into the soil, the tank went on her
way.
Slowly, at half speed, she crawled over the steel beams,
making progress over the creek and as safely above the water
as though on a regularly constructed bridge.
On and on she went. Now her entire weight was over the
middle of the temporary structures. If they were going to
give way at all, it would be at this point But they did not
give. The latticed and triangular steel, than which there is
no stronger form of construction, held up the immense
weight of Tank A, and on this novel bridge she propelled
herself across Tinkle Creek.
Pages:
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121