"Well, the worst is over," remarked Ned, as he saw the
nose of the tank project beyond the farthermost bank.
"Yes, even if they collapse now nothing much can happen,"
Tom answered. "It won't be any worse than wallowing down
into a trench and out again. But I think the spanners will
hold."
And hold they did! They held, giving way not a fraction of
an inch, until the tank was safely across, and then, after a
little delay, due to a jamming of one of the recovery
cables, the spanners were picked up, slid into the receiving
sockets, and the great war engine was ready to proceed
again.
"Hurrah!" cried Ned. "She did it, Tom, old man!" and he
clapped his chum resoundingly on the back.
"She certainly did!" was the answer. "But you needn't
knock me apart telling me that. Go easy!"
"Bless my apple pie!" cried Mr. Damon, who was as much
pleased as either of the boys, "this is what I call great!"
"Yes, she did all that I could have hoped for," said Tom.
"Now for the next test."
"Bless my collar button! is there another?"
"Just down into a trench and out again.
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