Ned grasped one of the safety rings, as, with a reel to
one side, almost as if it were going to capsize, the tank
rumbled on. Tom cast a half-amused smile at his chum, and
then threw over the guiding lever.
The tank rolled down into the gully. It was rough and
filled with stones and boulders, some of considerable size.
But Tank A made less than nothing even of the largest rocks.
Some she crushed beneath her steel belts. Others she simply
"walked" over, smashing them down into the soil.
Now the big machine reached the bottom of the gulch and
started up the sides, which, though not as steep as the
trench in which she had capsized, still were not easy going.
"Now for it!" cried Tom, as he signaled for full speed.
Up climbed the tank. Now she was halfway. A moment later,
and she was at the top, and then a forward careening motion
told that she had passed over the summit and was ready for
the attack proper.
Ned gave a quick glance through the slot nearest him. He
had a glimpse of the barn, and then he saw something else.
This was the sight of a man running away from the
dilapidated structure--a man who glanced toward the tank
with a face that showed great fright.
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