Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1930 — John Shaqi
Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1930
Science
Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1930
Science fiction -- Periodicals; Science fiction, American -- Periodicals
"How large are full grown ones if this is a baby?" asked the
lieutenant.
"The Lord alone knows," replied Dr. Bird. "I hope that I never have to
face one and find out. Well, now that we know what we are fighting, we
ought to be able to settle its hash."
"High explosive?" suggested the lieutenant.
"I don't think so. With such a low nervous organization, we would have
to tear it practically to pieces to kill it, and I am anxious to keep it
from mutilation for scientific study. I have an idea, but I'll have to
study a while before I am sure of the details. Send me the radio
operator."
The next day the Bureau mechanics began to dismount the apparatus from
the tank and to assemble another elaborate contrivance. Before they had
made an end of the work additional equipment arrived from Washington,
which was incorporated in the new set-up. At length Dr. Bird pronounced
himself ready for the attempt.
* * * * *
Under his direction, three cattle were driven into the cave and there
tethered. They were there the next morning unharmed, but the second
night the now familiar bellowing and howling came from the depths of the
cave and in the morning two of the cattle were gone.
"That will keep him quiet for a day or two," said the doctor, "and now
to work!"
The tank made its way into the cave, dragging after it two huge cables
which led to an engine-driven generator outside the cave. These cables
were attached to the terminals of a large motor which was set up in the
cave near the place where the cattle were customarily tethered. This
motor was the actuating force which turned two generators, one large and
one small. The smaller one was mounted on a platform on wheels, which
also contained the spark gaps, the reflectors and other apparatus which
produced the beam of ultra-violet light which had been used to
photograph the monster.
From the larger generator led two copper bars. One of these was
connected to a huge copper plate which was laid flat on the floor of the
cave. The other led to a platform which was erected on huge porcelain
insulators some fifteen feet above the floor. Huge condensers were set
up on this platform, and Dr. Bird announced himself in readiness.
A steer was dragged into the cave and up a temporary runway which led to
the platform containing the condensers, and there tied with the copper
bus bar from the larger generator fastened to three flexible copper
straps which led around the animal's body. When this had been completed,
everyone except the doctor, Carnes, and Lieutenant Leffingwell left the
cave. These three crouched behind the search-light which sent a mild
beam of ultra-violet onto the platform where the steer was held. The
engine outside the cave was started, and the three men waited with tense
nerves.
For several hours nothing happened. The steer tried from time to time to
move and, finding it impossible, set up plaintive bellows for liberty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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