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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.07.00*END* + + + + + + +Scanned and OCR'd by Tom Szolyga + + + + +Tom Swift and His Airship + +by Victor Appleton + + + + +Contents + + I - An Explosion + II - Ned Sees Mysterious Men + III - Whitewashed + IV - A Trial Trip + V - Colliding With A Tower + VI - Getting Off The Roof + VII - Andy Tries A Trick + VIII - Winning a Prize + IX - The Runaway Auto + X - A Bag of Tools + XI - The "Red Cloud" Departs + XII - Some Startling News + XIII - Mr. Damon in Danger + XIV - Andy Gives the Clue + XV - Fired Upon + XVI - Over a Fiery Furnace + XVII - "Wanted -- For Robbery!" +XVIII - Back for Vindication + XIX - Wrecked + XX - Tom Gets a Clue + XXI - On the Trail + XXII - The Sheriff on Board +XXIII - On To the Camp + XXIV - The Raid + XXV - Andy Gets His Reward + + + + +Chapter 1 - An Explosion + + + +"Are you all ready, Tom?" + +"All ready, Mr. Sharp," replied a young man, who was stationed near +some complicated apparatus, while the questioner, a dark man, with a +nervous manner, leaned over a large tank. + +"I'm going to turn on the gas now," went on the man. "Look out for +yourself. I'm not sure what may happen." + +"Neither am I, but I'm ready for it. If it does explode it can't do +much damage." + +"Oh, I hope it doesn't explode. We've had so much trouble with the +airship, I trust nothing goes wrong now." + +"Well, turn, on the gas, Mr. Sharp," advised Tom Swift. "I'll watch +the pressure gauge, and, if it goes too high, I'll warn you, and you +can shut it off." + +The man nodded, and, with a small wrench in his hand, went to one end +of the tank. The youth, looking anxiously at him, turned his gaze now +and then toward a gauge, somewhat like those on steam boilers, which +gauge was attached to an aluminum, cigar-shaped affair, about five +feet long. + +Presently there was a hissing sound in the small frame building where +the two were conducting an experiment which meant much to them. The +hissing grew louder. + +"Be ready to jump," advised Mr. Sharp. + +"I will," answered the lad. "But the pressure is going up very slowly. +Maybe you'd better turn on more gas." + +"I will. Here she goes! Look out now. You can't tell what is going to +happen." + +With a sudden hiss, as the powerful gas, under pressure, passed from +the tank, through the pipes, and into the aluminum container, the hand +on the gauge swept past figure after figure on the dial. + +"Shut it off!" cried Tom quickly. "It's coming too fast! Shut her +off!" + +The man sprang to obey the command, and, with nervous fingers, sought +to fit the wrench over the nipple of the controlling valve. Then his +face seemed to turn white with fear. + +"I can't move it!" Mr. Sharp yelled. "It's jammed! I can't shut off +the gas! Run! Look out! She'll explode!" + +Tom Swift, the young inventor, whose acquaintance some of you have +previously made, gave one look at the gauge, and seeing that the +pressure was steadily mounting, endeavored to reach, and open, a stop- +cock, that he might relieve the strain. One trial showed him that the +valve there had jammed too, and catching up a roll of blue prints the +lad made a dash for the door of the shop. He was not a second behind +his companion, and hardly had they passed out of the structure before +there was a loud explosion which shook the building, and shattered all +the windows in it. + +Pieces of wood, bits of metal, and a cloud of sawdust and shavings +flew out of the door after the man and the youth, and this was +followed by a cloud of yellowish smoke. + +"Are you hurt, Tom?" cried Mr. Sharp, as he swung around to look back +at the place where the hazardous experiment had been conducted. + +"Not a bit! How about you?" + +"I'm all right. But it was touch and go! Good thing you had the gauge +on or we'd never have known when to run. Well, we've made another +failure of it," and the man spoke somewhat bitterly. + +"Never mind, Mr. Sharp," went on Tom Swift. "I think it will be the +last mistake. I see what the trouble is now; and know how to remedy +it. Come on back, and we'll try it again; that is if the tank hasn't +blown up." + +"No, I guess that's all right. It was the aluminum container that went +up, and that's so light it didn't do much damage. But we'd better wait +until some of those fumes escape. They're not healthy to breathe." + +The cloud of yellowish smoke was slowly rolling away, and the man and +lad were approaching the shop, which, in spite of the explosion that +had taken place in it, was still intact, when an aged man, coming from +a handsome house not far off, called out, "Tom, is anyone hurt?" + +"No, dad. We're all right." + +"What happened?" + +"Well, we had another explosion. We can't seem to get the right +mixture of the gas, but I think we've had the last of our bad luck. +We're going to try it again. Up to now the gas has been too strong, +the tank too weak, or else our valve control is bad." + +"Oh dear, Mr. Swift! Do tell them to be careful!" a woman's voice +chimed in. "I'm sure something dreadful will happen! This is about the +tenth time something has blown up around here, and-" + +"It's only the ninth, Mrs. Baggert," interrupted Tom, somewhat +indignantly. + +"Well, goodness me! Isn't nine almost as bad as ten? There I was, just +putting my bread in the oven," went on Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, +"and I was so startled that I dropped it, and now the dough is all +over the kitchen floor. I never saw such a mess." + +"I'm sorry," answered the youth, trying not to laugh. "We'll see that +it doesn't happen again." + +"Yes; that's what you always say," rejoined the motherly-looking +woman, who looked after the interests of Mr. Swift's home. + +"Well, we mean it this time," retorted the lad. "We see where our +mistake was; don't we. Mr. Sharp?" + +"I think so," replied the other seriously. + +"Come on back, and we'll see what damage was done," proposed Tom. +"Maybe we can rig up another container, mix some fresh gas, and make +the final experiment this afternoon." + +"Now do be careful," cautioned Mr. Swift, the aged inventor, once +more. "I'm afraid you two have set too hard a task for yourselves this +time." + +"No we haven't, dad," answered his son. "You'll see us yet skimming +along above the clouds." + +"Humph! If you go above the clouds I shan't be very likely to see you. +But go slowly, now. Don't blow the place up again." + +Mr. Swift went into the house, followed by Mrs. Baggert, who was +loudly bewailing the fate of her bread. Tom and Mr. Sharp started +toward the shop where they had been working. It was one of several +buildings, built for experimental purposes and patent work by Mr. +Swift, near his home. + +"It didn't do so very much damage," observed Tom, as he peered in +through a window, void of all the panes of glass. "We can start right +in." + +"Hold on! Wait! Don't try it now!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp, who talked in +short, snappy sentences, which, however, said all he meant. "The fumes +of that gas aren't good to breathe. Wait, until they have blown away. +It won't be long. It's safer." + +He began to cough, choking from the pungent odor, and Tom felt an +unpleasant tickling sensation in his throat. + +"Take a walk around," advised Mr. Sharp. "I'll be looking over the +blue prints. Let's have 'em." + +Tom handed over the roll he had grabbed up when he ran from the shop, +just before the explosion took place, and, while his companion spread +them out on his knee, as he sat on an upturned barrel, the lad walked +toward the rear of the large yard. It was enclosed by a high board +fence, with a locked gate, but Tom, undoing the fastenings, stepped +out into a broad, green meadow at the rear of his father's property. +As he did so he saw three boys running toward him. + +"Hello!" exclaimed our hero. "There are Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and +Pete Bailey. I wonder what they're heading this way for?" + +On the trio came, increasing their pace as they caught sight of Tom. +Andy Foger, a red-haired and squint-eyed lad, a sort of town bully, +with a rich and indulgent father, was the first to reach the young +inventor. + +"How-how many are killed?" panted Andy. + +"Shall we go for doctors?" asked Sam. + +"Can we see the place?" blurted out Pete, and he had to sit down on +the grass, he was so winded. + +"Killed? Doctors?" repeated Tom, clearly much puzzled. "What are you +fellows driving at, anyhow?" + +"Wasn't there a lot of people killed in the explosion we heard?" +demanded Andy, in eager tones. + +"Not a one," replied Tom. + +"There was an explosion!" exclaimed Pete. "We heard it, and you can't +fool us!" + +"And we saw the smoke," added Snedecker. + +"Yes, there was a small explosion," admitted Tom, with a smile, "but +no one was killed; or even hurt. We don't have such things happen in +our shops." + +"Nobody killed?" repeated Andy questioningly, and the disappointment +was evident in his tones. + +"Nobody hurt?" added Sam, his crony, and he, too, showed his chagrin. + +"All our run for nothing," continued Pete, another crony, in disgust. + +"What happened?" demanded the red-haired lad, as if he had a right to +know. "We were walking along the lake road, and we heard an awful +racket. If the police come out here, you'll have to tell what it was, +Tom Swift." He spoke defiantly. + +"I've no objection to telling you or the police," replied Tom. "There +was an explosion. My friend, Mr. Sharp, the balloonist, and I were +conducting an experiment with a new kind of gas, and it was too +strong, that's all. An aluminum container blew up, but no particular +damage was done. I hope you're satisfied." + +"Humph! What you making, anyhow?" demanded Andy, and again he spoke as +if he had a right to know. + +"I don't know that it's any of your business," Tom came back at him +sharply, "but, as everyone will soon know, I may as well tell you. +We're building an airship." + +"An airship?" exclaimed Sam and Pete in one breath. + +"An airship?" queried Andy, and there was a sneer in his voice. "Well, +I don't think you can do it, Tom Swift! You'll never build an airship; +even if you have a balloonist to help you!" + +"I won't, eh?" and Tom was a trifle nettled at the sneering manner of +his rival. + +"No, you won't! It takes a smarter fellow than you are to build an +airship that will sail. I believe I could beat you at it myself." + +"Oh, you think you could?" asked Tom, and this time he had mastered +his emotions. He was not going to let Andy Foger make him angry. +"Maybe you can beat me at racing, too?" he went on. "If you think so, +bring out your Red Streak and I'll try the Arrow against her. I beat +you twice, and I can do it again!" + +This unexpected taunt disconcerted Andy. It was the truth, for, more +than once had Tom, in his motor-boat, proved more than a match for the +squint-eyed bully and his cronies. + +"Go back at him, Andy," advised Sam, ire low voice. "Don't take any of +his guff!" + +"I don't intend to," spluttered Andy. "Maybe you did beat me in the +races, because my motor wasn't working right," he conceded, "but you +can't do it again. Anyhow, that's got nothing to do with an airship. +I'll bet you can't make one!" + +"I don't bet," replied Tom calmly, "but if you wait a few weeks you'll +see me in an airship, and then, if you want to race the Red Streak +against that, I'll accommodate you. Or, if you want to enter into a +competition to build a dirigible balloon or an aeroplane I'm willing." + +"Huh! Think you're smart, don't you? Just because you helped save that +balloonist from being killed when his balloon caught fire," went on +Andy, for want of something better to say. "But you'll never build an +airship!" + +"Of course he won't!" added Sam and Pete, bound to side with their +crony, to whom they were indebted for many automobile and motor-boat +rides. + +"Just wait," advised Tom, with a tantalizing smile. "Meanwhile, if you +want to try the Red Streak against the Arrow, I'm willing. I have an +hour or so to spare." + +"Aw, keep still!" muttered Andy, much discomfited, for the defeat of +his speedy boat, by a much smaller and less powerful one, was a sore +point with him. "You just wait, that's all. I'll get even with you!" + +"Look here!" cried Tom, suddenly. "You always say that whenever I get +the best of you. I'm sick of hearing it. I consider that a threat, and +I don't like it. If you don't look out, Andy Foger, you'll have +trouble with me, and at no very distant date!" + +Tom, with flashing eyes, and clenched fists, took a step forward. Andy +shrank back. + +"Don't be afraid of him," advised Sam. "We'll stand by you, Andy." + +"I ain't afraid," muttered the red-haired lad, but it was noticed that +he shuffled off. " You just wait, I'll fix you," he added to Tom. The +bully was plainly in a rage. + +The young inventor was about to reply, and, possibly would have made a +more substantial rejoinder to Andy than mere words, when the gate +opened, and Mr. Sharp stepped out. + +"The fumes have all cleared away, Tom," he said. "We can go in the +shop, now." + +Without further notice of Andy Foger, Tom Swift turned aside, and +followed the aeronaut into the enclosed yard. + + + +Chapter 2 - Ned Sees Mysterious Men + + + +"Who were those fellows?" asked the balloonist, of his companion. + +"Oh, some chaps who think we'll never build our airship, Mr. Sharp. +Andy Foger, and his crowd." + +"Well, we'll show them whether we will or not," rejoined the man. +"I've just thought of one point where we made a mistake. Your father +suggested it to me. We need a needle valve in the gas tank. Then we +can control the flow of vapor better." + +"Of course!" cried Tom. "Why didn't I think of that? Let's try it." +And the pair hurried into the machine shop, eager to make another +test, which they hoped would be more successful. + +The young inventor, for Tom Swift was entitled to that title, having +patented several machines, lived with his father, Barton Swift, on the +outskirts of the small town of Shopton, in New York State. Mr. Swift +was quite wealthy, having amassed a considerable fortune from several +of his patents, as he was also an inventor. Tom's mother had been dead +since he was a small child, and Mrs. Baggert kept house for the +widower and his son. There was also, in their household, an aged +engineer, named Garret Jackson, who attended to the engine and boilers +that operated machinery and apparatus in several small shops that +surrounded the Swift homestead; for Mr. Swift did most of his work at +home. + +As related in the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and +His Motor-Cycle," the lad had passed through some strenuous +adventures. A syndicate of rich men, disappointed in a turbine motor +they had acquired from a certain inventor, hired a gang of scoundrels +to get possession of a turbine Mr. Swift had invented. Just before +they made the attempt, however, Tom became possessed of a motor-cycle. +It had belonged to a wealthy man, Mr. Wakefield Damon, of Waterford, +near Lake Carlopa, which body of water adjoined the town of Shopton; +but Mr. Damon had two accidents with the machine, and sold it to Tom +cheap. Tom was riding his motorcycle to Albany, to deliver his +father's model of the turbine motor to a lawyer, in order to get a +patent on it, when he was attacked by the gang of bad men. These +included Ferguson Appleson, Anson Morse, Wilson Featherton, alias +Simpson, Jake Burke, alias Happy Harry, who sometimes masqueraded as a +tramp, and Tod Boreck, alias Murdock. These men knocked Tom +unconscious, stole the valuable model and some papers, and carried the +youth away in their automobile. + +Later the young inventor, following a clue given him by Eradicate +Sampson, an aged colored man, who, with his mule, Boomerang, went +about the country doing odd jobs, got on the trail of the thieves in a +deserted mansion in the woods at the upper end of the lake. Our hero, +with the aid of Mr. Damon, and some friends of the latter, raided the +old house, but the men escaped. + +In the second book of the series, called "Tom Swift and His Motor- +Boat," there was related the doings of the lad, his father and his +chum, Ned Newton, on Lake Carlopa. Tom bought at auction, a motor-boat +the thieves had stolen and damaged, and, fixing it up, made a speedy +craft of it so speedy, in fact that it beat the racing-boat Red +Streak-owned by Andy Foger. But Tom did more than race in his boat. He +took his father on a tour for his health, and, during Mr. Swift's +absence from home, the gang of bad men stole some of the inventor's +machinery. Tom set out after them in his motor boat, but the +scoundrels even managed to steal that, hoping to get possession of a +peculiar and mysterious treasure in it, and Tom had considerable +trouble. + +Among other things he did when he had his craft, was to aid a Miss +Mary Nestor, who, in her cousin's small boat, the Dot, was having +trouble with the engine, and you shall hear more of Miss Nestor +presently, for she and Tom became quite friendly. Events so shaped +themselves that Andy Foger was glad to loan Tom the Red Streak in +which to search for the stolen Arrow, and it was in the later craft +that Tom, his father and Ned Newton had a most thrilling adventure. + +They were on their way down the lake when, in the air overhead they +saw a balloon on fire, with a man clinging to the trapeze. They +managed to save the fellow's life, after a strenuous endeavor. The +balloonist, John Sharp, was destined to play quite a part in Tom's +life. + +Mr. Sharp was more than an aeronaut-he was the inventor of an airship- +that is, he had plans drawn for the more important parts, but he had +struck a "snag of clouds," as he expressed it, and could not make the +machine work. His falling in with Mr. Swift and his son seemed +providential, for Tom and his father were at once interested in the +project for navigating the upper air. They began a study of Mr. +Sharp's plans, and the balloonist was now in a fair way to have the +difficulty solved. + +His airship was, primarily an aeroplane, but with a sustaining +aluminum container, shaped like a cigar, and filled with a secret gas, +made partly of hydrogen, being very light and powerful. It was testing +the effect of this gas on a small model of the aluminum container that +the explosion, told of in the first chapter, occurred. In fact it was +only one of several explosions, but, as Tom said, all the while they +were eliminating certain difficulties, until now the airship seemed +almost a finished thing. But a few more details remained to be worked +out, and Mr. Swift and his son felt that they could master these. + +So it was with a feeling of no little elation, that the young inventor +followed Mr. Sharp into the shop. The balloonist, it may be explained, +had been invited to live with the Swifts pending the completion of the +airship. + +"Do you think we'll get on the right track if we put the needle valve +in?" asked Tom, as he noted with satisfaction that the damage from the +explosion was not great. + +"I'm sure we will," answered the aeronaut. "Now let's make another +model container, and try the gas again." + +They set to work, with Mr. Swift helping them occasionally, and Garret +Jackson, the engineer, lending a hand whenever he was needed. All that +afternoon work on the airship progressed. The joint inventors of it +wanted to be sure that the sustaining gas bag, or aluminum container, +would do its work properly, as this would hold them in the air, and +prevent accidents, in case of a stoppage of the engine or propellers. + +The aeroplane part of the airship was all but finished, and the motor, +a powerful machine, of new design, built by Mr. Swift, was ready to be +installed. + +All that afternoon Tom, his father and Mr. Sharp labored in the shop. +As it grew dusk there sounded from the house the ringing of a bell. + +"Supper time," remarked Tom, laying aside a wrench. "I wish Mrs. +Baggert would wait about an hour. I'd have this valve nearly done, +then." + +But the housekeeper was evidently not going to wait, for her voice +supplemented the bell. + +"Supper! Sup-per!" she called. "Come now, Mr. Swift; Tom, Mr. Sharp! I +can't wait any longer! The meat and potatoes will be spoiled!" + +"I s'pose we'd better go in," remarked Mr. Sharp, with something of a +sigh. "We can finish to-morrow." + +The shop, where certain parts of the airship were being made, was +doubly locked, and Jackson, the engineer, who was also a sort of +watchman, was bidden to keep good guard, for the fear of the gang of +unscrupulous men, who had escaped from jail during a great storm, was +still in the minds of Mr. Swift and his son. + +"And give an occasional look in the shed, where the aeroplane is," +advised Mr. Sharp. "It wouldn't take much to damage that, now." + +"I'll pay particular attention to it," promised the engineer. "Don't +worry, Mr. Sharp." + +After supper the three gathered around the table on which were spread +out sheets of paper, covered with intricate figures and calculations, +which Mr. Swift and the balloonist went over with care. Tom was +examining some blue prints, which gave a sectional view of the +proposed ship, and was making some measurements when the bell rang, +and Mrs. Baggert ushered in Ned Newton, the most particular chum of +the young inventor. + +"Hello, Ned!" exclaimed Tom. "I was wondering what had become of you. +Haven't seen you in a dog's age." + +"That's right," admitted Ned. "We've been working late nights at the +bank. Getting ready for the regular visit of the examiner, who usually +comes along about this time. Well, how are things going; and how is +the airship?" for, of course, Ned had heard of that. + +"Oh, pretty good. Had another explosion today, I s'pose you heard." + +"No, I hadn't." + +"I thought everyone in town had, for Andy Foger and his two cronies +were on hand, and they usually tell all they know." + +"Oh, Andy Foger! He makes me sick! He was scooting up the street in +his auto just as I was coming in, `honking-honking' his horn to beat +the band! You'd think no one ever had an auto but him. He certainly +was going fast." + +"Wait until I get in our airship," predicted Tom. "Then I'll show you +what speed is!" + +"Do you really think it will go fast?" + +"Of course it will! Fast enough to catch Anson Morse and his crowd of +scoundrels if we could get on their track." + +"Why, I thought they were in jail," replied Ned, in some surprise. +"Weren't they arrested after they stole your boat?" + +"Yes, and put in jail, but they managed to get out, and now they're +free to make trouble for us again." + +"Are you sure they're out of jail?" asked Ned, and Tom noted that his +chum's face wore an odd look. + +"Sure? Of course I am. But why do you ask?" + +Ned did not answer for a moment. He glanced at Tom's father, and the +young inventor understood. Mr. Swift was getting rather along in age, +and his long years of brain work had made him nervous. He had a great +fear of Morse and his gang, for they had made much trouble for him in +the past. Tom appreciated his chum's hesitancy, and guessed that Ned +had something to say that he did not want Mr. Swift to hear. + +"Come on up to my room, Ned. I've got something I want to show you," +exclaimed Tom, after a pause. + +The two lads left the room, Tom glancing apprehensively at his father. +But Mr. Swift was so engrossed, together with the aeronaut, in making +some calculations regarding wind pressure, that it is doubtful if +either of the men were aware that the boys had gone. + +"Now what is it, Ned?" demanded our hero, when they were safe in his +apartment. "Something's up. I can tell by your manner. What is it?" + +"Maybe it's nothing at all," went on his chum. "If I had known, though +that those men had gotten out of jail, I would have paid more +attention to what I saw to-night, as I was leaving the bank to come +here." + +"What did you see?" demanded Tom, and his manner, which had been calm, +became somewhat excited. + +"Well, you know I've been helping the payingteller straighten up his +books," went on the young bank employee, "and when I came out tonight, +after working for several hours, I was glad enough to hurry away from +the `slave-den,' as I call it. I almost ran up the street, not looking +where I was going, when, just as I turned the corner, I bumped into a +man." + +"Nothing suspicious or wonderful in that," commented Tom. "I've often +run into people." + +"Wait," advised Ned. "To save myself from falling I grabbed the man's +arm. He did the same to me, and there we stood, for a moment, right +under a gas lamp. I looked down at his hands, and I saw that on the +little finger of the left one there was tattooed a blue ring, and-" + +"Happy Harry-the tramp!" exclaimed Tom, now much excited. "That's +where he wears a tattooed ring!" + +"That's what I thought you had told me," resumed Ned, "but I didn't +pay any attention to it at the time, as I had no idea that the men +were out of jail." + +"Well, what else happened?" inquired Tom + +"Not much more. I apologized to the man, and he to me, and we let go +of each other." + +"Are you sure about the ring on his finger?" + +"Positive. His hand was right in the light. But wait, that isn't all. +I hurried on, not thinking much about it, when, I saw another man step +out of the dark shadows of Peterby's grocery, just beyond the bank. +The man must have mistaken me for some one else, for he spoke to me." + +"What did he say?" + +"He asked me a question. It was: `Is there any chance to-night?' " + +"What did you tell him?" + +"Well, I was so surprised that I didn't know what to say, and, before +I could get my wits together the man had seen his mistake and hurried +on. He joined the man I had collided with, and the two skipped off in +the darkness. But not before a third man had come across the street, +from in front of the bank, and hurried off with them." + +"Well?" asked Tom, as his chum paused. + +"I don't know what to think," resumed Ned. "These men were certainly +acting suspiciously, and, now that you tell me the Anson Morse gang is +not locked up-well, it makes me feel that these must be some of their +crowd." + +"Of course they are!" declared Tom positively. "That blue ring proves +it!" + +"I wouldn't go so far as to say that," declared Ned. "The man +certainly had a blue ring tattooed on his finger-the same finger where +you say Happy Harry had his. But what would the men be doing in this +neighborhood? They certainly have had a lesson not to meddle with any +of your things." + +"No, I don't believe they are after any of dad's inventions this time. +But I tell you what I do believe." + +"What?" + +"Those men are planning to rob the Shopton Bank, Ned! And I advise you +to notify the officers. That Morse gang is one of the worst in the +country," and Tom, much excited, began to pace the room, while Ned, +who had not dreamed of such an outcome to his narrative, looked +startled. + + + +Chapter 3 - Whitewashed + + + +"Let's tell your father, Tom," suggested Ned, after a pause. "He'll +know what to do." + +"No, I'd rather not," answered the young inventor quickly. "Dad has +had trouble enough with these fellows, and I don't want him to worry +any more. Besides, he is working on a new invention, and if I tell him +about the Happy Harry gang it will take his attention from it." + +"What invention is he planning now?" + +"I don't know, but it's something important by the way he keeps at it. +He hardly spares time to help Mr. Sharp and me on the airship. No, +we'll keep this news from dad." + +"Then I'll inform the bank officials, as you suggest. If the place was +robbed they might blame me; if they found out I had seen the men a +failed to tell them." + +"Well, that gang would only be too glad to have the blame fall on some +one else." + +Tom little knew how near the truth he had come in his chance +expression, or how soon he himself was to fall under suspicion in +connection with this same band of bad men. + +"I'll telephone to the president on my way home," decided Ned, "and he +can notify the watchman at the bank. But do you really expect to have +your airship in shape to fly soon?" + +"Oh, yes. Now that we have found out our mistake about the gas, the +rest will be easy." + +"I think I'd like to take a trip in one myself, if it didn't go too +high," ventured Ned. + +"I'll remember that, when we have ours completed," promised his chum, +"and I'll take you for a spin." + +The boys talked for perhaps an hour longer, mostly about the airship, +for it was the latest mechanical affair in which Tom was interested, +and, naturally, foremost in his thoughts. Then Ned went home first, +however, telephoning from Tom's house to the bank president about +having seen the suspicious men. That official thanked his young +employee, and said he would take all necessary precautions. The +telephone message was not sent until Mr. Swift was out of hearing, as +Tom was determined that his father should have no unnecessary worry +about the unscrupulous men. As it was, the news that the gang was out +of jail had caused the aged inventor some alarm. + +It was not without some anxiety that Tom arose the next morning, +fearing he would hear news that the bank had been broken into, but no +such alarming report circulated in Shopton. In fact having made some +inquiries that day of Ned, he learned that no trace had been seen of +the mysterious men. The police had been on the lookout, but they had +seen nothing of them. + +"Maybe, after all, they weren't the same ones," suggested Ned, when he +paid Tom another visit the next night. + +"Well, of course it's possible that they weren't," admitted the young +inventor. "I'd be very glad to think so. Even if they were, your +encounter with them may have scared them off; and that would be a good +thing." + +The next two weeks were busy ones for Tom and Mr. Sharp. Aided +occasionally by Mr. Swift, and with Garret Jackson, the engineer, to +lend a hand whenever needed, the aeronaut and the owner of the speedy +Arrow made considerable progress on their airship. + +"What is your father so busy over?" asked Mr. Sharp one day, when the +new aluminum gas holder was about completed. + +"I don't know," answered Tom, with a somewhat puzzled air. "He doesn't +seem to want to talk about it, even to me. He says it will +revolutionize travel along a certain line, but whether he is working +on an airship that will rival ours, or a new automobile, I can't make +out. He'll tell us in good time. But when do you think we will finish +the-well, I don't know what to call it-I mean our aeroplane?" + +"Oh, in about a month now. That's so, though, we haven't a name for +it. But we'll christen it after it's completed. Now if you'll tighten +up some of those bolts I'll get the gas generating apparatus in +readiness for another test." + +A short description of the new airship may not be out of place now. It +was built after plans Mr. Sharp had shown to Tom and his father soon +after the thrilling rescue of the aeronaut from the blazing balloon +over Lake Carlopa. The general idea of the airship was that of the +familiar aeroplane, but in addition to the sustaining surfaces of the +planes, there was an aluminum, cigar-shaped tank, holding a new and +very powerful gas, which would serve to keep the ship afloat even when +not in motion. + +Two sets of planes, one above the other, were used, bringing the +airship into the biplane class. There were also two large propellers, +one in front and the other at the rear. These were carefully made, of +different layers of wood "built up" as they are called, to make them +stronger. They were eight feet in diameter, and driven by a twenty- +cylinder, air-cooled, motor, whirled around at the rate of fifteen +hundred revolutions a minute. When operated at full speed the airship +was capable of making eighty miies an hour, against a moderate wind. + +But if the use of the peculiarly-shaped planes and the gas container, +with the secret but powerful vapor in it were something new in airship +construction, so was the car in which the operator and travelers were +to live during a voyage. It was a complete living room, with the +engine and other apparatus, including that for generating the gas, in +a separate compartment, and the whole was the combined work of Tom and +Mr. Sharp. There were accommodations for five persons, with sleeping +berths, a small galley or kitchen, where food could be prepared, and +several easy chairs where the travelers could rest in comfort while +skimming along high in the air, as fast as the fastest railroad train. + +There was room enough to carry stores for a voyage of a week or more, +and enough gas could be manufactured aboard the ship, in addition to +that taken in the aluminum case before starting, to sustain the ship +for two weeks. The engine, steering apparatus, and the gas machine +were within easy reach and control of the pilot, who was to be +stationed in a small room in the "bow" of the ship. An electric stove +served to warm the interior of the car, and also provided means for +cooking the food. + +The airship could be launched either by starting it along the ground, +on rubber-tired wheels, as is done in the case of the ordinary +aeroplane, or it could be lifted by the gas, just as is done with a +balloon. In short there were many novel features about the ship. + +The gas test, which took place a few days later, showed that the young +inventor and Mr. Sharp had made no mistake this time. No explosion +followed, the needle valve controlling the powerful vapor perfectly. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Sharp, one afternoon, "I think we shall put the +ship together next week, Tom, and have a trial flight. We shall need a +few more aluminum bolts, though, and if you don't mind you might jump +on your motor-cycle and run to Mansburg for them. Merton's machine +shop ought to have some." + +Mansburg was the nearest large city to Shopton, and Merton was a +machinist who frequently did work for Mr. Swift. + +"All right," agreed Tom. "I'll start now. How many will you need?" + +"Oh, a couple of dozen." + +Tom started off, wheeling his cycle from the shed where it was kept. +As he passed the building where the big frame of the airship, with the +planes and aluminum bag had been assembled, he looked in. + +"We'll soon be flying through the clouds on your back," he remarked, +speaking to the apparatus as if it could understand. "I guess we'll +smash some records, too, if that engine works as well when it's +installed as it does now." + +Tom had purchased the bolts, and was on his way back with them, when, +as he passed through one of the outlying streets of Mansburg, +something went wrong with his motor-cycle. He got off to adjust it, +finding that it was only a trifling matter, which he soon put right, +when he was aware of a man standing, observing him. Without looking up +at the man's face, the young inventor was unpleasantly aware of a +sharp scrutiny. He could hardly explain it, but it seemed as if the +man had evil intentions toward him, and it was not altogether +unexpected on Tom's part, when, looking up, he saw staring at him, +Anson Morse, the leader of the gang of men who had caused such trouble +for him. + +"Oh, it's you; is it?" asked Morse, an ugly scowl on his face. "I +thought I recognized you." He moved nearer to Tom, who straightened +up, and stood leaning on his wheel. + +"Yes; it's me," admitted the lad. + +"I've been looking for you," went on Morse. "I'm not done with you +yet, nor your father, either." + +"Aren't you?" asked Tom, trying to speak coolly, though his heart was +beating rather faster than usual. Morse had spoken in a threatening +manner, and, as the youth looked up and down the street he saw that it +was deserted; nor were there any houses near. + +"No, I'm not," snapped the man. "You got me and my friends in a lot of +trouble, and-" + +"You didn't get half what you deserved!" burst out Tom, indignant at +the thought of what he and his father had suffered at the hands of the +gang. "You ought to be in jail now, instead of out; and if I could see +a policeman, I'd have you arrested for threatening me! That's against +the law!" + +"Huh! I s'pose you think you know lots about the law," sneered Morse. +"Well, I tell you one thing, if you make any further trouble for me, +I'll- " + +"I'll make all the trouble I can!" cried Tom, and he boldly faced the +angry man. "I'm not afraid of you!" + +"You'd better be!" and Morse spoke in a vindictive manner. "We'll get +even with you yet, Tom Swift. In fact I've a good notion now to give +you a good thrashing for what you've done." + +Before Tom was aware of the man's intention, Morse had stepped quickly +into the street, where the lad stood beside his wheel, and grasped him +by the shoulder. He gave Tom a vicious shake. + +"Take your hand off me!" cried Tom, who was hampered by having to hold +up his heavy machine. + +"I will when I've given you what I owe you!" retorted the scoundrel. +"I'm going to have satisfaction now if I never-" + +At that instant there came from down the street the sound of a +rattling and bumping. Tom looked up quickly, and saw approaching a +rattletrap of a wagon. drawn by a big, loose-jointed mule, the large +ears of which were flapping to and fro. The animal was advancing +rapidly, in response to blows and words from the colored driver, and, +before the uplifted fist of Morse could fall on Tom's head, the outfit +was opposite them. + +"Hold on dar, mistah! Hold on!" cried the colored man in the wagon. +"What are yo' doin' to mah friend, Mistah Swift?" + +"None of your business!" snapped Morse. "You drive on and let me +manage this affair if you don't want trouble! Who are you anyhow?" + +"Why doan't yo' know me?" asked the colored man, at whom Tom looked +gratefully. "I's Eradicate Sampson, an' dish yeah am mah mule, +Boomerang. Whoa, Boomerang! I reckon yo' an' I better take a hand in +dish yeah argument." + +"Not unless you want trouble!" cried Morse. + +"I doan't mind trouble, not in de leastest," answered Eradicate +cheerfully. "Me an' Boomerang has had lots of trouble. We's used to +it. No, Mistah Man, you'd better let go ob mah friend, Mistah Swift, +if yo' doan't want trouble yo' ownse'f." + +"Drive on, and mind your business!" cried Morse, now unreasoningly +angry. "This is my affair," and he gave Tom a shake. + +Our hero was not going to submit tamely, however. He had one hand +free, and raised to strike Morse, but the latter, letting go his hold +on the lad's shoulder, grasped with that hand, the fist which the +young inventor had raised. Then, with his other hand, the scoundrel +was about to hit Tom. + +"Break away four him, Mistah Swift!" directed the colored man. "Yo' +can fight him, den!" + +"I guess he'll have his own troubles doing that," sneered Morse. + +"Not ef I help him," answered Eradicate promptly, as he climbed back +off the seat, into the body of his ramshackle vehicle. + +"Don't you interfere with me!" stormed the man. + +An instant later Tom broke away from his tormentor, and laid his +motor-cycle on the ground, in order to have both hands free for the +attack he felt would follow. + +"Ha! You think you're going to escape, do you?" cried Morse, as he +started toward Tom, his eyes blazing. "I'll show you who you're +dealing with!" + +"Yes, an' I reckon I'll show yo' suffin yo' ain't lookin' fer!" +suddenly cried Eradicate. + +With a quick motion he picked up a pail of white-wash from his wagon, +and, with sure aim, emptied the contents of the bucket over Morse, who +was rushing at Tom. The white fluid spread over the man from head to +foot, enveloping him as in a white shroud, and his advance was +instantly checked. + +"Dar! I reckon dat's de quickest white-washin' job I done in some +time!" chuckled Eradicate, as he grasped his long handled brush, and +clambered down from the wagon, ready for a renewal of the hostilities +on the part of Morse. "De bestest white-washin' job I done in some +time; yais, sah!" + + + +Chapter 4 - A Trial Trip + + + +There was no fear that Anson Morse would return to the attack. Blinded +by the whitewash which ran in his eyes, but which, being slaked, did +not burn him, he grouped blindly about, pawing the air with his +outstretched hands. + +"You wait! You wait! You'll suffer for this!" he spluttered, as soon +as he could free his mouth from the trickling fluid. Then, wiping it +from his face, with his hands, as best he could, he shook his fist at +Tom. "I'll pay you and that black rascal back!" he cried. "You wait!" + +"I hopes yo' pays me soon," answered Eradicate, "'case as how dat +whitewash was wuff twenty-five cents, an' I got t' go git mo' to +finish doin' a chicken coop I'm wurkin' on. Whoa, oar Boomerang. Dere +ain't goin' t' be no mo' trouble I reckon." + +Morse did not reply. He had been most unexpectedly repulsed, and, with +the white-wash dripping from his garments, he turned and fairly ran +toward a strip of woodland that bordered the highway at that place. + +Tom approached the colored man, and held out a welcoming hand. + +"I don't know what I'd done if you hadn't come along, Rad," the lad +said. "That fellow was desperate, and this was a lonely spot to be +attacked. Your whitewash came in mighty handy." + +"Yais, sah, Mistah Swift, dat's what it done. I knowed I could use it +on him, ef he got too obstreperous, an' dat's what he done. But I were +goin' to fight him wif mah bresh, ef he'd made any more trouble." + +"Oh, I fancy we have seen the last of him for some time," said Tom, +but he looked worried. It was evident that the Happy Harry gang was +still hanging around the neighborhood of Shopton, and the fact that +Morse was bold enough to attack our hero in broad day-light argued +that he felt little fear of the authorities. + +"Ef yo' wants t' catch him, Mistah Swift," went on Eradicate, "yo' kin +trace him by de whitewash what drops offen him," and he pointed to a +trail of white drops which showed the path Morse had taken. + +"No, the less I have to do with him the better I like it," answered +the lad. "But I can't thank you enough, Rad. You have helped me out of +difficulties several times now. You put me on the trail of the men in +the deserted mansion, you warned me of the log Andy Foger placed +across the road, and now you have saved me from Morse." + +"Oh, dat's nuffin, Mistah Swift. Yo' has suah done lots fo' me. +'Sides, mah mule, Boomerang, am entitled t' de most credit dish yeah +time. I were comin' down de street, on mah way t' a whitewashin' job, +when I seen yo', an yo' lickitysplit machine," for so Eradicate +designated a motorcycle. "I knowed it were yo', an' I didn't laik de +looks ob dat man. Den I see he had hold ob you, an' I t'ought he were +a burglar. So I yelled t' Boomerang t' hurry up. Now, mostly, when I +wants Boomerang t' hurry, he goes slow, an' when I wants him t' go +slow, he runs away. But dish yeah time he knowed he were comin' t' +help yo', an' he certainly did leg it, dat's what he done! He run laik +he were goin' home t' a stable full ob oats, an' dat's how I got heah +so quick. Den I t'ought ob de whitewash, an' I jest. used it." + +"It was the most effective weapon you could have used," said Tom, +gratefully. + +"Deed no, Mistah Swift, I didn't hab no weapon," spoke Eradicate +earnestly. "I ain't eben got mah razor, 'case I left it home. I didn't +hab no weapon at all. I jest used de whitewash, laik yo' seen me." + +"That's what I meant," answered Tom, trying not to laugh at the simple +negro's misunderstanding. "I'm ever so much obliged to you, just the +same, and here's a half dollar to pay for the whitewash." + +"Oh, no, Mistah Swift, I doan't want t' take it. I kin make mo' +whitewash." + +But Tom insisted, and picked up his machine to sprint for home. +Eradicate started to tell over again, how he urged Boomerang on, but +the lad had no time to listen. + +"But I didn't hab no weapon, Mistah Swift, no indeedy, none at all, +not even mah razor," repeated Eradicate. "Only de pail ob whitewash. +That is, lessen yo' calls mah bresh a weapon." + +"Well, it's a sort of one," admitted Tom, with a laugh as he started +his machine. "Come around next week, Rad. We have some dirt +eradicating for you to attend to." + +"Deed an' I will, Mistah Swift. Eradicate is mah name, an' I +eradicates de dirt. But dat man such did look odd, wif dat pail ob +whitewash all ober him. He suah did look most extraordinarily. Gidap, +Boomerang. See if yo' can break some mo' speed records now." + +But the mule appeared to be satisfied with what he had done, and, as +he rode off, Tom looked back to see the colored man laboring to get +the sleepy, animal started. + +The lad did not tell his father of the adventure with Morse, but he +related the occurrence to Mr. Sharp. + +"I'd like to get hold of that scoundrel, and the others in the gang!" +exclaimed the balloonist. "I'd take him up in the airship, and drop +him down into the lake. He's a bad man. So are the others. Wonder what +they -want around here?" + +"That's what's puzzling me," admitted Tom. "I hope dad doesn't hear +about them or he will be sure to worry; and maybe it will interfere +with his new ideas." + +"He hasn't told you yet what he's engaged in inventing; has he?" + +"No, and I don't like to ask him. He said the other day, though, that +it would rival our airship, but in a different way." + +"I wonder what be meant?" + +"It's hard to say. But I don't believe he can invent anything that +will go ahead of our craft, even if he is my own father, and the best +one in the world," said Tom, half jokingly. "Well, I got the bolts, +now let's get to work. I'm anxious for a trial trip." + +"No more than I am. I want to see if my ideas will work out in +practice as well as they do in theory." + +For a week or more Tom and Mr. Sharp labored on the airship, with Mr. +Jackson to help them. The motor, with its twenty cylinders, was +installed, and the big aluminum holder fastened to the frame of the +planes. The rudders, one to control the elevation and depression of +the craft, and the other to direct its flight to the right or left, +were attached, and the steering wheel, as well as the levers +regulating the motor were put in place. + +"About all that remains to be done now," said the aeronaut one night, +as he and Tom stood in the big shed, looking at their creation, "is to +fit up the car, and paint the machine." + +"Can't we make a trial trip before we fit up the car ready for a long +flight?" asked the young inventor. + +"Yes, but I wouldn't like to go out without painting the ship. Some +parts of it might rust if we get into the moist, cloudy, upper +regions." + +"Then let's paint it to-morrow, and, as soon as it's dry we'll have a +test." + +"All right. I'll mix the paint the first thing in the morning." + +It took two days to paint the machine, for much care had to be used, +and, when it was finished Tom looked admiringly up at it. + +"We ought to name it," suggested Mr. Sharp, as he removed a bit of +paint from the end of the nose. + +"To be sure," agreed Tom. "And hold on, I have the very name for it- +Red Cloud!" + +"Red Cloud?" questioned Mr. Sharp. + +"Yes!" exclaimed Tom, with enthusiasm. "It's painted red-at least the +big, aluminum gas container is-and we hope to go above the clouds in +it. Why not Red Cloud?" + +"That's what it shall be!" conceded the balloonist. "If I had a bottle +of malted milk, or something like that, I'd christen it." + +"We ought to have a young lady to do that part," suggested Tom. "They +always have young ladies to name ships." + +"Were you thinking of any particular young lady?" asked Mr. Sharp +softly, and Tom blushed; as he replied + +"Oh no-of course that is-well--Oh, hang it, christen it yourself, and +let me alone," he finished. + +"Well, in the absence of Miss Mary Nestor, who, I think, would be the +best one for the ceremony," said Mr. Sharp, with a twinkle in his +eyes, "I christen thee Red Cloud," and with that he sprinkled some +water on the pointed nose of the red aluminum gas bag, for the +aeronaut and Tom were on a high staging, on a level with the upper +part of the airship. + +"Red Cloud it is!" cried Tom, enthusiastically. "Now, to-morrow we'll +see what it can do." + +The day of the test proved all that could be desired in the way of +weather. The fact that an airship was being constructed in the Swift +shops had been kept as secret as possible, but of course many in +Shopton knew of it, for Andy Foger had spread the tidings. + +"I hope we won't have a crowd around to see us go up," said Tom, as he +and Mr. Sharp went to the shed to get the Red Cloud in readiness for +the trial. "I shouldn't want to have them laugh at us, if we fail to +rise." + +"Don't worry. We'll go up all right," declared Mr. Sharp. "The only +thing I'm at all worried about is our speed. I want to go fast, but we +may not be able to until our motor gets 'tuned-up'. But we'll rise." + +The gas machine had already been started, and the vapor was hissing +inside the big aluminum holder. It was decided to try to go up under +the lifting power of the gas, and not use the aeroplane feature for +sending aloft the ship, as there was hardly room, around the shops, +for a good start. + +When enough of the vapor had been generated to make the airship +buoyant, the big doors of the shed were opened, and Tom and Mr. Sharp, +with the aid of Garret and Mr. Swift, shoved it slowly out. + +"There it is! There she comes!" cried several vices outside the high +fence that surrounded the Swift property. "They're going up!" + +"Andy Foger is in that bunch," remarked Tom with a grim smile. "I hope +we don't fail." + +"We won't. Don't worry," advised Mr. Sharp. + +The shouts outside the fence increased. It was evident that quite a +crowd of boys, as well as men, had collected, though it was early in +the morning. Somehow, news of the test had leaked out. + +The ship continued to get lighter and lighter as more gas was +generated. It was held down by ropes, fastened to stakes driven in the +ground. Mr. Sharp entered the big car that was suspended, below the +aeroplanes. + +"Come on, Tom," the aeronaut called. "We're almost ready to fly. Will +you come too, Mr. Swift, and Garret?" + +"Some other time," promised the aged inventor. "It looks as though you +were going to succeed, though. I'll wait, however, until after the +test before I venture." + +"How about you, Garret?" asked Tom of the engineer, as the young +inventor climbed into the car. + +"The ground is good enough for me," was the answer, with a smile. +"Broken bones don't mend so easily when you're past sixty-five." + +"But we're not going to fall!" declared Mr. Sharp. "All ready, Tom. +Cast off! Here we go!" + +The restraining ropes were quickly cast aside. Slowly at first, and +then with a rush, as though feeling more and more sure of herself, the +Red Cloud arose in the air like a gigantic bird of scarlet plumage. Up +and up it went, higher than the house, higher than the big shed where +it had been built, higher, higher, higher! + +"There she is!" cried the shrill voices of the boys in the meadow, and +the hoarser tones of the men mingled with them. + +"Hurrah!" called Tom softly to the balloonist. "We're off!" and he +waved his hand to his father and Garret. + +"I told you so," spoke Mr. Sharp confidently. "I'm going to start the +propellers in a minute." + +"Oh, dear me, goodness sakes alive!" cried Mrs. Baggert, the +housekeeper, running from the house and wringing her hands. "I'm sure +they'll fall!" + +She looked up apprehensively, but Tom only waved his hand to her, and +threw her a kiss. Clearly he had no fears, though it was the first +time he had ever been in an airship. Mr. Sharp was as calm and +collected as an ocean captain making his hundredth trip across the +Atlantic. + +"Throw on the main switch," he called to our hero, and Tom, moving to +amidships in the car, did as directed. Mr. Sharp pulled several +levers, adjusted some valves, and then, with a rattle and bang, the +huge, twenty-cylinder motor started. + +Waiting a moment to see that it was running smoothly, Mr. Sharp +grasped the steering wheel. Then, with a quick motion he threw the two +propellers in gear. They began to whirl around rapidly. + +"Here we go!" cried Tom, and, sure enough, the Red Cloud, now five +hundred feet in the air, shot forward, like a boat on the water, only +with such a smooth, gliding, easy motion, that it seemed like being +borne along on a cloud. + +"She works! She works!" cried the balloonist. "Now to try our +elevation rudder," and, as the Red Cloud gathered speed, he tilted the +small planes which sent the craft up or down, according to the manner +in which they were tilted. The next instant the airship was pointed at +an angle toward the clouds, and shooting along at swift speed, while, +from below came the admiring cheers of the crowd of boys and men. + + + +Chapter 5 - Colliding With A Tower + + + +"She seems to work," observed Tom, looking from where he was stationed +near some electrical switches, toward Mr. Sharp. + +"Of course she does," replied the aeronaut. "I knew it would, but I +wasn't so sure that it would scoot along in this fashion. We're making +pretty good speed, but we'll do better when the motor gets to running +smoother." + +"How high up are we?" asked Tom. + +The balloonist glanced at several gauges near the steering wheel. + +"A little short of three thousand feet," he answered. "Do you want to +go higher?" + +"No-no-I-I guess not," was Tom's answer. He halted over the works, and +his breath came in gasps. + +"Don't get alarmed," called Mr. Sharp quickly, noting that his +companion was in distress because of the high altitude. "That always +happens to persons who go into a thin air for the first time; just as +if you had climbed a high mountain. Breathe as slowly as you can, and +swallow frequently. That will relieve the pressure on your ear drums. +I'll send the ship lower." + +Tom did as he was advised, and the aeronaut, deflecting the rudder, +sent the Red Cloud on a downward slant. Tom at once felt relieved, +both because the action of swallowing equalized the pressure on the +ear drums, and because the airship was soon in a more dense +atmosphere, more like that of the earth. + +"How are you now?" asked the man of the lad, as the craft was again on +an even keel. + +"All right," replied Tom, briskly. "I didn't know what ailed me at +first." + +"I was troubled the same way when I first went up in a balloon," +commented Mr. Sharp. "We'll run along for a few miles, at an elevation +of about five hundred feet, and then we'll go to within a hundred feet +of the earth, and see how the Red Cloud behaves under different +conditions. Take a look below and see what you think of it." + +Tom looked low, through one of several plate glass windows in the +floor of the car. He gave a gasp of astonishment. + +"Why! We're right over Lake Carlopa!" he gasped. + +"Of course," admitted Mr. Sharp with a laugh. "And I'm glad to say +that we're better off than when I was last in the air over this same +body of water," and he could scarcely repress a shudder as he thought +of his perilous position in the blazing balloon, as related in detail +in "Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat." + +The lake was spread out below the navigators of the air like some +mirror of silver in a setting of green fields. Tom could see a winding +river, that flowed into the lake, and he noted towns, villages, and +even distant cities, interspersed here and there with broad farms or +patches of woodlands, like a bird's-eye view of a stretch of country. + +"This is great!" he exclaimed, with enthusiasm. "I wouldn't miss this +for the world!" + +"Oh, you haven't begun to see things yet," replied Mr. Sharp. "Wait +until we take a long trip, which we'll do soon, as this ship is +behaving much better than I dared to hope. Well, we're five hundred +feet high now, and I'll run along at that elevation for a while." + +Objects on the earth became more distinct now, and Tom could observe +excited throngs running along and pointing upward. They were several +miles from Shopton, and the machinery was running smoothly; the motor, +with its many cylinders purring like a big cat. + +"We could have lunch, if we'd brought along anything to eat," observed +Tom. + +"Yes," assented his companion. "But I think we'll go back now. Your +father may be anxious. Just come here, Tom, and I'll show you how to +steer. I'm going down a short distance." + +He depressed the rudder, and the Red Cloud shot earthward. Then, as +the airship was turned about, the young inventor was allowed to try +his hand at managing it. He said, afterward, that it was like guiding +a fleecy cloud. + +"Point her straight for Shopton,". counseled Mr. Sharp, when he had +explained the various wheels and levers to the lad. + +"Straight she is," answered the lad, imitating a sailor's reply. "Oh, +but this is great! It beats even my motor-boat!" + +"It goes considerably faster, at all events," remarked Mr. Sharp. +"Keep her steady now, while I take a look at the engine. I want to be +sure it doesn't run hot." + +He went aft, where all the machinery in the car was located, and Tom +was left alone in the small pilot house. He felt a thrill as he looked +down at the earth beneath him, and saw the crowds of wonder-gazers +pointing at the great, red airship flying high over their heads. +Rapidly the open fields slipped along, giving place to a large city. + +"Rocksmond," murmured Tom, as he noted it. "We're about fifty miles +from home, but we'll soon be back in the shed at this rate. We +certainly are slipping along. A hundred and fifty feet elevation," he +went on, as he looked at a gauge. I wonder if I'll ever get used to +going several miles up in the air?" + +He shifted the rudder a bit, to go to the left. The Red Cloud obeyed +promptly, but, the next instant something snapped. Tom, with a +startled air, looked around. He could see nothing wrong, but a moment +later, the airship dipped suddenly toward the earth. Then it seemed to +increase its forward speed, and, a few seconds later, was rushing +straight at a tall, ornamental tower that rose from one corner of a +large building. + +"Mr. Sharp! Mr. Sharp!" cried the lad. "Something has happened! We're +heading for that tower!" + +"Steer to one side!" called the balloonist. + +Tom tried, but found that the helm had become jammed. The horizontal +rudder would not work, and the craft was rushing nearer and nearer, +every minute, to the pile of brick and mortar. + +"We're going to have a collision!" shouted Tom. "Better shut off the +power!" + +The two propellers were whirling around so swiftly that they looked +like blurs of light. Mr. Sharp came rushing forward, and Tom +relinquished the steering wheel to him. In vain did the aeronaut try +to change the course of the airship. Then, with a shout to Tom to +disconnect the electric switch, the man turned off the power from the +motor. + +But it was too late. Straight at the tower rushed the Red Cloud, and, +a moment later had hit it a glancing blow, smashing the forward +propeller, and breaking off both blades. The nose of the aluminum gas +container knocked off a few bricks from the tower, and then, the ship +losing way, slowly settled to the flat roof of the building. + +"We're smashed!" cried Tom, with something like despair in his voice. + +"That's nothing! Don't worry! It might be worse! Not the first time +I've had an accident. It's only one propeller, and I can easily make +another," said Mr. Sharp, in his quick, jerky sentences. He had +allowed some of the gas to escape from the container, making the ship +less buoyant, so that it remained on the roof. + +The aeronaut and Tom looked from the windows of the car, to note if +any further damage had been done. They were just congratulating +themselves that the rudder marked the extent, when, from a scuttle in +the roof there came a procession of young ladies, led by an elderly +matron, wearing spectacles and having a very determined, bristling +air. + +"Well, I must say, this is a very unceremonious proceeding!" exclaimed +the spectacled woman. "Pray, gentlemen, to what are we indebted for +this honor?" + +"It was an accident, ma'am," replied Mr. Sharp, removing his hat, and +bowing. A mere accident!" + +"Humph! I suppose it was an accident that the tower of this building +was damaged, if not absolutely loosened at the foundations. You will +have to pay the damages!" Then turning, and seeing about two score of +young ladies behind her on the flat roof, each young lady eying with +astonishment, not unmixed with admiration, the airship, the elderly +one added: "Pupils! To your rooms at once! How dare you leave without +permission?" + +"Oh, Miss Perkman!" exclaimed a voice, at the sound of which Tom +started. "Mayn't we see the airship? It will be useful in our natural +philosophy study!" + +Tom looked at the young lady who had spoken. "Mary Nestor!" he +exclaimed. + +"Tom-I mean Mr. Swift!" she rejoined. "How in the world did you get +here?" + +"I was going to ask you the same question," retorted the lad. "We flew +here." + +"Young ladies! Silence!" cried Miss Perkman, who was evidently the +principal of the school. "The idea of any one of you daring to speak +to these-these persons-without my permission, and without an +introduction! I shall make them pay heavily for damaging my seminary," +she added, as she strode toward Mr. Sharp, who, by this time, was out +of the car. "To your rooms at once!" Miss Perkman ordered again, but +not a young lady moved. The airship was too much of an attraction for +them. + + + +Chapter 6 - Getting Off The Roof + + + +For a few minutes Mr. Sharp was so engrossed with looking underneath +the craft, to ascertain in what condition the various planes and +braces were, that he paid little attention to the old maid school +principal, after his first greeting. But Miss Perkman was not a person +to be ignored. + +"I want pay for the damage to the tower of my school," she went on. "I +could also demand damages for trespassing on my roof, but I will +refrain in this case. Young ladies, will you go to your rooms?" she +demanded. + +"Oh, please, let us stay," pleaded Mary Nestor, beside whom Tom now +stood. "Perhaps Professor Swift will lecture on clouds and air +currents and-and such things as that," the girl went on slyly, smiling +at the somewhat embarrassed lad. + +"Ahem! If there is a professor present, perhaps it might be a good +idea to absorb some knowledge," admitted the old maid, and, +unconsciously, she smoothed her hair, and settled her gold spectacles +straighter on her nose. "Professor, I will delay collecting damages on +behalf of the Rocksmond Young Ladies Seminary, while you deliver a +lecture on air currents," she went on, addressing herself to Mr. +Sharp. + +"Oh, I'm not a professor," he said quickly. "I'm a professional +balloonist, parachute jumper. Give exhibitions at county fairs. Leap +for life, and all that sort of thing. I guess you mean my friend. He's +smart enough for a professor. Invented a lot of things. How much is +the damage?" + +"No professor?" cried Miss Perkman indignantly. "Why I understood from +Miss Nestor that she called some one professor." + +"I was referring to my friend, Mr. Swift," said Mary. "His father's a +professor, anyhow, isn't he, Tom? I mean Mr. Swift!" + +"I believe he has a degree, but he never uses it," was the lad's +answer. + +"Ha! Then I have been deceived! There is no professor present!" and +the old maid drew herself up as though desirous of punishing some one. +"Young ladies, for the last time, I order you to your rooms," and, +with a dramatic gesture she pointed to the scuttle through which the +procession had come. + +"Say something, Tom--I mean Mr. Swift," appealed Mary Nestor, in a +whisper, to our hero. "Can't you give some sort of a lecture? The +girls are just crazy to hear about the airship, and this ogress won't +let us. Say something!" + +"I-I don't know what to say," stammered Tom. + +But he was saved the necessity for just then several women, evidently +other teachers, came out on the roof. + +"Oh, an airship!" exclaimed one. "How lovely! We thought it was an +earthquake, and we were afraid to come up for quite a while. But an +airship! I've always wanted to see one, and now I have an opportunity. +It will be just the thing for my physical geography and natural +history class. Young ladies, attention, and I will explain certain +things to you." + +"Miss Delafield, do you understand enough about an airship to lecture +on one?" asked Miss Perkman smartly. + +"Enough so that my class may benefit," answered the other teacher, who +was quite pretty. + +"Ahem! That is sufficient, and a different matter," conceded Miss +Perkman. "Young ladies, give your undivided attention to Miss +Delafield, and I trust you will profit by what she tells you. +Meanwhile I wish to have some conversation concerning damages with the +persons who so unceremoniously visited us. It is a shame that the +pupils of the Rocksmond Seminary should be disturbed at their studies. +Sir, I wish to talk with you," and the principal pointed a long, +straight finger at Mr. Sharp. + +"Young ladies, attention!" called Miss Delafield. "You will observe +the large red body at the top, that is-" + +"I'd rather have you explain it," whispered Mary Nestor to Tom. "Come +on, slip around to the other side. May I bring a few of my friends +with me? I can't bear Miss Delafield. She thinks she knows everything. +She won't see us if we slip around." + +"I shall be delighted," replied Tom, "only I fear I may have to help +Mr. Sharp out of this trouble." + +"Don't worry about me, Tom," said the balloonist, who overheard him. +"Let me do the explaining. I'm an old hand at it. Been in trouble +before. Many a time I've had to pay damages for coming down in a +farmer's corn field. I'll attend to the lady principal, and you can +explain things to the young ones," and, with a wink, the jolly +aeronaut stepped over to where Miss Perkman, in spite of her prejudice +against the airship, was observing it curiously. + +Glad to have the chance to talk to his young lady friend, Tom slipped +to the opposite side of the car with her and a few of her intimate +friends, to whom she slyly beckoned. There Tom told how the Red Cloud +came to be built, and of his first trip in the air, while, on the +opposite side, Miss Delafield lectured to the entire school on +aeronautics, as she thought she knew them. + +Mr. Sharp evidently did know how to "explain" matters to the irate +principal, for, in a short while, she was smiling. By this time Tom +had about finished his little lecture, and Miss Delafield was at the +end of hers. The entire school of girls was grouped about the Red +Cloud, curiously examining it, but Mary Nestor and her friends +probably learned more than any of the others. Tom was informed that +his friend had been attending the school in Rocksmond since the fall +term opened. + +"I little thought, when I found we were going to smash into that +tower, that you were below there, studying," said the lad to the girl. + +"I'm afraid I wasn't doing much studying," she confessed. "I had just +a glimpse of the airship through the window, and I was wondering who +was in it, when the crash came. Miss Perkman, who is nothing if not +brave, at once started for the roof, and we girls all followed her. +However, are you going to get the ship down?" + +"I'm afraid it is going to be quite a job," admitted Tom ruefully. +"Something went wrong with the machinery, or this never would have +happened. As soon as Mr. Sharp has settled with your principal we'll +see what we can do." + +"I guess he's settled now," observed Miss Nestor. "Here he comes." + +The aeronaut and Miss Perkman were approaching together, and the old +maid did not seem half so angry as she had been. + +"You see," Mr. Sharp was saying, "it will be a good advertisement for +your school. Think of having the distinction of having harbored the +powerful airship, Red Cloud, on your roof." + +"I never thought of it in that light," admitted the principal. +"Perhaps you are right. I shall put it in my next catalog." + +"And, as for damages to the tower, we will pay you fifty dollars," +continued the balloonist. "Do you agree to that, Mr. Swift?" he asked +Tom. "I think your father, the professor, would call that fair." + +"Oh, as long as this airship is partly the property of a professor, +perhaps I should only take thirty-five dollars," put in Miss Perkman. +"I am a great admirer of professors-I mean in a strictly educational +sense," she went on, as she detected a tendency on the part of some of +the young ladies to giggle. + +"No, fifty dollars will be about right," went on Mr. Sharp, pulling +out a well-filled wallet. "I will pay you now." + +"And if you will wait I will give you a receipt," continued the +principal, evidently as much appeased at the mention of a professor's +title, as she was by the money. + +"We're getting off cheap," the balloonist whispered to Tom, as the +head of the seminary started down the scuttle to the class-rooms +below. + +"Maybe it's easier getting out of that difficulty than it will be to +get off the roof," replied the lad. + +"Don't worry. Leave that to me," the aeronaut said. It took +considerable to ruffle Mr. Sharp. . + +With a receipt in full for the damage to the tower, and expressing the +hope that, some day, in the near future, Professor Swift would do the +seminary the honor of lecturing to the young lady pupils, Miss Perkman +bade Mr. Sharp and Tom good-by. + +"Young ladies, to your rooms!" she commanded. "You have learned enough +of airships, and there may be some danger getting this one off the +roof." + +"Wouldn't you like to stay and take a ride in it?" Tom asked Miss +Nestor. + +"Indeed I would," she answered daringly. "It's better than a motor- +boat. May I?" + +"Some day, when we get more expert in managing it," he replied, as he +shook hands with her. + +"Now for some hard work," went on the young inventor to Mr. Sharp, +when the roof was cleared of the last of the teachers and pupils. But +the windows that gave a view of the airship in its odd position on the +roof were soon filled with eager faces, while in the streets below was +a great crowd, offering all manner of suggestions. + +"Oh, it's not going to be such a task," said Mr. Sharp. "First we will +repair the rudder and the machinery, and then we'll generate some more +gas, rise and fly home." + +"But the broken propeller?" objected Tom. + +"We can fly with one, as well as we can with two, but not so swiftly. +Don't worry. We'll come out all right," and the balloonist assumed a +confident air. + +It was not so difficult a problem as Tom had imagined to put the +machinery in order, a simple break having impaired the working of the +rudder. Then the smashed propeller was unshipped and the gas machine +started. With all the pupils watching from windows, and a crowd +observing from the streets and surrounding country, for word of the +happening had spread, Tom and his friend prepared to ascend. + +They arose as well as they had done at the shed at home, and in a +little while, were floating over the school. Tom fancied he could +observe a certain hand waving to him, as he peered from the window of +the car-a hand in one of the school casements, but where there were so +many pretty girls doing the same thing, I hardly see how Tom could +pick out any certain one, though he had extraordinarily good eyesight. +However, the airship was now afloat and, starting the motor, Mr. Sharp +found that even with one propeller the Red Cloud did fairly well, +making good speed. + +"Now for home, to repair everything, and we'll be ready for a longer +trip," the aeronaut said to the young inventor, as they turned around, +and headed off before the wind, while hundreds below them cheered. + +"We ought to carry spare propellers if we're going to smash into +school towers," remarked Tom. "I seem to be a sort of hoodoo." + +"Nonsense! It wasn't your fault at all," commented Mr. Sharp warmly. +"It would have happened to me had I been steering. But we will take an +extra propeller along after this." + +An hour later they arrived in front of the big shed and the Red Cloud +was safely housed. Mr. Swift was just beginning to get anxious about +his son and his friend, and was glad to welcome them back. + +"Now for a big trip, in about a week!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp +enthusiastically. "You'll come with us, won't you, Mr. Swift?" + +The inventor slowly shook his head. + +"Not on a trip," he said. "I may go for a trial spin with you, but +I've got too important a matter under way to venture on a long trip," +and he turned away without explaining what it was. But Tom and Mr. +Sharp were soon to learn. + + + +Chapter 7 - Andy Tries a Trick + + + +Without loss of time the young inventor and the aeronaut began to +repair the damage done to the Red Cloud by colliding with the tower. +The most important part to reconstruct was the propeller, and Mr. +Sharp decided to make two, instead of one, in order to have an extra +one in case of future accidents. + +Tom's task was to arrange the mechanism so that, hereafter, the rudder +could not become jammed, and so prevent the airship from steering +properly. This the lad accomplished by a simple but effective device +which, when the balloonist saw it, caused him to compliment Tom. + +"That's worth patenting," he declared. "I advise you to take out +papers on that." + +"It seems such a simple thing," answered the youth. "And I don't see +much use of spending the money for a patent. Airships aren't likely to +be so numerous that I could make anything off that patent." + +"You take my advice," insisted Mr. Sharp. "Airships are going to be +used more in the future than you have any idea of. You get that device +patented." + +Tom did so, and, not many years afterward he was glad that he had, as +it brought him quite an income. + +It required several days' work on the Red Cloud before it was in shape +for another trial. During the hours when he was engaged in the big +shed, helping Mr. Sharp, the young inventor spent many minutes calling +to mind the memory of a certain fair face, and I think I need not +mention any names to indicate whose face it was. + +"She promised to go for a ride with me," mused the lad. "I hope she +doesn't back out. But I'll want to learn more about managing the ship +before I venture with her in it. It won't do to have any accidents +then. There's Ned Newton, too. I must take him for a skim in the +clouds. Guess I'll invite him over some afternoon, and give him a +private view of the machine, when we get it in shape again." + +About a week after the accident at the school Mr. Sharp remarked to +Tom one afternoon + +"If the weather is good to-morrow, we'll try another flight. Do you +suppose your father will come along?" + +"I don't know," answered the lad. "He seems much engrossed in +something. It's unusual, too, for he most generally tells me what he +is engaged upon. However, I guess he will say something about it when +he gets ready." + +"Well, if he doesn't feel just like coming, don't argue him. He might +be nervous, and, while the ship is new, I don't want any nervous +passengers aboard. I can't give them my attention and look after the +running of the machinery." + +"I was going to propose bringing a friend of mine over to see us make +the trip to-morrow," went on the young inventor. "Ned Newton, you know +him. He'd like a ride." + +"Oh, I guess Ned's all right. Let him come along. We won't go very +high to-morrow. After a trial rise by means of the gas, I'm going to +lower the ship to the ground, and try for an elevation by means of the +planes. Oh, yes, bring your friend along." + +Ned Newton was delighted the next day to receive Tom's invitation, +and, though a little dubious about trusting himself in an airship for +the first time, finally consented to go with his chum. He got a half +holiday from the bank, and, shortly after dinner went to Tom's house. + +"Come on out in the shed and take a look at the Red Cloud," proposed +the young inventor. "Mr. Sharp isn't quite ready to start yet, and +I'll explain some things to you." + +The big shed was deserted when the lads entered, and went to the loft +where they were on a level with the big, red aluminum tank. Tom began +with a description of the machinery, and Ned followed him with +interest. + +"Now we'll go down into the car or cabin," continued the young +navigator of the air, "and I'll show you what we do when we're touring +amid the clouds." + +As they started to descend the flight of steps from the loft platform, +a noise on the ground below attracted their attention. + +"Guess that's Mr. Sharp coming," said Ned. + +Tom leaned over and looked down. An instant later he grasped the arm +of his chum, and motioned to him to keep silent. + +"Take a look," whispered the young inventor. + +"Andy Foger!" exclaimed Ned, peering over the railing. + +"Yes, and Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey are with him. They sneaked in +when I left the door open. Wonder what they want?" + +"Up to some mischief, I'll wager," commented Ned. "Hark! They're +talking." + +The two lads on the loft listened intently. Though the cronies on the +ground below them did not speak loudly, their voices came plainly to +the listeners. + +"Let's poke a hole in their gas bag," proposed Sam. "That will make +them think they're not so smart as they pretend." + +"Naw, we can't do that," answered Andy. + +"Why not?" declared Pete. + +"Because the bag's away up in the top part of the shed, and I'm not +going to climb up there." + +"You're afraid," sneered Sam. + +"I am not! I'll punch your face if you say that again! Besides the +thing that holds the gas is made of aluminum, and we can't make a hole +in it unless we take an axe, and that makes too much noise." + +"We ought to play some sort of a trick on Tom Swift," proposed Pete. +"He's too fresh!" + +Tom shook his fist at the lads on the ground, but of course they did +not see him. + +"I have it!" came from Andy. + +"What?" demanded his two cronies. + +"We'll cut some of the guy wires from the planes and rudders. That +will make the airship collapse. They'll think the wires broke from the +strain. Take out your knives and saw away at the wires. Hurry, too, or +they may catch us." + +"You're caught now," whispered Ned to Tom. "Come on down, and give 'em +a trouncing." + +Tom hesitated. He looked quickly about the loft, and then a smile +replaced the frown of righteous anger on his face. + +"I have a better way," he said. + +"What is it?" + +"See that pile of dirt?" and he pointed to some refuse that had been +swept up from the floor of the loft. Ned nodded. "It consists of a lot +of shavings, sawdust and, what's more, a lot of soot and lampblack +that we used in mixing some paint. We'll sweep the whole pile down on +their heads, and make them wish they'd stayed away from this place." + +"Good!" exclaimed Ned, chuckling. "Give me a broom. There's another +one for you." + +The two lads in the loft peered down. The red-headed, squint-eyed +bully and his chums had their knives out, and were about to cut some +of the important guy wires, when, at a signal from Tom, Ned, with a +sweep of his broom, sent a big pile of the dirt, sawdust and lampblack +down upon the heads of the conspirators. The young inventor did the +same thing, and for an instant the lower part of the shed looked as if +a dirtstorm had taken place there. The pile of refuse went straight +down on the heads of the trio, and, as they were looking up, in order +to see to cut the wires, they received considerable of it in their +faces. + +In an instant the white countenances of the lads were changed to +black-as black as the burnt-cork performers in a minstrel show. Then +came a series of howls. + +"Wow! Who did that!" + +"I'm blinded! The shed is falling down!" + +"Run fellows, run!" screamed Andy. "There's been an explosion. We'll +be killed!" + +At that moment the big doors of the shed were thrown open, and Mr. +Sharp came in. He started back in astonishment at the sight of the +three grotesque figures, their faces black with the soot, and their +clothes covered with sawdust and shavings, rushing wildly around. + +"That will teach you to come meddling around here. Andy Roger!" cried +Tom. + +"I-I-you-you-Oh, wait-I-you-" spluttered the bully, almost speechless +with rage. Sam and Pete were wildly trying to wipe the stuff from +their faces, but only made matters worse. They were so startled that +they did not know enough to run out of the opened doors. + +"Wish we had some more stuff to put on 'em," remarked Ned, who was +holding his sides that ached from laughter. + +"I have it!" cried Tom, and he caught up a bucket of red paint, that +had been used to give the airship its brilliant hue. Running to the +end of the loft Tom stood for an instant over the trio of lads who +were threatening and imploring by 'turns. + +"Here's another souvenir of your visit," shouted the young inventor, +as he dashed the bucket of red paint down on the conspirators. This +completed the work of the dirt and soot, and a few seconds later, each +face looking like a stage Indian's ready for the war-path, the trio +dashed out. They shed shavings, sawdust and lampblack at every step, +and from their clothes and hands and faces dripped the carmine paint. + +"Better have your pictures taken!" cried Ned, peering from an upper +window. + +"Yes, and send us one," added Tom, joining his chum. Andy looked up at +them. He dug a mass of red paint from his left ear, removed a mass of +soot from his right cheek, and, shaking his fist, which was +alternately striped red and black, cried out in a rage + +"I'll get even with you yet, Tom Swift!" + +"You only got what was coming to you," retorted the young inventor. +"The next time you come sneaking around this airship, trying to damage +it, you'll get worse, and I'll have you arrested. You've had your +lesson, and don't forget it." + +The red-haired bully, doubly red-haired now, had nothing more to say. +There was nothing he could say, and, accompanied by his companions, he +made a bee-line for the rear gate in the fence, and darted across the +meadow. They were all sorry enough looking specimens, but solely +through their own fault. + + + +Chapter 8 - Winning a Prize + + + +"Well, Tom, what happened?" asked Mr. Sharp, as he saw the trio +running away. "Looks as if you had had an exciting time here." + +"No, those fellows had all the excitement," declared Ned. "We had the +fun." And the two lads proceeded to relate what had taken place. + +"Tried to damage the airship, eh?" asked Mr. Sharp. "I wish I'd caught +them at it; the scoundrels! But perhaps you handled them as well as I +could have done." + +"I guess so," assented Tom. "I must see if they did cut any of the +wires." + +But the young inventor and his chum had acted too quickly, and it was +found that nothing, had been done to the Red Cloud. + +A little later the airship was taken out of the shed, and made ready +for a trip. The gas ascension was first used, and Ned and Mr. Swift +were passengers with Tom and Mr. Sharp. The machine went about a +thousand feet up in the air, and then was sent in various directions, +to the no small delight of a large crowd that gathered in the meadow +back of the Swift property; for it only required the sight of the +airship looming its bulk above the fence and buildings, to attract a +throng. It is safe to say this time, however, that Andy Foger and his +cronies were not in the audience. They were probably too busy removing +the soot and red paint. + +Although it was the first time Mr. Swift had ever been in an airship, +he evinced no great astonishment. In fact he seemed to be thinking +deeply, and on some subject not connected with aeronautics. Tom +noticed the abstraction of his father, and shook his head. Clearly the +aged inventor was not his usual self. + +As for Ned Newton his delight knew no bounds, At first he was a bit +apprehensive as the big ship went higher and higher, and swung about, +but he soon lost his fear, and enjoyed the experience as much as did +Tom. The young inventor was busy helping Mr. Sharp manage the +machinery, rudders-planes and motor. + +A flight of several miles was made, and Tom was wishing they might pay +another visit to the Rocksmond Seminary, but Mr. Sharp, after +completing several evolutions, designed to test the steering qualities +of the craft, put back home. + +"We'll land in the meadow and try rising by the planes alone," he +said. In this evolution it was deemed best for Mr. Swift and Ned to +alight, as there was no telling just how the craft would behave. Tom's +father was very willing to get out, but Ned would have remained in, +only for the desire of his friend. + +With the two propellers whirring at a tremendous speed, and all the +gas out of the aluminum container, the Red Cloud shot forward, running +over the level ground of the meadow, where a starting course had been +laid out. + +"Clear the track!" cried Mr. Sharp, as he saw the crowd closing up in +front of him. The men, boys, several girls and women made a living +lane. Through this shot the craft, and then, when sufficient momentum +had been obtained, Tom, at a command from the aeronaut, pulled the +lever of the elevation rudder. Up into the air shot the nose of the +Red Cloud as the wind struck the slanting surface of the planes, and, +a moment later it was sailing high above the heads of the throng. + +"That's the stuff!" cried Mr. Sharp. "It works as well that way as it +does with the gas!" + +Higher and higher it went, and then, coming to a level keel, the craft +was sent here and there, darting about like a bird, and going about in +huge circles. + +"Start the gas machine, and we'll come to rest in the air," said the +balloonist, and Tom did so. As the powerful vapor filled the container +the ship acquired a bouyancy, and there was no need of going at high +speed in order to sustain it. The propellers were stopped, and the Red +Cloud floated two thousand feet in the air, only a little distance +below some fleecy, white masses from which she took her name. The +demonstration was a great success. The gas was again allowed to +escape, the propellers set in motion, and purely as an aeroplane, the +ship was again sent forward. By means of the planes and rudders a +perfect landing was made in the meadow, a short distance from where +the start had been made. The crowd cheered the plucky youth and Mr. +Sharp. + +"Now I'm ready to go on a long trip any time you are, Tom," said the +aeronaut that night. + +"We'll fit up the car and get ready," agreed the `youth. "How about +you, dad?" + +"Me? Oh, well-er-that is, you see; well, I'll think about it," and Mr. +Swift went to his own room, carrying with him a package of papers, +containing intricate calculations. + +Tom shook his head, but said nothing. He could not understand his +father's conduct. + +Work was started the next day on fitting up the car, or cabin, of the +airship, so that several persons could live, eat and sleep in it for +two weeks, if necessary. The third day after this task had been +commenced the mail brought an unusual communication to Tom and Mr. +Sharp. It was from an aero club of Blakeville, a city distant about a +hundred miles, and stated that a competition for aeroplanes and +dirigible balloons was to be held in the course of two weeks. The +affair was designed to further interest in the sport, and also to +demonstrate what progress had been made in the art of conquering the +air. Prizes were to be given, and the inventors of the Red Cloud, the +achievements of which the committee of arrangements had heard, were +invited to compete. + +"Shall we go in for it, Tom?" asked the balloonist. + +"I'm willing if you are." + +"Then let's do it. We'll see how our craft shows up alongside of +others. I know something of this club. It is all right, but the +carnival is likely to be a small one. Once I gave a balloon exhibition +for them. The managers are all right. Well, we'll have a try at it. +Won't do us any harm to win a prize. Then for a long trip!" + +As it was not necessary to have the car, or cabin, completely fitted +up in order to compete for the prize, work in that direction was +suspended for the time being, and more attention was paid to the +engine, the planes and rudders. Some changes were made and, a week +later the Red Cloud departed for Blakeville. As the rules of the +contest required three passengers, Ned Newton was taken along, Mr. +Swift having arranged with the bank president so that the lad could +have a few days off. + +The Red Cloud arrived at the carnival grounds in the evening, having +been delayed on the trip by a broken cog wheel, which was mended in +mid-air. As the three navigators approached, they saw a small machine +flying around the grounds. + +"Look!" cried Ned excitedly. "What a small airship." + +"That's a monoplane," declared Tom, who was getting to be quite an +expert. + +"Yes, the same kind that was used to cross the English Channel," +interjected Mr. Sharp. "They're too uncertain for my purposes, though; +they are all right under certain conditions." + +Hardly had he spoken than a puff of wind caused the daring manipulator +of the monoplane to swerve to one side. He had to make a quick +descent-so rapid was it, in fact, that the tips of one of his planes +was smashed. + +"It'll take him a day to repair that," commented the aeronaut dryly. + +The Red Cloud created a sensation as she slowly settled down in front +of the big tent assigned to her. Tom's craft was easily the best one +at the carnival, so far, though the managers said other machines were +on the way. + +The exhibition opened the next day, but no flights were to be +attempted until the day following. Two more crafts arrived, a large +triplane, and a dirigible balloon. There were many visitors to the +ground, and Tom, Ned and Mr. Sharp were kept busy answering questions +put by those who crowded into their tent. Toward the close of the day +a fussy little Frenchman entered, and, making his way to where Tom +stood, asked + +"Air you ze ownair of zis machine?" + +"One of them," replied the lad. + +"Ha! Sacre! Zen I challenge you to a race. I have a monoplane zat is +ze swiftest evaire! One thousand francs will I wager you, zat I can +fly higher and farther zan you." + +"Shall we take him up, Mr. Sharp?" asked Tom. + +"We'll race with him, after we get through with the club entries." +decided the aeronaut. "but not for money. It's against my principles, +and I don't believe your father would like it. Racing for prizes is a +different thing." + +"Well, we will devote ze money to charity," conceded the Frenchman. +This was a different matter, and one to which Mr. Sharp did not +object, so it was arranged that a trial should take place after the +regular affairs. + +That night was spent in getting the Red Cloud in shape for the +contests of the next day. She was "groomed" until every wire was taut +and every cog, lever and valve working perfectly. Ned Newton helped +all he could. So much has appeared in the newspapers of the races at +Blakeville that I will not devote much space here to them. Suffice it +to say that the Red Cloud easily distanced the big dirigible from +which much was expected. It was a closer contest with the large +triplane, but Tom's airship won, and was given the prize, a fine +silver cup. + +As the carnival was a small one, no other craft in a class with the +Red Cloud had been entered, so Tom and Mr. Sharp had to be content +with the one race they won. There were other contests among monoplanes +and biplanes, and the little Frenchman won two races. + +"Now for ze affaire wis ze monstaire balloon of ze rouge color!" he +cried, as he alighted from his monoplane while an assistant filled the +gasolene tank. "I will in circles go around you, up and down, zis side +zen ze ozzer, and presto! I am back at ze starting place, before you +have begun. Zen charity shall be ze richair!" + +"All right, wait and see," said Tom, easily. But, though he showed +much confidence he asked Mr. Sharp in private, just before the +impromptu contest: "Do you think we can beat him?" + +"Well," said the aeronaut, shrugging his shoulders, "you can't tell +much about the air. His machine certainly goes very fast, but too much +wind will be the undoing of him, while it will only help us. And I +think," he added, "that we're going to get a breeze." + +It was arranged that the Red Cloud would start from the ground, +without the use of the gas, so as to make the machines more even. At +the signal off they started, the motors making a great racket. The +monoplane with the little Frenchman in the seat got up first. + +"Ah, ha!" he cried gaily, "I leave you in ze rear! Catch me if you +can!" + +"Don't let him beat us," implored Ned. + +"Can't you speed her up any more?" inquired Tom of Mr. Sharp. + +The aeronaut nodded grimly, and turned more gasolene into the twenty- +cylindered engine. Like a flash the Red Cloud darted forward. But the +Frenchman also increased his speed and did, actually, at first, circle +around the bigger machine, for his affair was much lighter. But when +he tried to repeat that feat he found that he was being left behind. + +"That's the stuff! We're winning!" yelled Tom, Ned joining in the +shout. + +Then came a puff of wind. The monoplane had to descend, for it was in +danger of turning turtle. Still the navigator was not going to give +up. He flew along at a lower level. Then Mr. Sharp opened up the Red +Cloud's engine at full speed, and it was the big machine which now +sailed around the other. + +"I protest! I protest!" cried the Frenchman, above the explosions of +his motor. "Ze wind is too strong for me!" + +Mr. Sharp said nothing, but, with a queer smile on his face he sent +the airship down toward the earth. A moment later he was directly +under the monoplane. Then, quickly rising, he fairly caught the +Frenchman's machine on top of a square platform of the gas container, +the bicycle wheels of the monoplane resting on the flat surface. And, +so swiftly did the Red Cloud fly along that it carried the monoplane +with it, to the chagrin of the French navigator. + +"A trick! A trick!" he cried. "Eet is not fair!" + +Then, dropping down, Mr. Sharp allowed the monoplane to proceed under +its own power, while he raced on to the finish mark, winning, of +course, by a large margin. + +"Ha! A trick! I race you to-morrow and again to-morrow!" cried the +beaten Frenchman as he alighted. + +"No, thanks," answered Tom. "We've had enough. I guess charity will be +satisfied." + +The little Frenchman was a good loser, and paid over the money, which +was given to the Blakeville Hospital, the institution receiving it +gladly. + +At the request of the carnival committee, Mr. Sharp and Tom gave an +exhibition of high and long flights the next day, and created no +little astonishment by their daring feats. + +"Well, I think we have reason to be proud of our ship," remarked Mr. +Sharp that night. "We won the first contest we were ever in, and beat +that speedy monoplane, which was no small thing to do, as they are +very fast." + +"But wait until we go on our trip," added Tom, as he looked at the cup +they had won. He little realized what danger they were to meet with in +the flight that was before them. + + + +Chapter 9 - The Runaway Auto + + + +Had the inventors of the Red Cloud desired, they could have made +considerable money by giving further exhibitions at the Blakeville +Aero Carnival, and at others which were to be held in the near future +at adjoining cities. The fame of the new machine had spread, and there +were many invitations to compete for prizes. + +But Tom and Mr. Sharp wished to try their skill in a long flight, and +at the close of the Blakeville exhibition they started for Shopton, +arriving there without mishap, though Tom more than half hoped that +they might happen to strike the tower of a certain school. I needn't +specify where. + +The first thing to be done was to complete the fitting-up of the car, +or cabin. No berths had, as yet, been put in, and these were first +installed after the Red Cloud was in her shed. Then an electrical +heating and cooking apparatus was fitted in; some additional +machinery, tanks for carrying water, and chemicals for making the gas, +boxes of provisions, various measuring instruments and other supplies +were put in the proper places, until the cabin was filled almost to +its capacity. Of course particular attention had been paid to the ship +proper, and every portion was gone over until Mr. Sharp was sure it +was in shape for a long flight. + +"Now the question is," he said to Tom one evening, "who shall we take +with us? You and I will go, of course, but I'd like one more. I wonder +if your father can't be induced to accompany us? He seemed to like the +trial trip." + +"I'll ask him to-morrow," said the lad. "He's very busy to-night. If +he doesn't care about it, maybe Garret Jackson will go." + +"I'm afraid not. He's too timid." + +"I'd like to take Ned Newton, but he can't get any more time away from +the bank. I guess we'll have to depend on dad." + +But, to the surprise of Tom and Mr. Sharp, the aged inventor shook his +head when the subject was broached to him next day. + +"Why won't you go, dad?" asked his son. + +"I'll tell you," replied Mr. Swift. "I was keeping it a secret until I +had made some advance in what I am engaged upon. But I don't want to +go because I am on the verge of perfecting a new apparatus for +submarine boats. It will revolutionize travel under the water, and I +don't want to leave home until I finish it. There is another point to +be considered. The government has offered a prize for an under-water +boat of a new type, and I wish to try for it." + +"So that's what you've been working on, eh, dad?" asked his son. + +"That's it, and, much as I should like to accompany you, I don't feel +free to go. My mind would be distracted, and I need to concentrate +myself on this invention. It will produce the most wonderful results, +I'm sure. Besides, the government prize is no small one. It is fifty +thousand dollars for a successful boat." + +Mr. Swift told something more about his submarine, but, as I expect to +treat of that in another book, I will not dwell on it here, as I know +you are anxious to learn what happened on the trip of the Red Cloud. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Sharp, somewhat dubiously, "I wonder who we can +get to go? We need someone besides you and I, Tom." + +"I s'pose I could get Eradicate Sampson, and his mule Boomerange," +replied the lad with a smile. "Yet I don't know-" + +At that instant there was a tremendous racket outside. The loud +puffing of an automobile could be heard, but mingled with it was the +crash of wood, and then the whole house seemed jarred and shaken. + +"Is it an earthquake?" exclaimed Mr. Swift, springing to his feet, and +rushing to the library windows. + +"Something's happened!" cried Tom. + +"Maybe an explosion of the airship gas!" yelled Mr. Sharp, making +ready to run to the balloon shed. But there was no need. The crashing +of wood ceased, and, above the puffing of an auto could be heard a +voice exclaiming + +"Bless my very existence! Bless my cats and dogs! Good gracious! But I +never meant to do this!" + +Tom, his father and Mr. Sharp rushed to the long, low windows that +opened on the veranda. There, on the porch, which it had mounted by +way of the steps, tearing away part of the railing, was a large +touring car; and, sitting at the steering wheel, in a dazed sort of +manner, was Mr. Wakefield Damon. + +"Bless my shirt studs!" he went on feebly. "But I have done it now!" + +"What's the matter?" cried Tom, hastening up to him. "What happened? +Are you hurt?" + +"Hurt? Not a bit of it! Bless my moonstone! + +It's the most lucky escape I ever had! But I've damaged your porch, +and I haven't done my machine any good. Do you see anything of another +machine chasing me?" + +Tom looked puzzled, but glanced up and down, the road. Far down the +highway could be discerned a cloud of dust, and, from the midst of it +came a faint "chug-chug." + +"Looks like an auto down there," he said. + +"Thank goodness! Bless my trousers, but I've escaped 'em!" cried the +eccentric man from whom Tom had purchased his motor-cycle. + +"Escaped who?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"Those men. They were after me. But I may as well get out and explain. +Dear me! However will I ever get my car off your porch?" and Mr. Damon +seemed quite distressed. + +"Never mind," answered Tom. "We can manage that. Tell us what +happened." + +"Exactly," replied Mr. Damon, growing calmer, "Bless my shoe buttons, +but I had a fright, two of them, in fact. + +"You see," he went on, "I was out partly on pleasure and partly on +business. The pleasure consisted in riding in my auto, which my +physician recommended for my health. The business consisted in +bringing to the Shopton Bank a large amount of cash. Well, I deposited +it all right, but, as I came out I saw some men hanging around. I +didn't like their looks, and I saw them eyeing me rather sharply. I +thought I had seen them before and, sure enough I had. Two of the men +belonged to that Happy Harry gang. I". + +Tom made a quick motion of a caution, pointing to his father, but it +was not necessary, as Mr. Swift was absently-mindedly calculating an a +piece of paper he had taken from his pocket, and had not heard what +Mr. Damon said. The latter, however, knew what Tom meant, and went on. + +"Well, I didn't like the looks of these men, and when I saw them +sizing me up, evidently thinking I had drawn money out instead of +putting it in, I decided to give them the slip. I got in my auto, but +I was startled to see them get in their car. I headed for here, as I +was coming to pay you a visit, anyhow, and the mysterious men kept +after me. It became a regular race. I put on all the speed I could and +headed for your house, Tom, for I thought you would help me. I went +faster and faster, and so did they. They were almost up to me, and I +was just thinking of slowing down to turn in here, when I lost control +of my machine, and-well, I did turn in here, but not exactly as I +intended. Bless my gaiters! I came in with rather more of a rush than +I expected. It was awful-positively awful, I assure you. You've no +idea how nervous I was. But I escaped those scoundrels, for they +rushed on when they saw what I had done-smashed the porch railing". + +"Probably they thought you'd smash them," observed Tom with a laugh. +"But why did they follow you?" + +"Can't imagine! Haven't the least idea. Bless my spark-plug, but they +might have imagined I had money. Anyhow I'm glad I escaped them!" + +"It's lucky you weren't hurt," said Mr. Sharp. + +"Oh, me? Bless my existence! I'm always having narrow escapes." Mr. +Damon caught sight of the Red Cloud which was out in front of the big +shed. "Bless my heart! What's that?" he added. + +"Our new airship," answered Tom proudly. "We are just planning a long +trip in it, but we can't find a third member of the party to go +along." + +"A third member!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Do you really mean it?" + +"We do." + +"Bless my shoe laces! Will you take me along?" + +"Do you mean that?" asked Tom in turn, foreseeing a way out of their +difficulties. + +"I certainly do," answered the eccentric man. "I am much interested in +airships, and I might as well die up in the clouds as any other way. +Certainly I prefer it to being smashed up in an auto. Will you take +me?" + +"Of course!" cried Tom heartily, and Mr. Sharp nodded an assent. Then +Tom drew Mr. Damon to one side. "We'll arrange the trip in a few +minutes," the lad said. "Tell me more about those mysterious men, +please." + + + +Chapter 10 - A Bag of Tools + + + +Wakefield Damon glanced at Mr. Swift. The inventor was oblivious to +his surroundings, and was busy figuring away on some paper. He seemed +even to have forgotten the presence of the eccentric autoist. + +"I don't want father to hear about the men," went on Tom, in a low +tone. "If he hears that Happy Harry and his confederates are in this +vicinity, he'll worry, and that doesn't agree with him. But are you +sure the men you saw are the same ones who stole the turbine model?" + +"Very certain," replied Mr. Damon. "I had a good view of them as I +came from the bank, and I was surprised to see them, until I +remembered that they were out of jail." + +"But why do you think they pursued you?" + +"Bless my eyes! I can't say. Perhaps they weren't after me at all. I +may have imagined it, but they certainly hurried off in their auto as +soon as I left the bank, after leaving my money there. I'm glad I +deposited it before I saw them. I was so nervous, as it was, that I +couldn't steer straight. It's too bad, the way I've damaged your +house." + +"That doesn't matter. But how about the trip in the airship? I hope +you meant it when you said you would go." + +"Of course I did. I've never traveled in the air, but it can't be much +worse than my experience with my motor-cycle and the auto. At least I +can't run up any stoop, can I?" and Mr. Damon looked at Mr. Sharp. + +"No," replied the aeronaut, as he scratched his head, "I guess you'll +be safe on that score. But I hope you won't get nervous when we reach +a great height." + +"Oh, no. I'll just calm myself with the reflection that I can't die +but once," and with this philosophical reflection Mr. Damon went back +to look at the auto, which certainly looked odd, stuck up on the +veranda. + +"Well, you'd better make arrangements to go with us then," went on +Tom. "Meanwhile I'll see to getting your car down. You'll want to send +it home, I suppose?" + +"No, not if you'll keep it for me. The fact is that all my folks are +away, and will be for some time. I don't have to go home to notify +them, and it's a good thing, as my wife is very nervous, and might +object, if she heard about the airship. I'll just stay here, if you've +no objection, until the Red Cloud sails, if sails is the proper term." + +" 'Sails' will do very well," answered Mr. Sharp. "But, Tom, let's see +if you and I can't get that car down. Perhaps Mr. Damon would like to +go in the house and talk to your father," for Mr. Swift had left the +piazza. + +The eccentric individual was glad enough not to be on hand when his +car was eased down from the veranda and disappeared into the house. +Tom and Mr. Sharp, with the aid of Garret Jackson, then released the +auto from its position. They had to take down the rest of the broken +railing, and their task was easy enough. The machine was stored in a +disused shed, and Mr. Damon had no further concern until it was time +to undertake the trip through the air. + +"It will fool those men if I mysteriously disappear," he said, with a +smile. "Bless my hat band, but they'll wonder what became of me. We'll +just slip off in the Red Cloud, and they'll never be the wiser." + +"I don't know about that," commented Tom. "I fancy they are keeping +pretty close watch in this vicinity, and I don't like it. I'm afraid +they are up to some mischief. I should think the bank authorities +would have them locked upon suspicion. I think I'll telephone Ned +about it." + +He did so, and his chum, in turn, notified the bank watchman. But the +next day it was reported that no sign of the men had been seen, and, +later it was learned that an auto, answering the description of the +one they were in, had been seen going south, many miles from Shopton. + +The work of preparing the Red Cloud for the long trip was all but +completed. It had been placed back in the shed while a few more +adjustments were made to the machinery. + +"Bless my eyelashes!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, a few days before the one +set for the start, "but I haven't asked where we are bound for. Where +are we going, anyhow, Mr. Sharp?" + +"We're going to try and reach Atlanta, Georgia," replied the +balloonist. "That will make a fairly long trip, and the winds at this +season are favorable in that direction." + +"That suits me all right," declared Mr. Damon. "I'm all ready and +anxious to start." + +It was decided to give the airship a few more trials around Shopton +before setting out, to see how it behaved with the car heavier loaded +than usual. With this in view a trip was made to Rocksmond, with Mr. +Swift, Mr. Damon and Ned, in addition to Mr. Sharp and Tom, on board. +Then, at Tom's somewhat blushing request, a stop was made near the +Seminary, and, when the pupils came trooping out, the young inventor +asked Miss Nestor if she didn't want to take a little flight. She +consented, and with two pretty companions climbed rather hesitatingly +into the car. No great height was attained, but the girls were fully +satisfied and, after their first alarm really enjoyed the spin in the +air, with Tom proudly presiding at the steering wheel, which Mr. Sharp +relinquished to the lad, for he understood Tom's feelings. + +Three days later all was in readiness for the trip to Atlanta. Mr. +Swift was earnestly invited to undertake it, both Tom and Mr. Sharp +urging him, but the veteran inventor said he must stay at home, and +work on his submarine plans. + +The evening before the start, when the aeronaut and Tom were giving a +final inspection to the craft in the big shed, Mr. Sharp exclaimed "I +declare Tom, I believe you'll have to take a run into town." + +"What for?" + +"Why to get that kit of special tools I ordered, which we might need +to make repairs. There are some long-handled wrenches, some spare +levers, and a couple of braces and bits. Harrison, the hardware +dealer, ordered them for me from New York, and they were to be ready +this afternoon, but I forgot them. Take an empty valise with you, and +you can carry them on your motorcycle. I'm sorry to have forgotten it, +but-" + +"That's all right, Mr. Sharp, I'd just as soon go as not. It will make +the time pass more quickly. I'll start right off." + +An hour later, having received the tools, which made quite a bundle, +the lad put them in the valise, and started back toward home. As he +swung around the corner on which the bank was located-the same bank in +which Ned Newton worked-one of the valves on the motor-cycle began to +leak. Tom dismounted to adjust it, and had completed the work, being +about to ride on, when down the street came Andy Foger and Sam +Snedecker. They started at the sight of our hero. + +"There he is now!" exclaimed Sam, as if he and the red-haired bully +had been speaking of the young inventor. + +"Let's lick him!" proposed Andy. "Now's our chance to get even for +throwing that paint and soot on us." + +Tom heard their words. He was not afraid of both the lads, for, though +each one matched him in size and strength, Tom knew they were cowards. + +"If you're looking for anything I guess I can accommodate you," he +said, coolly. + +"Come on, Andy," urged Sam. But, somehow Andy hung back. Perhaps he +didn't like the way Tom squared off. The young inventor had let down +the rear brace of his motor-cycle, and was not obliged to hold it, so +he had both hands free. + +"We ought to lick him good and proper," growled the squint-eyed lad. + +"Well, why don't you?" invited Tom. + +He moved to one side, so as not to be hampered by his wheel. As he did +so he knocked from the handle bars the valise of tools. They fell with +a clatter and a thud to the pavement, and the satchel came open. It +was under a gas lamp, and the glitter of the long-handled wrenches and +other implements caught the eyes of Andy and his crony. + +"Huh! If we fought you, maybe you'd use some of them on us," sneered +Andy, glad of an excuse not to fight. + +Tom quickly picked up his valise, shutting it, but he was aware of the +close scrutiny of the two vindictive lads. + +"I don't fight with such things," he said, somewhat annoyed, and he +hung the tools back on the handle bars. + +"What you doing around the bank at this hour?" asked Sam, as if to +change the subject. "First thing you know the watchman will order you +to move on. He might think you were a suspicious character." + +"The same to you," retorted Tom, "but I'm going to ride on now, unless +you want to have a further argument with me." + +"You'd better be careful how you hang around a bank," added Andy. "The +police are on the lookout here. There's been some mysterious men seen +about." + +Tom did not care to go into that, and, seeing that the two bullies had +lost all desire to attack him, he put up the brace and mounted his +wheel. + +"Good-by," he called to Andy and Sam, as he rode off, the tools +rattling and jingling in the valise, but it was a sarcastic farewell, +and the two cronies did not reply. + +"I hope I didn't damage any of the tools when I let them fall that +time," mused the young inventor. "My, the way Sam and Andy stared at +them it would make it seem as if I had a lot of weapons in the bag! +They certainly took good note of them." + +The time was to come, and very shortly, when Andy's and Sam's +observation of the tools was to prove disastrous for our hero. As Tom +turned the corner he looked back, and saw, still standing in front of +the bank, the two cronies. + + + +Chapter 11 - The Red Cloud Departs + + + +"Well, dad, I wish you were going along with us," said Tom to his +father next morning. "You don't know what you're going to miss. A fine +trip of several hundred miles through the air, seeing strange sights, +and experiencing new sensations." + +"Yes, I wish you would reconsider your determination, and accompany +us," added Mr. Damon. "I would enjoy your company." + +"There's plenty of room. We can carry six persons with ease," said Mr. +Sharp. + +Mr. Swift shook his head, and smiled. + +"I have too much work to do here at home," he replied. "Perhaps I may +astonish you with something when you come back. I have nearly +perfected my latest invention." + +There was no combating such a resolution as this, and Tom and the +others considered the decision of the aged inventor as final. The +airship was ready for the start, and every one had arisen earlier than +usual on this account. The bag of tools, for which Tom had gone to +town, were put in their proper place, the last of the supplies were +taken abroad, final tests were made of the various apparatus, the +motor had been given a trial spin, disconnected from the propellers, +and then the balloonist announced + +"Well, Tom and Mr. Damon, you had better begin to think of starting. +We've had breakfast here, but there's no telling where we will eat +dinner." + +"Bless my soul! Don't you talk that way!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "You +make me exceedingly nervous. Why shouldn't we know where we are going +to eat dinner?" + +"Oh, I meant we couldn't tell over just what part of the United States +we would be when dinner time came," explained the aeronaut. + +"Oh, that's different. Bless my pocket knife, but I thought you meant +we might be dashed to pieces, and incapable of eating any dinner." + +"Hardly," remarked Mr. Sharp. "The Red Cloud is not that kind of an +airship, I hope. But get aboard, if you please." + +Tom and Mr. Damon entered the car. It was resting on the ground, on +the small wheels used to start the airship when the gas inflation +method was not used. In this case, however, it had been decided to +rise in the air by means of the powerful vapor, and not to use the +wings and planes until another time. Consequently the ship was swaying +slightly, and tugging at the restraining cables. + +As Tom and Mr. Damon entered the cabin there drove into the Swift yard +a dilapidated wagon, drawn by a bony mule, and it did not need the +addition of a colored man's voice, calling: "Whoa, dar, Boomerang!" to +tell Tom that his friend Eradicate Sampson was on hand. As for +Eradicate, as soon as he saw the great airship, which he had never +before beheld fully rigged, all ready for a flight, his eyes became +big with wonder. + +"Is dat yo' flyin' machine, Mistah Swift?" he asked. + +"That's it, Rad," answered Tom. "Don't you want to come and take a +ride with us?" + +"Me? Good land a' massy! No indeedy, Mistah Swift," and the +whitewasher, who had descended from his wagon, edged away, as if the +airship might suddenly put out a pair of hands and grab him. "No +indeedy I doant! I come t' do a little whitewashin' an' when I do dat +I'se gwine on mah way. But dat's a pow'ful fine ship; it suah am!" + +"Better come and try a flight, Rad," added Mr. Damon. "I'll look after +you." + +"No, sag, an' I doan't take it kind ob yo' all t' tempt me dat way, +nuther," spoke Eradicate. But, when he saw that the craft was +stationary, he ventured to approach closer. Gingerly he put out one +hand and touched the framework of the wheels, just forward of the +cabin. The negro grasped the timber, and lifted it slightly. To his +astonishment the whole front of the airship tilted up, for it was +about ready to fly, and a child might have lifted it, so buoyant was +it. But Eradicate did not know this. Wonderingly he looked at the +great bulk of the ship, looming above him, then he glanced at his arm. +Once more, noting that the attention of his friends was elsewhere, he +lifted the craft. Then he cried "Look yeah, Mistah Swift! Look yeah! +No wonder day calls me Sampson. I done lifted dis monstrousness +airship wif one hand, See, I kin do it! I kin do it!" + +Once more he raised the Red Cloud slightly, and a delighted grin, not +unmixed with a look of awe, spread over his honest countenance. + +"I suppose you'll give up whitewashing and join a circus as a strong +man, now," observed Mr. Sharp, with a wink at his companions. + +"Days what I will!" announced Eradicate proudly. "I neber knowed I was +dat strong, but ob course I allers knowed I had some muscle. Golly, I +must hab growed strong ober night! Now, Boomerang, yo' suah has got t' +look out fo' yo' sef. No mo' ob yo' cuttin' up capers, or I'll jest +lift you up, an' sot yo' down on yo' back, I suah will," and the negro +feeling of his biceps walked over to where the mule stood, with its +eyes closed. + +"I guess you can cast off, Tom," called Mr. Sharp, as he entered .the +car, having seen that everything was all right. "We'll not go up very +far at first, until Mr. Damon gets used to the thin air." + +"Bless my soul, I believe I'm getting nervous," announced the +eccentric man. "Bless my liver, but I hope nothing happens." + +"Nothing will happen," Mr. Sharp assured him. "Just keep calm, when it +feels as if the bottom was dropping out of everything and you'll soon +get over it. Are you casting off those ropes, Tom? Is all clear?" + +"All but the bow and stern lines." + +"You attend to the bow line, and I'll go to the stern," and, going +over to the gas generator, Mr. Sharp started it so as to force more +vapor into the red aluminum container. This had the effect of +rendering the airship more bouyant, and it tugged and strained harder +than ever at the ropes. + +"Good-by, Tom," called Mr. Swift, reaching up to shake hands with his +son. "Drop me a line when you get a chance." + +"Oh, Tom, do be careful," implored Mrs. Baggert, her kind face showing +her anxiety. "May I kiss you good-by?" + +"Of course," answered the young inventor, though the motherly +housekeeper had not done this since he was a little chap. She had to +stand on a soap box, which Eradicate brought in order to reach Tom's +face, and, when she had kissed him she said: + +"Oh, I'm so worried! I just know you'll be killed, risking your lives +in that terrible airship!" + +"Ha! Not a very cheerful view to take, madam," observed Mr. Damon. +"Don't hold that view, I beg of you. Bless my eyelashes, but you'll +see us coming home, covered with glory and star dust." + +"I'm sure I hope so," answered Mrs. Baggert, laughing a little in +spite of herself. + +The last ropes were cast off. Good-bys were shouted as the airship +shot into the air, and Mr. Sharp started the motor, to warm it up +before the propellers were thrown into gear. The twenty cylinders +began exploding with a terrific racket, as the muffler was open, and +Tom, looking down, saw Boomerang awaken with a jump. The mule was so +frightened that he started off on a dead run, swinging the rickety, +old wagon along behind him. + +Eradicate Sampson, who had been feeling his muscle since he discovered +what he thought was his marvelous strength, saw what was happening. + +"Whoa, dar, Boomerang!" he shouted. Then, as the tailboard of the +wagon swung past him, he reached out and grabbed it. Perhaps he +thought he could bring the runaway mule up standing, but, if he did, +he was grievously disappointed. Boomerang pulled his master along the +gravel walk, and kept running in spite of Eradicate's command to +"whoa, dar!" + +It might have gone hard with him, had not Garret Jackson, the +engineer, running in front of Boomerang, caught the animal. Eradicate +picked himself up, and gazed sadly at his arms. The navigators of the +air could not hear what he said, but what he thought was evident to +them. + +Then, as Mr. Sharp deadened the explosions of the powerful motor. Tom, +looking at a gauge, noted that their height was seven hundred feet. +"High enough!" called Mr. Sharp, and it was time, for Mr. Damon, in +spite of his resolution, was getting pale. + +The gas was shut off, the propellers thrown into gear, and, with a +rush the Red Cloud shot toward the south, passing over the Swift +homestead, and high above the heads of the crowd that had gathered to +witness the start. The eventful voyage of the air had begun. + + + +Chapter 12 - Some Startling News + + + +"Well, there they go," remarked Mrs. Baggert to Mr. Swift, as she +strained her eyes toward the sky, against the blue of which the +airship was now only a large, black ball. + +"Yes, and a fine start they made," replied the inventor. "I almost +wish I had accompanied them, but I must not stop work on my submarine +invention." + +"I do hope nothing will happen to them," went on the housekeeper. "I +declare, though, I feel just as if something was going to happen." + +"Nervousness, pure nervousness," commented Mr. Swift. "Better take a +little-er-I suppose catnip tea would be good." + +"Catnip tea! The very idea!" exclaimed Mrs. Baggert. "That shows how +much you know about nervousness, Mr. Swift," and she seemed a little +indignant. + +"Ha! Hum I Well, maybe catnip tea wouldn't be just the thing. But +don't worry about Tom. I'm sure he can look after himself. As for Mr. +Sharp he has made too many ascensions to run into any unnecessary +danger." + +"Nervous!" went on the housekeeper, who seemed to resent this state +being applied to her. "I'm sure I'm not half as nervous as that Mr. +Damon. He gives me the fidgets." + +"Of course. Well, I must get back to my work," said the inventor. "Ah, +are you hurt, Eradicate?" he went on, as the colored man came back, +driving Boomerang, who had been stopped just before reaching the road. + +"No, Mistah Swift, I ain't exactly damaged, but mah feelin's am suah +hurted." + +"How's that?" + +"Well, I thought I had growed strong in de night, when I lifted dat +airship, but when I went to stop mah mule I couldn't do it. He won't +hab no respect fo' me now." + +"Oh, I wouldn't let that worry me," commented Mr. Swift, and he +explained to Eradicate how it was that he had so easily lifted the end +of the bouyant ship, which weighed very little when filled with gas. + +The colored man proceeded with his work of whitewashing, the inventor +was in his library, puzzling over tables of intricate figures, and +Mrs. Baggert was in the kitchen, sighing occasionally as she thought +of Tom, whom she loved almost as a son, high in the air, when two men +came up the walk, from the street, and knocked at the side door. Mrs. +Baggert, who answered the summons, was somewhat surprised to see Chief +of Police Simonson and Constable Higby. + +"They probably came to see the airship start," she thought, "but +they're too late." + +"Ah, good morning, Mrs. Baggert," greeted the chief. "Is Mr. Swift and +his son about this morning?" + +"Mr. Swift is in his library, but Tom is gone." + +"He'll be back though, won't he?" asked Constable Higby quickly- +anxiously, Mrs. Baggert thought. + +"Oh, yes," she replied. "He and-" + +"Just take us to see Mr. Swift," interrupted the chief, with a look of +caution at his aide. "We'll explain matters to him." + +Wondering what could be the mission of the two officers, Mrs. Baggert +led them to the library. + +"It's queer," she thought, "that they don't ask something about the +airship. I suppose that was what they came for. But maybe it's about +the mysterious men who robbed Mr. Swift." + +"Ah, gentlemen, what can I do for you?" asked the inventor, as he rose +to greet the officials. + +"Ahem, Mr. Swift. Ahem-er-that is-well, the fact is, Mr. Swift," +stammered the chief, "we have come upon a very painful errand." + +"What's that?" cried Tom's father. "I haven't been robbed again, have +I?' + +"There has been a robbery committed," spoke the constable quickly. + +"But you are not the victim," interposed the chief. + +"I'm glad of that," said Mr. Swift. + +"Where is your son, Tom?" asked the head of the Shopton police force, +sharply. + +"What do you want with him?" inquired the inventor, struck by some +strange tone in the other's voice. + +"Mr. Swift," went on the chief, solemnly, "I said we came upon a very +painful errand. It is painful, as I have known Tom since he was a +little lad. But I must do my duty, no matter how painful it is. I have +a warrant for the arrest of your son, Thomas Swift, and I have come to +serve it. I need not tell you that it is your duty to give him up to +us-the representatives of the law. I call upon you to produce your +son." + +Mr. Swift staggered to his feet. + +"My son! You have come to arrest my son?" he stammered. + +The chief nodded grimly. + +"Upon what charge?" faltered the father. + +"On a charge of breaking into the Shopton National Bank last night, +and stealing from the vault seventy-five thousand dollars in +currency!" + +"Seventy-five thousand dollars! Tom accused of robbing the bank!" +faltered Mr. Swift. + +"That is the charge, and we've come to arrest him," broke in Constable +Higby. + +"Where is he?" added the chief. + +"This charge is false! Absolutely false!" shouted the aged inventor. + +"That may be," admitted the chief shaking his head. "But the charge +has been made, and we hold the warrant. The courts will settle it. We +must now arrest Tom. Where is he?" + +"He isn't here!" cried Mr. Swift, and small blame to him if there was +a note of triumph in his voice. "Tom sailed away not half an hour ago +in the airship Red Cloudl You can't arrest him!" + +"He's escaped!" shouted the constable. "I told you, chief, that he was +a slippery customer, and that we'd better come before breakfast!" + +"Dry up!" commanded the chief testily. "So he's foiled us, eh? Run +away when he knew we were coming? I think that looks like guilt, Mr. +Swift." + +"Never!" cried the inventor. "Tom would never think of robbing the +bank. Besides, he has all the money he wants. The charge is +preposterous! I demand to be confronted with the proof." + +"You shall be," answered Chief Simonson vindictively. "If you will +come to the bank you can see the rifled vault, and hear the testimony +of a witness who saw your son with burglar tools in his possession +last night. We also have a warrant for Mr. Wakefield Damon. Do you +know anything of him?" + +"He has gone with my son in the airship." + +"Ha! The two criminals with their booty have escaped together!" cried +the chief. "But we'll nab them if we have to scour the whole country. +Come on, Higby! Mr. Swift, if you'll accompany me to the bank, I think +I can give you all the proof you want," and the officials, followed by +the amazed and grief-stricken inventor, left the house. + + + +Chapter 13 - Mr. Damon In Danger + + + +The sensations of the voyagers in the airship, who meanwhile, were +flying along over the country surrounding Shopton, were not very +different than when they had undertaken some trial flights. In fact +Mr. Damon was a little disappointed after they had waved their +farewells to Mr. Swift and Mrs. Baggert. + +"I declare I'm not at all nervous," he remarked, as he sat in an easy +chair in the enclosed car or cabin, and looked down at the earth +through the plate-glass windows in the floor. + +"I thought you'd be all right once we got started," commented Mr. +Sharp. "Do you think you can stand going a trifle higher?" + +"Try it,." suggested the eccentric man. "Bless my watch chain, but, as +I said, I might as well die this way as any other. Hitting a cloud- +bank is easier than trying to climb a tree on a motorcycle, eh, Tom?" + +"Very much so, Mr. Damon," conceded the young inventor, with a laugh. + +"Oh, we'll not attempt any cloud heights for a day or two," went on +Mr. Sharp. "I want you, to gradually get used to the rarefied +atmosphere, Mr. Damon. Tom and I are getting to be old hands at it. +But, if you think you can stand it, I'll go up about a thousand feet +higher." + +"Make it two thousand, while you're at it," proposed the odd +character. "Might as well take a long fall as a short one." + +Accordingly, the elevation rudder was used to send the Red Cloud to a +greater height while she was still skimming along like some great +bird. Of course the desired elevation could have been obtained by +forcing more gas from the machine into the big, red container +overhead, but it was decided to be as sparing of this vapor as +possible, since the voyagers did not want to descend to get more +material, in case they used up what they had. It was just as easy to +rise by properly working the rudders, when the ship was in motion, and +that was the method now employed. + +With the great propellers, fore and aft, making about a thousand +revolutions a minute the craft slanted up toward the sky. + +The ship was not being run at top speed as Mr. Sharp did not care to +force it, and there was no need for haste. Long distance, rather than +high speed was being aimed at on this first important flight. + +Tom was at the steering wheel, and, with his I hand on the lever +controlling the elevation rudder, kept watch of the face of Mr. Damon, +occasionally noting what height the hand on the gauge registered. He +fancied he saw the cheeks of his friend growing pale, and, when a +height of thirty-five hundred feet was indicated, with a yank the +young inventor put the airship on a level keel. + +"Are you distressed, Mr. Damon?" he asked. + +"Ye-yes, I-I have-some-some difficulty in breathing," was the answer. + +Tom gave his friend the same advice the aeronaut had given the lad on +his first trip, and the eccentric man soon felt better. + +"Bless my buttons!" he ventured to explain. "But I feel as if I had +lost several pounds of flesh, and I'm glad of it." + +Mr. Sharp was busy with the motor, which needed some slight +adjustments, and Tom was in sole charge of navigating the airship. He +had lost the nervous feeling that first possessed him, and was +becoming quite an expert at meeting various currents of wind +encountered in the upper regions. + +Below, the voyagers could see the earth spread out like a great map. +They could not tell their exact location now, but by calculating their +speed, which was about thirty miles an hour, Tom figured out that they +were above the town of Centreford, near where he had been attacked +once by the model thieves. + +For several hours the airship kept on her way, maintaining a height of +about a mile, for when it was found that Mr. Damon could accommodate +himself to thirty-five hundred feet the elevation rudder was again +shifted to send the craft upward. + +By using glasses the travelers could see crowds on the earth watching +their progress in the air, and, though airships, dirigible balloons +and aeroplanes are getting fairly common now, the appearance of one as +novel and as large as the Red Cloud could always be depended upon to +attract attention. + +"Well, what do you say to something to eat?" proposed Mr. Sharp, +coming into the main cabin, from the motor compartment. "It's twelve +o'clock, though we can't hear the factory whistles up, here." + +"I'm ready, any time you are," called Tom, from the pilot house. +"Shall I cook grub, Mr. Sharp?" + +"No, you manage the ship, and I'll play cook. We'll not get a very +elaborate meal this time, as I shall have to pay occasional visits to +the motor, which isn't running just to suit me." + +The electrical stove was set going, and some soup and beefsteak from +among the stores, was put on the fire. In spite of the fact that the +day was a warm one in October, it was quite cool in the cabin, until +the stove took off the chill. The temperature of the upper regions was +several degrees below that of the earth. At times the ship passed +through little wisps of vapor-clouds in the making. + +"Isn't this wonderful!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, as he sat in an easy +chair, partaking of some of the food. "To think that I have lived to +see the day when I can take my lunch a mile in the air, with a craft +flying along like a bird. Bless my knife and fork but it certainly is +wonderful." + +Mr. Sharp relieved Tom at the wheel, while the young inventor ate, and +then, with the airship heading southwest, the speed was increased a +trifle, the balloonist desiring to see what the motor could accomplish +under a heavy load. + +A drop of several hundred feet was made about an hour later, and, as +this made it warmer, Mr. Damon, who was a great lover of fresh air, +decided to go out on the platform in front of the cabin. This +platform, and a similar one at the rear, was railed about, to prevent +accidents. A fine view could be had from them much better than through +the floor windows of the car. + +"Be careful of the propeller," advised Tom, as his friend went +outside. "I don't believe you're tall enough to be hit by the blades, +but don't take any chances of standing on your tiptoes." + +"Bless my pocket handkerchief, indeed I'll not," came the answer. "But +I think I shall wrap up my throat in the scarf I brought along. I am +subject to neuralgia, and the breeze may bring on an attack of it." + +Wrapping along, woolen scarf about his neck, the eccentric man +ventured out on the open platform. About the middle of it, but +sufficiently high to be above a person's head, was the forward +propeller, whirring around at swift speed. + +Tom, with his eye on the various gauges and the compass, was steering +the airship. He glanced at Mr. Damon, who appeared to be enjoying the +view from the platform. For an instant the eyes of the lad were taken +from the form of his friend. He looked back suddenly, however, his +attention attracted by a smothered cry. He was horrified by what he +saw. + +Mr. Damon was leaning far over the edge of the railing, with nothing +between him and the earth a thousand feet below. He seemed to have +lost his balance and had toppled forward, being doubled up on the iron +pipe railing, his hands hanging limply over. Then, as Tom cried to Mr. +Sharp to shut off the motor, the lad saw that, hanging to the blade of +the propeller, and being whirled around in its revolutions, was a part +of Mr. Damon's red scarf. + +"Hurry! Hurry, Mr. Sharp!" yelled Tom, not daring to let go the +steering wheel, for fear the ship would encounter a treacherous +current and tilt. "Hurry to Mr. Damon!" + +"What's the matter?" asked the balloonist. + +"He's dead-or unconscious-hanging over the railing. He seems to be +slipping! Hurry, or it will be too late!" + + + +Chapter 14 - Andy Gives The Clue + + + +When Mr. Swift followed the chief of police and the constable to the +town hall his mind was filled with many thoughts. All his plans for +revolutionizing submarine travel, were, of course, forgotten, and he +was only concerned with the charge that had been made against his son. +It seemed incredible, yet the officers were not ones to perpetrate a +joke. The chief and constable had driven from town in a carriage, and +they now invited the inventor to ride back with them. + +"Do you mean to tell me a warrant has actually been sworn out against +my son, Chief?" asked the father, when they were near the town hall. + +"That's just what I mean to say, Mr. Swift, and, I'm sorry, on your +account, that I have to serve it." + +"Hub! Don't look like you was goin' to serve it," remarked the +constable. "He's skipped out." + +"That's all right, Higby," went on the chief. "I'll catch em both. +Even if they have escaped in an airship with their booty, I'll nab +'em. I'll have a general alarm out all over the country in less than +an hour. They can't stay up in the air forever." + +"A warrant for Tom-my son," murmured Mr. Swift, as if he could not +believe it + +"Yes, and for that Damon man, too," added the chief. "I want him as +well as Tom, and I'll get 'em." + +"Would you mind letting me see the warrants?" asked the inventor, and +the official passed them over. The documents were made out in regular +form, and the complaints had been sworn to by Isaac Pendergast, the +bank president. + +"I can't understand it," went on Tom's father. "Seventy-five thousand +dollars. It's incredible! Why!" he suddenly exclaimed, "it can't be +true. Just before he left, Mr. Damon-" + +"Yes, what did he do?" asked the chief eagerly, thinking he might +secure some valuable evidence. + +"I guess I'll say nothing until I have seen the bank president," +replied Mr. Swift, and the official was obviously disappointed. + +The inventor found Mr. Pendergast, and some other bank officials in +the town hall. The financiers were rather angry when they learned that +the accused persons had not been caught, but the chief said he would +soon have them in custody. + +"In the meanwhile will you kindly explain, what this means?" asked Mr. +Swift of the president. + +"You may come and look at the looted vault, if you like, Mr. Swift," +replied Mr. Pendergast. "It was a very thorough job, and will +seriously cripple the bank." + +There was no doubt that the vault had been forced open, for the locks +and bars were bent and twisted as if by heavy tools. Mr. Swift made a +careful examination, and was shown the money drawers that had been +smashed. + +"This was the work of experts," he declared. + +"Exactly what we think," said the president. "Of course we don't +believe your son was a professional bank robber, Mr. Swift. We have a +theory that Mr. Damon did the real work, but that Tom helped him with +the tools he had. There is no doubt about it." + +"What right have you to accuse my son?" burst out the aged inventor. +"Why have you any more cause to suspect him than any other lad in +town? Why do you fix on him, and Mr. Damon? I demand to know." + +"Mr. Damon's eccentric actions for a few days past, and his well-known +oddity of character make him an object of suspicion," declared the +president in judicial tones. "As for Tom, we have, I regret to say, +even better evidence against him." + +"But what is it? What? Who gave you any clues to point to my son?" + +"Do you really wish to know?" + +"I certainly do," was the sharp reply. Mr. Swift, the police and +several bank officials were now in the president's office. The latter +pressed an electric bell, and, when a messenger answered, he said + +"Send young Foger here." + +At the mention of this name, Mr. Swift started. He well knew the red- +haired bully was an enemy of his son. Andy entered, walking rather +proudly at the attention he attracted. + +"This is Mr. Swift," said the president. + +"Aw, I know him," blurted out Andy. + +"You will please tell him what you told us," went on Mr. Pendergast. + +"Well, I seen Tom Swift hanging around this bank with burglar tools in +his possession last night, just before it was robbed," exclaimed the +squint-eyed lad triumphantly. + +"Hanging around the bank last night with burglar tools?" repeated Mr. +Swift, in dazed tones. + +"That's right," from Andy. + +"How do you know they were burglar tools?" + +"Because I saw 'em!" cried Andy. "He had 'em in a valise on his motor- +cycle. He was standing at the corner, waiting for a chance to break +into the bank, and when me and Sam Snedecker saw him, he pretended to +be fixin' his machine. Then the bag of burglar tools fell off, the +satchel came open, and I seen 'em! That's how I know." + +"And you're sure they were burglar tools?" asked the chief, for he +depended on Andy to be his most important witness. + +"Sure I am. I seen a picture of burglar tools once, and the ones Tom +had was just like 'em. Long-handled wrenches, brace an' bits, an' all. +He tried to hide 'em, but me an' Sam was too quick for him. He wanted +to lick me, too." + +"No doubt you deserved it," murmured Mr. Swift. "But how do you know +my son was waiting for a chance to break into the bank?" + +"'Cause, wasn't it robbed right after he was hangin' around here with +the burglar tools?" inquired Andy, as if that was unanswerable. + +"What were you hanging around here for?" Mr. Swift demanded quickly. + +"Me? Oh, well, me an' Sam Snedecker was out takin' a walk. That's +all." + +"You didn't want to rob the bank, did you?" went on the inventor, +keenly. + +"Of course not," roared the bully, indignantly. "I ain't got no +burglar tools." + +Andy told more along the same line, but his testimony of having seen +Tom near the bank, with a bag of odd tools could not be shaken. In +fact it was true, as far as it went, but, of course, the tools were +only those for the airship; the same ones Mr. Sharp had sent the lad +after. Sam Snedecker was called in after Andy, and told substantially +the same story. + +Mr. Swift could not understand it, for he knew nothing of Tom being +sent for the tools, and had not heard any talk at home of the bag of +implements ordered by the balloonist. Still, of course, he knew Tom +had nothing to do with the robbery, and he knew his son had been at +home all the night previous. Still this was rather negative evidence. +But the inventor had one question yet to ask. + +"You say you also suspect Mr. Damon of complicity in this affair?" he +went on, to the chief of police. + +"We sure do," replied Mr. Simonson. + +"Then can you explain?" proceeded the inventor, "how it is that Mr. +Damon has on deposit in this bank a large sum. Would he rob the bank +where his own funds were?" + +"We are prepared for that," declared the president. "It is true that +Mr. Damon has about ten thousand dollars in our bank, but we believe +he deposited it only as a blind, so as to cover up his tracks. It is a +deep-laid scheme, and escaping in the airship is part of it. I am +sorry, Mr. Swift, that I have to believe your son and his accomplice +guilty, but I am obliged to. Chief, you had better send out a general +alarm. The airship ought to be easy to trace." + +"I'll telegraph at once," said the official. + +"And you believe my son guilty, solely on the testimony of these two +boys, who, as is well known, are his enemies?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"The clue they gave us is certainly most important," said the +president. "Andy came to us and told what he had seen, as soon as it +became known that the bank had been robbed." + +"And I'm going to get the reward for giving information of the +robbers, too!" cried the bully. + +"I'm going to have my share!" insisted Sam. + +"Ah, then there is a reward offered?" inquired Mr. Swift. + +"Five thousand dollars," answered Mr. Pendergast. "The directors, all +of whom are present save Mr. Foger, Andy's father, met early this +morning, and decided to offer that sum." + +"And I'm going to get it," announced the redhaired lad again. + +Mr. Swift was much downcast. There seemed to be nothing more to say, +and, being a man unversed in the ways of the world, he did not know +what to do. He returned hone. When Mrs. Baggert was made acquainted +with the news, she waxed indignant. + +"Our Tom a thief!" she cried. "Why don't they accuse me and Mr. +Jackson and you? The idea! You ought to hire a lawyer, Mr. Swift, and +prosecute those men for slander." + +"Do you think it would be a good plan?" + +"I certainly do. Why they have no evidence at all! What does that +mean, sneaking Andy Foger amount to? Get a lawyer, and have Tom's +interests looked after." + +Mr. Swift, glad to have sane one share the responsibility with, felt +somewhat better when a well-known Shopton attorney assurred him that +the evidence against Tom was of such a flimsy character that it would +scarcely hold in a court of justice. + +"But they have warrants for him and Mr. Damon," declared the inventor. + +"Very true, but it is easy to swear out a warrant against any one. +It's a different matter to prove a person guilty." + +"But they can arrest my son." + +"Yes--if they catch him. However, we can soon have him released on +bail." + +"It's disgraceful," said Mrs. Baggert. + +"Not at all, my dear madam, not at all. Good and innocent persons have +been arrested." + +"They are going to send out a general alarm for my son," bewailed Mr. +Swift. + +"Yes, but I fancy it will be some time before they catch him and Mr. +Damon, if the airship holds together. I can't think of a better way to +keep out of the clutches of the police, and their silly charge," +chuckled the lawyer. "Now don't worry, Mr. Swift. It will all come out +right. + +The inventor tried to believe so, but, though he knew his son was +innocent, it was rather hard to see, within the next few days, big +posters on all the vacant walls and fences, offering a reward of five +thousand dollars for the arrest of Tom Swift and Wakefield Damon, who +were charged with having flown away in an airship with seventyfive +thousand dollars of the bank's money. + +"I guess Tom Swift will wish he'd been more decent to me when I +collect that money for his arrest," said Andy to his crony, Sam, the +day the bills were posted. + +"Yes, but I get my share, don't I?" asked Sam. + +"Sure," answered the bully. "I wish they'd hurry up and arrest him." + +Within the next few days the country was covered with posters telling +of the robbery and the reward, and police officials in cities large +and small, and in towns and villages, were notified by telegraph to +arrest and capture, at any cost the occupants of a certain large, red +airship. + +Mr. Swift, on the advice of his lawyer, sent several telegrams to Tom, +apprising him of what had happened. The telegraph company was asked to +rush the telegrams to the first city when word came in that the Red +Cloud had landed. + + + +Chapter 15 - Fired Upon + + + +Tom's excited call to the aeronaut, telling of the mishap to Mr. +Damon, was answered immediately. Mr. Sharp jumped forward from the +motor compartment, and, passing on his way the electric switch, he +yanked it out, stopping the machinery, and the great propellers. Then +he leaped out on the platform. + +But something else happened. Just before the accident to the eccentric +man, desiring to give a further test to the planes, the gas had been +shut off, making the airship an aeroplane instead of a dirigible +balloon. Consequently, as soon as the forward motion ceased the great +ship began falling. + +"We're sinking! We're sinking!" cried Tom, forgetting for a moment +that he was not in his motor-boat. + +"Slant your rudder up, and glide downward as slowly as you can!" +directed Mr. Sharp. "I'll start the engine again as soon as I rescue +him," for it was risky to venture out on the platform with the +propeller whirring, as the dangling piece of scarf might whip around +the balloonist and toss him off. + +Mr. Sharp was soon at Mr. Damon's side. He saw that the man was +unconscious, whether from fright or some injury could not then be +determined. There was, however, no sign of a wound. + +It was no easy task to carry, half dragging it, the heavy body of Mr. +Damon off the platform, but the aeronaut was a muscular individual, +and long hanging from a trapeze, at great heights, stood him in good +stead. + +He brought the unconscious man into the cabin, and then, quickly +returning to the platform, he detached the piece of scarf from the +propeller blade. Next he started the motor, and also turned on the gas +tank, so that the airship, in a few minutes, could float in space +without motion. + +"You needn't steer now, Tom," said the balloonist. "Just give me a +hand here." + +"Is-is he dead?" inquired the lad, his voice faltering. + +"No, his heart's beating. I can't understand what happened." + +Mr. Sharp was something of a rough and ready surgeon and doctor, and a +small box of medicines had been brought along in case of emergencies. +With the Red Cloud now lazily floating in the air, for, once the +falling motion had been checked by the engine, the motor had been +stopped again, Mr. Sharp set about restoring Mr. Damon to +consciousness. + +It was not long before the man opened his eyes. The color that had +left his cheeks came back, and, after a drink of cold water he was +able to sit up. + +"Did I fall?" he asked. "Bless my very existence, but did I tumble off +the airship?" + +"No indeed," replied Tom, "though you came pretty near it. How do you +feel? Were you hurt?" + +"Oh, I'm all right now-just a trifle dizzy. But I thought sure I was a +goner when I fell over the platform railing," and Mr. Damon could not +repress a shudder. Mr. Sharp administered some more medicine and his +patient was soon able to stand, and move about. + +"How did it happen?" inquired the balloonist. + +"I hardly know," answered Mr. Damon. "I was out on the platform, +looking at the view, and thinking how much better my neuralgia was, +with the scarf on. Suddenly the wind whipped loose one end of the +scarf, and, before I knew it the cloth had caught on the propeller +blade. I was blown, or drawn to one side, tossed against the railing, +which I managed to grab, and then I lost my senses. It's a good thing +I wasn't whirled around the propeller." + +"It's a good thing you weren't tossed down to the earth," commented +Tom, shivering as he thought of his friend's narrow escape. + +"I became unconscious, partly because the wind was knocked from me as +I hit the platform railing," went on Mr. Damon, "and partly from +fright, I think. But I'm all right now, and I'm not going out on that +platform again with a loose scarf on." + +"I wouldn't go out at all again, if I were you, though, of course, I'm +used to dizzy heights," spoke Mr. Sharp. + +"Oh, I'm not so easily frightened," declared Mr. Damon. "If I'm going +to be a balloonist, or an aeroplanist I've got to get used to certain +things. I'm all right now," and the plucky man was, for the blow to +his side did not amount to much. It was some time, however, before Tom +got over the fright his friend had caused him. + +They spent that night moving slowly south, and in the morning found +they had covered about a hundred miles, not having run the ship to +anything like its maximum speed. Breakfast was served above the +clouds, for a change, Mr. Damon finding that he could stand the great +height with comfort. + +It was three days after the start, and the travelers were proceeding +slowly along. They were totally unaware, of course, of the sensation +which their leaving, conjointly with the bank robbery, had caused, not +only in Shopton but in other places. + +"We're over a good-sized city," announced Tom, on the noon of the +third day. "Suppose we drop down, and leave some message? Dad will be +anxious to hear from us." + +"Good idea," commented Mr. Sharp. "Down it is. Shift the rudder." + +Tom proceeded to do so, and, while Mr. Damon relieved him at the wheel +the young inventor prepared a message to his father. It was placed in +a weighted envelope, together with a sum of money, and the person +picking it up was requested to send the letter as a telegram, +retaining some money for his trouble. + +As the ship got lower and lower over the city the usual crowds could +be seen congregating in the streets, pointing and gazing upward. + +"We're creating quite a stir," observed Tom. + +"More than usual, it seems," added Mr. Sharp, peering down. "I +declare, there seems to be a police parade under way." + +"That's right," put in Mr. Damon, for, looking down, a squad of +uniformed officers, some on horseback, could be seen hurrying along +the main street, trying to keep pace with the airship, which was +moving slowly. + +"They're looking at us through telescopes," called Tom. "Guess they +never saw a balloon down this way." + +Nearer and nearer to the city dropped the Red Cloud. Tom was about to +let go the weighted envelope, when, from the midst of the police came +several puffs of white smoke. It was followed by vicious, zipping +sounds about the cabin of the ship, the windows of which were open. +Then came the reports of several rifles. + +"They're firing at us!" yelled Tom. + +"So they are!" cried Mr. Sharp. "They must be crazy! Can't they see +that we're not a bird." + +"Maybe they take us for a war balloon," suggested Mr. Damon. + +Another volley was directed at the airship, and several bullets struck +the big aluminum gas holder glancing blows. + +"Here! Quit that!" yelled Tom, leaning out of the window. "Are you +crazy? You'll damage us!" + +"They can't hear you," called Mr. Sharp. + +A third volley was fired, and this time several persons other than +police officers seemed to be shooting at the airship. Revolvers as +well as rifles were being used. + +"We're got to get out of this!" shouted Mr. Sharp, as a bullet sang +uncomfortably close to his head. "I can't imagine what's gotten into +the people. Send her up, Tom!" + +The lad quickly shifted the elevation rudder, and the Red Cloud sailed +majestically aloft. The young inventor had not dropped his message, +concluding that citizens who would fire on travelers of the air for no +reason, would not be likely to accommodate them in the matter of +sending messages. + +The craft mounted rapidly upward, but before it was beyond rifle shot +another volley was fired, one bullet sending some splinters flying +from the wooden framework. + +"Whew! That was a narrow escape!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "What in the +world can those people be up to, anyhow?" + + + +Chapter 16 - Over a Fiery Furnace + + + +Down below, the aeronauts could see the crowd, led by the police, +scurrying to and fro. Many individuals beside the officers appeared to +be holding weapons, and, from the puffs of smoke that spurted out, it +was evident that more shots were being fired. But the bullets could do +no harm, and the Red Cloud, under the force of the rapidly revolving +propellers, was soon beyond the center of the city. + +"Well, if that isn't the limit!" cried Tom. "They must have taken us +for a German war balloon, about to drop explosives on them." + +"Bless my liver!" ejaculated Mr. Damon, "I believe you're right. Eh, +Mr. Sharp?" + +The veteran balloonist took a careful look over the craft before +replying. Then he spoke: + +"It couldn't be that," and he shook his head, as if puzzled. "They +would know no foreign airship would try any trick like that. Beside, +if by some remote possibility they did imagine it, there would be +soldiers shooting at us, instead of the police. As it was, the whole +population seemed anxious to bring us down." + +"And they nearly did," added Mr. Damon. "If they had shot a few holes +in the gas bag where would we be?" + +"Right in the air," answered the balloonist. "It would take several +volleys of bullets to damage our aluminum container. It is in sections +and when one, or even five compartments, for that matter, are pierced, +there is enough gas in the others to sustain us. So they could not +have damaged us much, even if they had shot a lot of holes in us. Even +without the gas container we can keep afloat by constantly moving, for +the planes will serve their purpose. Of course they could damage us, +and maybe put some of our machinery out of business, and that would be +a serious thing. But what puzzles me is why they fired at us at all." + +"It couldn't be out of pure mischief; could it?" asked the young +inventor. + +"Hardly. If we were in a savage country I could understand the natives +firing at some such object as this airship, but the people of that +city must have known what our craft was. They probably have read +something about it in the news papers, and to deliberately fire on us, +with the chance of disabling us, seems worse than barbarous." + +"Well, we won't give 'em another opportunity," commented Mr. Damon. + +"No, indeed, not this city, but who knows but what the example may +spread? We may be fired at the next town we sail over." + +"Then steer clear of the towns," advised Tom. + +"Impossible. We must pass over some, but I'd like to solve this +mystery." + +The day passed without further incident, though they did not go low +enough down over any city to drop any messages. It was decided that it +would not be safe. + +"We'll take a chance at night," suggested Tom, and that evening, +approaching a good-sized town in the dusk, several of the weighted +envelopes were dropped overboard. Doubtless persons walking along the +street, who were startled by hearing something fall with a "thud" at +their feet, were much startled to look up and see, dimly, a great, +ghostly shape moving in the air. But there was no shooting, and, +eventually, some of the messages reached Mr. Swift, in Shopton. But he +could not answer them for the airship kept on the move. + +The night was spent floating in the air, with the engine stopped, and +the Red Cloud floating lazily this way and that as the gentle winds +shifted, for it was calm. The "anchorage" if such it may be called, +was above a sparsely settled part of the country, and if the lights of +the airship were seen from below, the farmers doubtless took them for +some new stars or, possibly, a comet. + +"Now then for a fast, straight run!" cried Tom, after breakfast had +been served, and the big motor, with its twenty cylinders, started. +"We'll be able to make the turn to-day, and then make for home, won't +we, Mr. Sharp?" + +"Well, we could do it, Tom," was the answer, "but I like this mode of +traveling so that I think I'll lengthen the voyage. Instead of turning +at Atlanta, what do you say to making for Key West, and then starting +back? That will be something of a trip. The Red Cloud is behaving much +better than I hoped she would." + +"I'm willing to go further if Mr. Damon is." + +"Oh, bless my shoe strings, I'm game!" exclaimed the eccentric man. "I +always did want to go to Key West, anyhow." + +The craft was speeding along at a fast clip, and dinner that day was +served about three miles in the air. Then, desiring to test the +gliding abilities of the airship, it was sent down on a long slant, +with the propellers stationary, the shifting planes and rudders alone +guiding it. + +As the craft fairly slid down out of the sky, like a sled on a bank of +fleecy snow, Tom, who was peering ahead, with his hand on the steering +wheel, cried out "I say! It looks as if we were going to run into a +thunder storm!" + +"How's that?" inquired Mr. Sharp, poking his head from the motor +compartment. + +"He says there's a big storm ahead," repeated Mr. Damon, "and I guess +he's right. I see a big bank of dark clouds, and there is a roaring in +the air." + +Mr. Sharp, who had been making some adjustments to the motor went +forward to take a look. The Red Cloud was swiftly gliding downward on +a slant, straight toward a dark mass of vapor, that seemed to be +rolling first one way, and then another, while as Mr. Damon had said, +there was a low rumbling proceeding from it. + +"That doesn't seem to be a thunder storm," spoke the balloonist, with +a puzzled air. + +They all regarded the dark mass of vapor intently for a few seconds. +Tom had brought the airship to a more level keel, and it was now +spinning along under its own momentum, like a flat piece of tin, +scaled by some lead. But it was headed for the clouds, if such they +were, though losing speed by degrees. + +"I'll have to start the motor!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "We don't want to +run into a storm, if we can help it, though I don't ever remember +seeing a thunder disturbance like that." + +"Whew! It's getting warm," suddenly announced the youth, and he let go +of the steering wheel for a moment, while he took off his coat. + +"That's what it is," agreed Mr. Damon, who also divested himself of +his garments. "Bless my spark plug, but it's like a July day. No +wonder there's a thunderstorm ahead." + +Then Mr. Sharp uttered a cry. "That's no storm!" he fairly shouted. +"It's a big forest fire! That's smoke we see! We must get out of this. +Turn around Tom, while I start the engine. We must rise above it!" + +He fairly leaped for the motor, and Tom and Mr. Damon could hear him +turning the levers and wheels, ready to start. But before the +explosions came something happened. There was a sound as of some +great, siren whistle blowing, and then, with a howl of the on rushing +air, the Red Cloud, the propellers of which hung motionless on their +shafts, was fairly sucked forward toward the fire, as the current +sucks a boat over a water fall. + +"Start the motor! Start the motor, Mr. Sharp!" cried Tom. + +"I'm trying to, but something seems to be the matter." + +"We're being drawn right over the fire!" yelled Mr. Damon. "It's +getting hotter every minute! Can't you do something?" + +"You take the wheel," called the balloonist to Mr. Damon. "Steer +around, just as if it was an auto when we start the engine. Tom, come +here and give me a hand. The motor has jammed!" + +The young inventor sprang to obey. Mr. Damon, his face showing some of +the fear he felt, grasped the steering wheel. The airship was now +about a quarter of a mile high, but instead of resting motionless in +the air, sustained by the gas in the container, she was being pulled +forward, right toward the heart of the mass of black vapor, which it +could now be seen was streaked with bright tongues of flame. + +"What's making us go ahead, if the motor isn't going?" asked Tom, as +he bent over the machine, at which the aeronaut was laboring. + +"Suction-draught from the fire!" explained Mr. Sharp. "Heated air +rises and leaves a vacuum. The cold air rushes in. It's carrying us +with it. We'll be right in the fire in a few minutes, if we can't get +started with this motor! I don't see what ails it." + +"Can't we steer to one side, as it is?" + +"No. We're right in a powerful current of air, and steering won't do +any good, until we have some motion of our own. Turn the gasolene +lever on a little more, and see if you can get a spark." + +Tom did so, but no explosion resulted. The twenty cylinders of the big +engine remained mute. The airship, meanwhile, was gathering speed, +sucked onward and downward as it was by the draught from the fire. The +roaring was plainer now, and the crackling of the flames could be +heard plainly. The heat, too, grew more, intense. + +Frantically Tom and Mr. Sharp labored over the motor. With the +perverseness usual to gas engines, it had refused to work at a +critical moment. + +"What shall I do?" cried Mr. Damon from his position in the pilot +house. "We seem to be heading right for the midst of it?" + +"Slant the elevation rudder," called Tom. "Send the ship up. It will +be cooler the higher we go. Maybe we can float over it!" + +"You'd better go out there," advised Mr. Sharp. "I'll keep at this +motor. Go up as high as you can. Turn on more gas. That will elevate +us, but maybe not quick enough. The gas doesn't generate well in great +heat. I'm afraid we're in for it," he added grimly. + +Tom sprang to relieve Mr. Damon. The heat was now intense. Nearer and +nearer came the Red Cloud to the blazing forest, which seemed to cover +several square miles. Great masses of smoke, with huge pieces of +charred and blazing wood carried up by the great draught, circled +around the ship. The Red Cloud was being pulled into the midst of the +fire by the strong suction. Tom yanked over the elevation rudder, and +the nose of the craft pointed upward. But it still moved downward, +and, a moment later the travelers of the air felt as if they were over +a fiery furnace. + + + +Chapter 17 - "Wanted For Robbery!" + + + +Choking and gasping for breath, feeling as if they could not stand the +intense heat more than a moment longer, the young inventor and his +companions looked at each other. Death seemed ready to reach out and +grasp them. The mass of heated air was so powerful that it swung and +tossed the Red Cloud about as if it were a wisp of paper. + +"We must do something!" cried Mr. Damon, beginning to take off his +collar and vest. "I'm choking!" + +"Lie down in the bottom of the car," suggested Mr. Sharp. "The smoke +won't trouble you so much there." + +The eccentric man, too startled, now, to use any of his "blessing" +expressions, did so. + +"Can't you start the motor?" asked Tom frantically, as he stuck to his +post, with his hand on the steering wheel, the elevation lever jammed +back as far as it would go. + +"I've done my best," answered the balloonist, gasping as he swallowed +some smoke. "I'm afraid--afraid it's all up with us. We should have +steered clear of this from the first. My, how it roars!" + +The crackling and snapping of the flames below them, as they fed on +the dry wood, which no rain had wet for weeks, was like the rush of +some great cataract. Up swirled the dark smoke-clouds, growing hotter +and hotter all the while as the craft came nearer and nearer to the +center of the conflagration. + +"We must rise higher!" cried Tom. "It's our only chance. Turn on the +gas machine full power, and fill the container. That will carry us +up!" + +"Yes, it's our only hope," muttered Mr. Sharp. "We must go up, but the +trouble is the gas doesn't generate so fast when there's too much +heat. We're bound to have to stay over this fiery pit for some time +yet." + +"We're going up a little!" spoke Tom hopefully, as he glanced at a +gauge near him. "We're fifteen hundred feet now, and we were only +twelve a while ago." + +"Good! Keep the elevation rudder as it is, and I'll see what I can do +with the gas," advised the balloonist. "It's our only hope," and he +hurried into the engine room, which, like the other parts of the +cabin, was now murky with choking vapor and soot. + +Suddenly the elevation gauge showed that they were falling. The +airship was going down. + +"What's the matter?" called Mr. Damon, from the cabin floor. + +"I don't know," answered Tom, "unless the rudder has broken." + +He peered through the haze. No, the big elevation rudder was still in +place, but it seemed to have no effect on the shim + +"It's a down draught!" cried Mr. Sharp. "We're being sucked down. It +won't last but a few seconds. I've been in 'em before." + +He seemed to have guessed rightly, for, the next instant the airship +was shooting upward again, and relief came to the aeronauts, though it +was not much, for the heat was almost unbearable, and they had taken +off nearly all their clothing. + +"Lighten ship!" sung out Mr. Sharp. "Toss over all the things you +think we can spare, Tom. Some of the cases of provisions-we can get +more-if we need 'em. We must rise, and the gas isn't generating fast +enough!" + +There was no need for the young inventor at the steering wheel now, +for the craft simply could not be guided. It was swirled about, now +this way, now that, by the currents of heated air. At times it would +rise a considerable distance, only to be pulled down again, and, just +before Tom began to toss overboard some boxes of food, it seemed that +the end had come, for the craft went down so low that the upward +leaping tongues of flame almost reached the lower frame. + +"I'll help you," gasped Mr. Damon, and while he and Tom tossed from +the cabin windows some of their stores, Mr. Sharp was frantically +endeavoring to make the gas generate faster. + +It was slow work, but with the lightening of the ship their situation +improved. Slowly, so slowly that it seemed an age, the elevation +pointer went higher and higher on the dial. + +"Sixteen hundred feet!" sung out Tom, pausing for a look at the gauge. +"That's the best yet!" + +The heat was felt less, now, and every minute was improving their +situation. Slowly the hand moved. The gas was being made in larger +quantities now that the heat was less. Ten minutes more of agony, and +their danger was over. They were still above the burning area, but +sufficiently high so that only stray wisps of smoke enveloped them. + +"Whew! But that was the worst ever!" cried Tom, as he sank exhausted +on a bench, and wiped his perspiring face. "We sure were in a bad +way!" + +"I should say so," agreed Mr. Sharp. "And if we don't get a breeze we +may have to stay here for some time." + +"Why, can't you get that motor to work yet?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless +my gaiters, but I'm all in, as the boys say." + +"I'll have another try at the machine now," replied Mr. Sharp. +"Probably it will work now, after we're out of danger without the aid +of it." + +His guess proved correct, for, in a few minutes, with the aid of Tom, +the motor started, the propellers revolved, and the Red Cloud was sent +swiftly out of the fire zone. + +"Now we'd better take account of ourselves, our provisions, and the +ship," said Mr. Sharp, when they had flown about twenty miles, and +were much refreshed by the cooler atmosphere. "I don't believe the +craft is damaged any, except some of the braces may be warped by the +heat. As for the provisions, you threw over a lot; didn't you, Tom?" + +"Well, I had to." + +"Yes, I guess you did. Well, we'll make a landing." + +"Do you think it will be safe?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously. "We might +be fired upon again." + +"Oh, there's no danger of that. But I'll take precautions. I don't +want a big crowd around when we come down, so we'll pick out a +secluded place and land just at dusk. Then in the morning we can look +over the ship, and go to the nearest town to buy provisions. After +that we can continue our journey, and we'll steer clear of forest +fires after this." + +"And people who shoot at us," added Mr. Damon. + +"Yes. I wish I knew what that was done for," and once again came that +puzzled look to the face of the balloonist. + +The airship gently descended that evening in a large level field, a +good landing being made. just before the descent Tom took an +observation and located, about two miles from the spot they selected +for an "anchorage," a good-sized village. + +"We can get provisions there," he announced. + +"Yes, but we must not let it be known what they are for," said Mr. +Sharp, "or we'll have the whole population out here. I think this will +be a good plan: Tom, you and Mr. Damon go into town and buy the things +we need. I'll stay here with the airship, and look it all over. You +can arrange to have the stuff carted out here in the morning, and left +at a point say about a quarter of a mile away. Then we can carry it to +the ship. In that way no one will discover us, and we'll not be +bothered with curiosity-seekers." + +This was voted a good idea, and, when the landing had been made, and a +hasty examination showed that the ship had suffered no great damage +from the passage over the fire, the young inventor and Mr. Damon +started off. + +They soon found a good road, leading to town, and tramped along it in +the early evening. The few persons they met paid little attention to +them, save to bow in a friendly fashion, and, occasionally wish them +good evening. + +"I wonder where we are?" asked Tom, as they hurried along. + +"In some southern town, to judge by the voices of the people, and the +number of colored individuals we've met," answered Mr. Damon. + +"Let's ask," suggested Tom. + +"No, if you do they'll know we're strangers, and they may ask a lot of +questions." + +"Oh, I guess if it's a small place they'll know we're strangers soon +enough," commented Tom. "But when we get to the village itself we can +read the name on the store windows." + +A few minutes later found them in the midst of a typical southern +town. It was Berneau, North Carolina, according to the signs, they +saw. + +"Here's a restaurant," called Tom, as they passed a neat-appearing +one. "Let's go inside and get some supper before we buy our supplies." + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my flapjacks, but I am beginning +to feel hungry." + +The eating place was a good one, and Tom's predictions about their +being taken for strangers was verified, for, no sooner had they given +their orders than the pretty, white girl, who waited on the table +remarked + +"Ah reckon yo' all are from th' no'th; aren't yo'?"She smiled, as she +spoke, and Tom smiled back as he acknowledged it. + +"Have you a paper-a newspaper I could look at?" he asked. + +"Ah guess Ah can find one," went on the girl. "Ah reckon yo' all are +from N' York. N' Yorkers are so desperant bent on readin' th' news." +Her tones were almost like those of a colored person. + +"Yes, we're from a part of New York," was Tom's reply. + +When a newspaper was brought to him, after they had nearly finished +their meal, the young inventor rapidly scanned the pages. Something on +the front sheet, under a heading of big, black type caught his eye. He +started as he read it + + + +WANTED FOR ROBBERY! + +BANK LOOTERS ESCAPE IN RED AIRSHIP-FIRED AT + +BUT DISAPPEAR + + + +"Great Jehosophat!" exclaimed Tom, in a low voice. "What on earth can +this mean?" + +"What?" inquired Mr. Damon. "Has anything happened?" + +"Happened? I should say there had," was the answer. "Why, we're +accused of having robbed the Shopton Bank of seventy-five thousand +dollars the night before we left, and to have taken it away in the Red +Cloud. There's a general alarm out for us! Why this is awful!" + +"It's preposterous!" burst out Mr. Damon. "I'll have my lawyers sue +this paper. Bless my stocks and bonds, I!" + +"Hush! Not so loud," cautioned Tom, for the pretty waitress was +watching them curiously. "Here, read this, and then we'll decide what +to do. But one thing is certain, we must go back to Shopton at once to +clear ourselves of this accusation." + +"Ha!" murmured Mr. Damon, as he read the article rapidly. "Now I know +why they fired at us. They hoped to bring us down, capture us, and get +the five thousand dollars reward!" + + + +Chapter 18 - Back For Vindication + + + +Tom glanced around the restaurant. There were few persons in it save +himself and Mr. Damon. The pretty waitress was still regarding the two +curiously. + +"We ought to take that paper along with us, to show to Mr. Sharp," +said Tom, in a low voice to his friend. "I haven't had time to take it +all in myself, yet. Let's go. I've had enough to eat, haven't you?" + +"Yes. My appetite is gone now." + +As they arose, to pay their checks the girl advanced. + +"Can you tell me where I can get a copy of this paper?" asked Tom, as +he laid down a generous tip on the table, for the girl. Her eyes +opened rather wide. + +"Yo' all are fo'gettin' some of yo' money." she said, in her broad, +southern tones. Tom thought her the prettiest girl he ever seen, +excepting Mary Nestor. + +"Oh, that's for you," replied the young inventor. "It's a tip. Aren't +you in the habit of getting them down here?" + +"Not very often. Thank yo' all. But what did yo' all ask about that +paper?" + +"I asked where I could get a copy of it. There is something in it that +interests me." + +"Yes, an' Ah reckon Ah knows what it is," exclaimed the girl. "It's +about that airship with th' robbers in it!" + +"How do you know?" inquired Tom quickly, and he tried to seem cool, +though he felt the hot blood mounting to his cheeks. + +"Oh, Ah saw yo' all readin' it. Everybody down heah is crazy about it. +We all think th' ship is comin' down this way, 'cause it says th' +robbers was intendin' to start south befo' they robbed th' bank. Ah +wish Ah could collect thet five thousand dollars. If Ah could see that +airship, I wouldn't work no mo' in this eatin' place. What do yo' all +reckon thet airship looks like?" and the girl gazed intently at Tom +and Mr. Damon. + +"Why, bless my-" began the eccentric man, but Tom broke in hurriedly: + +"Oh, I guess it looks like most any other airship," for he feared that +if his companion used any of his odd expressions he might be +recognized, since our hero had not had time to read the article in the +paper through, and was not sure whether or not a description of +himself, Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp was given. + +"Well, Ah suah wish I could collect thet reward," went on the girl. +"Everybody is on th' lookout. Yo' all ain't see th' airship; have yo' +all?" + +"Where can we get a paper like this?" asked Tom, again, not wanting to +answer such a leading question. + +"Why, yo' all is suah welcome to that one," was the reply. "Ah guess +Ah can affo'd to give it to yo' all, after th' generous way yo' all +behaved to me. Take it, an' welcome. But are yo' all suah yo' are done +eatin' ? Yo' all left lots." + +"Oh, we had enough," replied Tom hurriedly. His sole aim now was to +get away-to consult with Mr. Sharp, and he needed the paper to learn +further details of the astonishing news. He and his friends accused of +looting the bank, and taking away seventy-five thousand dollars in the +airship! It was incredible! A reward of five thousand dollars offered +for their capture! They might be arrested any minute, yet they could +not go on without buying some provisions. What were they to do? + +Once outside the restaurant, Mr. Damon and Tom walked swiftly on. They +came to a corner where there was a street lamp, and there the young +inventor paused to scan the paper again. It was the copy of a journal +published in the nearby county seat, and contained quite a full +account of the affair. + +The story was told of how the bank had been broken into, the vault +rifled and the money taken. The first clue, it said, was given by a +youth named Andy Foger, who had seen a former acquaintance hanging +around the bank with burglar tools. Tom recognized the description of +himself as the "former acquaintance," but he could not understand the +rest. + +"Burglar tools? I wonder how Andy could say that?" he asked Mr. Damon. + +"Wait until we get back, and we'll ask John Sharp," suggested his +companion. "This is very strange. I am going to sue some one for +spreading false reports about me! Bless my ledgers, why I have money +on deposit in that bank! To think that I would rob it!" + +"Poor dad!" murmured Tom. "This must be hard for him. But what about +ordering food? Maybe if we buy any they will trail us, find the +airship and capture it. I don't want to be arrested, even if I am +innocent, and I certainly don't want the airship to fall into the +hands of the police. They might damage it" + +"We must go see Mr. Sharp," declared Mr. Damon, and back to where the +Red Cloud was concealed they went. + +To say that the balloonist was astonished is putting it mildly. He was +even more excited than was Mr. Damon. + +"Wait until I get hold of that Andy Foger!" he cried. "I'll make him +sweat for this! I see he's already laid claim to the reward," he +added, reading further along in the article. "He thinks he has put the +police on our trail." + +"So he seems to have done," added Tom. "The whole country has been +notified to look out for us," the paper says. "We're likely to be +fired upon whenever we pass over a city or a town." + +"Then we'll have to avoid them," declared the balloonist. + +"But we must go back," declared Tom. + +"Of course. Back to be vindicated. We'll have to give up our trip. My, +my! But this is a surprise!" + +"I don't see what makes Andy say he saw me with burglar tools," +commented Tom, with a puzzled air. + +Mr. Sharp thought for a moment. Then he exclaimed "It was that bag of +tools I sent you after-the long wrenches, the pliers, and the brace +and bits.You " + +"Of course!" cried Tom. "I remember now. The bag dropped and opened, +and Andy and Sam saw the tools. But the idea of taking them for +burglar tools!" + +"Well, I suppose the burglars, whoever they were, did use tools +similar to those to break open the vault," put in Mr. Damon. "Andy +probably thought he was a smart lad to put the police on our track." + +"I'll put him on the track, when I return," declared Mr. Sharp. "Well, +now, what's to be done?" + +"We've got to have food," suggested Tom. + +"Yes, but I think we can manage that. I've been looking over the ship, +as best I could in the dark. It seems to be all right. We can start +early in the morning without anyone around here knowing we paid their +town a visit. You and Mr. Damon go back to town, Tom, and order some +stuff. Have the man leave it by the roadside early to-morrow morning. +Tell him it's for some travelers, who will stop and pick it up. Pay +him well, and tell him to keep quiet, as it's for a racing party. +That's true enough. We're going to race home to vindicate our +reputations. I think that will be all right." + +"The man may get suspicious," said Mr. Damon. + +"I hope not," answered the balloonist. "We've got to take a chance, +anyhow." + +The plan worked well, however, the store keeper promising to have the +supplies on hand at the time and place mentioned. He winked as Tom +asked him to keep quiet about it. + +"Oh, I know yo' automobile fellers," he said with a laugh. "You want +to get some grub on the fly, so you won't have to stop, an' can beat +th' other fellow. I know you, fer I see them automobile goggles +stickin' out of your pocket." + +Tom and Mr. Damon each had a pair, to use when the wind was strong, +but the young inventor had forgotten about his. They now served him a +good turn, for they turned the thoughts of the storekeeper into a new +channel. The lad let it go at that, and, paying for such things as he +and Mr. Damon could not carry, left the store. + +The aeronauts passed an uneasy night. They raised their ship high in +the air, anchoring it by a rope fast to a big tree, and they turned on +no lights, for they did not want to betray their position. They +descended before it was yet daylight, and a little later hurried to +the place where the provisions were left. They found their supplies +safely on hand, and, carrying them into the airship, prepared to turn +back to Shopton. + +As the ship rose high in the air a crowd of negro laborers passing +through a distant field, saw it. At once they raised a commotion, +shouting and pointing to the wonderful sight. + +"We're discovered!" cried Tom. + +"No matter," answered Mr. Sharp. "We'll soon be out of sight, and +we'll fly high the rest of this trip." + +Tom looked down on the fast disappearing little hamlet, and he thought +of the pretty girl in the restaurant. + + + +Chapter 19 - Wrecked + + + +With her nose headed north, the Red Cloud swung along through the air. +Those on board were thinking of many things, but chief among them was +the unjust accusation that had been made against them, by an +irresponsible boy-the red-haired Andy Foger. They read the account in +the paper again, seeking to learn from it new things at each perusal. + +"It's just a lot of circumstantial evidence that's what it is," said +Tom. "I admit it might look suspicious to anyone who didn't know us, +but Andy Foger has certainly done the most mischief by his +conclusions. Burglar tools! The idea!" + +"I think I shall sue the bank for damages," declared Mr. Damon. "They +have injured my reputation by making this accusation against me. +Anyhow, I'll certainly never do any more business with them, and I'll +withdraw my ten thousand dollars deposit, as soon as we get back." + +"Mr. Sharp doesn't seem to be accused of doing anything at all," +remarked Tom, reading the article for perhaps the tenth time. + +"Oh, I guess I'm a sort of general all-around bad man, who helped you +burglars to escape with the booty," answered the balloonist, with a +laugh. "I expect to be arrested along with you two." + +"But must we be arrested?" inquired Tom anxiously. "I don't like that +idea at all. We haven't done anything." + +"This is my plan," went on Mr. Sharp. "We'll get back to Shopton as +quickly as we can. We'll arrive at night, so no one will see us, and, +leaving the airship in some secluded spot, we'll go to the police and +explain matters. We can easily prove that we had nothing to do with +the robbery. Why we were all home the night it happened! Mr. Swift, +Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Baggert can testify to that." + +"Yes," agreed Mr. Damon. "I guess they can. Bless my bank book, but +that seems a good plan. We'll follow it." + +Proceeding on the plan which they had decided was the best one, the +Red Cloud was sent high into the air. So high up was it that, at +tunes, a was above the clouds. Though this caused some little +discomfort at first, especially to Mr. Damon, he soon became used to +it, as did the others. And it had the advantage of concealing them +from the persons below who might be on the lookout. + +"For we don't want to be shot at again," explained Mr. Sharp. "It +isn't altogether healthy, and not very safe. If we keep high up they +can't see us; much less shoot at us. They'll take us for some big +bird. Then, too, we can go faster." + +"I suppose there will be another alarm sent out, from those negroes +having sighted us," ventured Tom. + +"Oh, yes, but those colored fellows were so excited they may describe +us as having horns, hoofs and a tail, and their story may not be +believed. I'm not worrying about them. My chief concern is to drive +the Red Cloud for all she is worth. I want to explain some things back +there in Shopton." + +As if repenting of the way it had misbehaved over the forest fire, the +airship was now swinging along at a rapid rate. Seated in the cabin +the travelers would have really enjoyed the return trip had it not +been for the accusation hanging over them. The weather was fine and +clear, and as they skimmed along, now and then coming out from the +clouds, they caught glimpses below them of the earth above which they +were traveling. They had a general idea of their location, from +knowing the town where the paper had given them such astounding news, +and it was easy to calculate their rate of progress. + +After running about a hundred miles or so, at high speed Mr. Sharp +found it necessary to slow down the motor, as some of the new bearings +were heating. Still this gave them no alarm, as they were making good +time. They came to a stop that night, and calculated that by the next +evening, or two at the latest, they would be back in Shopton. But they +did not calculate on an accident. + +One of the cylinders on the big motor cracked, as they started up next +morning, and for some hours they had to hang in the air, suspended by +the gas in the container, while Mr. Sharp and Tom took out the damaged +part, and put in a spare one, the cylinders being cast separately. It +was dusk when they finished, and too late to start up, so they +remained about in the same place until the next day. + +Morning dawned with a hot humidness, unusual at that time of the year, +but partly accounted for by the fact that they were still within the +influence of the southern climate. With a whizz the big propellers +were set in motion, and, with Tom at the wheel, the ship being about +three miles in the air, to which height it had risen after the repairs +were made, the journey was recommenced. + +"It's cooler up here than down below," remarked Tom, as he shifted the +wheel and rudder a bit, in response to a gust of wind, that heeled the +craft over. + +"Yes, I think we're going to have a storm," remarked Mr. Sharp, eyeing +the clouds with a professional air. "We may run ahead of it, or right +into it. We'll go down a bit, toward night, when there's less danger +of being shot." + +So far, on their return trip, they had not been low enough, in the day +time, to be in any danger from persons who hoped to earn the five +thousand dollars reward. + +The afternoon passed quickly, and it got dark early. There was a +curious hum to the wind, and, hearing it, Mr. Sharp began to go about +the ship, seeing that everything was fast and taut. + +"We're going to have a blow," he remarked, "and a heavy one, too. +We'll have to make everything snug, and be ready to go up or down, as +the case calls for." + +"Up or down?" inquired Mr. Damon. + +"Yes. By rising we may escape the blow, or, by going below the strata +of agitated air, we may escape it." + +"How about rain?" + +"Well, you can get above rain, but you can't get below it, with the +law of gravitation working as it does at present. How's the gas +generator, Tom?" + +"Seems to be all right," replied the young inventor, who had +relinquished the wheel to the balloonist. + +They ate an early supper, and, hardly had the dishes been put away, +when from the west, where there was a low-flying bank of clouds, there +came a mutter of thunder. A little later there was a dull, red +illumination amid the rolling masses of vapor. + +"There's the storm, and she's heading right this way," commented Mr. +Sharp. + +"Can't you avoid it?" asked Mr. Damon, anxiously. + +"I could, if I knew how high it was, but I guess we'll wait and see +how it looks as we get closer." + +The airship was flying on, and the storm, driven by a mighty wind, was +rushing to meet it. Already there was a sighing, moaning sound in the +wire and wooden braces of the Red Cloud. + +Suddenly there came such a blast that it heeled the ship over on her +side. + +"Shift the equilibrium rudders!" shouted Mr. Sharp to Tom, turning the +wheel and various levers over to the lad. "I'm going to get more speed +out of the motor!" + +Tom acted just in time, and, after bobbing about like a cork on the +water, the ship was righted, and sent forging ahead, under the +influence of the propellers worked at top speed. Nor was this any too +much, for it needed all the power of the big engine to even partially +overcome the force of the wind that was blowing right against the Red +Cloud. Of course they might have turned and flown before it, but they +wanted to go north, not south-they wanted to face their accusers. + +Then, after the first fury of the blast had spent itself, there came a +deluge of rain, following a dazzling glare of lightning and a bursting +crash of thunder. + +In spite of the gale buffeting her, the airship was making good +progress. The skill of Tom and the balloonist was never shown to +better advantage. All around them the storm raged, but through it the +craft kept on her way. Nothing could be seen but pelting sheets of +water and swirling mist, yet onward the ship was driven. + +The thunder was deafening, and the lightning nearly blinded them, +until the electrics were switched on, flooding the cabin with +radiance. Inside the car they were snug and dry, though the pitching +of the craft was like that of a big liner in the trough of the ocean +waves. + +"Will she weather it, do you think?" called Mr. Damon, in the ear of +Mr. Sharp, shouting so as to be heard above the noise of the elements, +and the hum of the motor. + +The balloonist nodded. + +"She's a good ship," he answered proudly. + +Hardly had he spoken when there came a crash louder than any that had +preceded, and the flash of rosy light that accompanied it seemed to +set the whole heavens on fire. At the same time there was violent +shock to the ship. + +"We're hit! Struck by lightning!" yelled Tom. + +"We're falling!" cried Mr. Damon an instant later. + +Mr. Sharp looked at the elevation gauge. The hand was slowly swinging +around. Down, down dropped the Red Cloud. She was being roughly +treated by the storm. + +"I'm afraid we're wrecked!" said the balloonist in a low voice, +scarcely audible above the roar of the tempest. Following the great +crash had come a comparatively light bombardment from the sky +artillery. + +"Use the gliding rudder, Tom," called Mr. Sharp, a moment later. "We +may fall, but we'll land as easily as possible." + +The wind, the rain, the lightning and thunder continued. Down, down +sank the ship. Its fall was somewhat checked by the rudder Tom swung +into place, and by setting the planes at a different angle. The motor +had been stopped, and the propellers no longer revolved. In the +confusion and darkness it was not safe to run ahead, with the danger +of oolliding with unseen objects on the earth. + +They tried to peer from the windows, but could see nothing. A moment +later, as they stared at each other with fear in their eyes, there +came a shock. The ship trembled from end to end. + +"We've landed!" cried Tom, as he yanked back on the levers. The +airship came to a stop. + +"Now to see where we are," said Mr. Sharp grimly, "and how badly we +are wrecked." + + + +Chapter 20 - Tom Gets A Clue + + + +Out of the cabin of the now stationary airship hurried the three +travelers; out into the pelting rain, which was lashed into their +faces by the strong wind. Tom was the first to emerge. + +"We're on something solid!" he cried, stamping his feet. "A rock, I +guess." + +"Gracious, I hope we're not on a rock in the midst of a river!" +exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my soul, though! The water does seem to be +running around my ankles." + +"There's enough rain to make water run almost up to our necks," called +Mr. Sharp, above the noise of the storm. "Tom, can you make out where +we are?" + +"Not exactly. Is the ship all right?" + +"I can't see very well, but there appears to be a hole in the gas +container. A big one, too, or we wouldn't have fallen so quickly." + +The plight of the travelers of the air was anything but enviable. They +were wet through, for it needed only a few minutes exposure to the +pelting storm to bring this about. They could not tell, in the midst +of the darkness, where they were, and they almost feared to move for +fear they might be on top of some rock or precipice, over which they +might tumble if they took a false step. + +"Let's get back inside the ship," proposed Mr. Damon. "It's warm and +dry there, at all events. Bless my umbrella, I don't know when I've +been so wet!" + +"I'm not going in until I find out where we are," declared Tom. "Wait +a minute, and I'll go in and get an electric flash lantern. That will +show us," for the lightning had ceased with the great crash that +seemed to have wrecked the Red Cloud. The rain still kept up, however, +and there was a distant muttering of thunder, while it was so black +that had not the lights in the cabin of the airship been faintly +glowing they could hardly have found the craft had they moved ten feet +away from it. + +Tom soon returned with the portable electric lamp, operated by dry +batteries. He flashed it on the surface of where they were standing, +and uttered an exclamation. + +"We're on a roof!" he cried. + +"A roof?" repeated Mr. Damon. + +"Yes; the roof of some large building, and what you thought was a +river is the rain water running off it. See!" + +The young inventor held the light down so his companions could observe +the surface of that upon which the airship rested. There was no doubt +of it. They were on top of a large building. + +"If we're on a roof we must be in the midst of a city," objected Mr. +Damon. "But I can't see any lights around, and we would see them if we +were in a city, you know." + +"Maybe the storm put the lights out of business," suggested Mr. Sharp. +"That often occurs." + +"I know one way we can find out for certain," went on Tom. + +"How?" + +"Start up our search lamp, and play it all around. We can't make sure +how large this roof is in the dark, and it's risky trying to trace the +edges by walking around." + +"Yes, and it would be risky to start our searchlight going," objected +Mr. Sharp. "People would see it, and there'd be a crowd up here in +less than no time, storm or no storm. No, we've got to keep dark until +I can see what's the matter. We must leave here before daylight." + +"Suppose we can't?" asked Mr. Damon. "The crowds will be sure to see +us then, anyhow." + +"I am pretty sure we can get away," was the opinion of the balloonist. +"Even if our gas container is so damaged that it will not sustain us, +we are still an aeroplane, and this roof being flat will make a good +place to start from. No, we can leave as soon as this storm lets up a +little." + +"Then I'm going to have a look and find out what sort of a building +this is," declared Tom, and, while Mr. Sharp began a survey, as well +as he could in the dark, of the airship, the young inventor proceeded +cautiously to ascertain the extent of the roof. + +The rain was not coming down quite so hard now, and Tom found it +easier to see. Mr. Damon, finding he could do nothing to help, went +back into the cabin, blessing himself and his various possessions at +the queer predicament in which they found themselves. + +Flashing his light every few seconds, Tom walked on until he came to +one edge of the roof. It was very large, as he could judge by the time +it took him to traverse it. There was a low parapet at the edge. He +peered over, and an expanse of dark wall met his eyes. + +"Must have come to one side," he reasoned. "I want to get to the +front. Then, maybe, I can see a sign that will tell me what I want to +know." + +The lad turned to the left, and, presently came to another parapet. It +was higher, and ornamented with terra-cotta bricks. This, evidently, +was the front. As Tom peered over the edge of the little raised ledge, +there flashed out below him hundreds of electric lights. The city +illuminating plant was being repaired. Then Tom saw flashing below him +one of those large signs made of incandescent lights. It was in front +of the building, and as soon as our hero saw the words he knew where +the airship had landed. For what he read, as he leaned over, was this: + + + +MIDDLEVILLE ARCADE + + + +Tom gave a cry. + +"What's the matter?" called Mr. Sharp. + +"I've discovered something," answered Tom, hurrying up to his friend. +"We're on top of the Middleville Arcade building." + +"What does that mean?" + +"It means that we're not so very far from home, and in the midst of a +fairly large city. But it means more than that." + +"What?" demanded the balloonist, struck by an air of excitement about +the lad, for, as Tom stood in the subdued glow of the lights from one +of the airship's cabin windows, all the others having been darkened as +the storm slackened, his, eyes shone brightly. + +"This is the building where Anson Morse, one of the gang that robbed +dad, once had an office," went on Tom eagerly. "That was brought out +at the trial. And it's the place where they used to do some of their +conspiring. Maybe some of the crowd are here now laying low." + +"Well, if they are, we don't want anything to do with that gang," said +Mr. Sharp. "We can't arrest them. Besides I've found out that our ship +is all right, after all. We can proceed as soon as we like. There is +only a small leak in the gas container. It was the generator machine +that was put out of business by the lightning, and I've repaired it." + +"I want to see if I can get any trace of the rascals. Maybe I could +learn something from the janitor of the Arcade about them. The janitor +is probably here." + +"But why do you want to get any information about that gang?" + +"Because," answered Tom, and, as Mr. Damon at that moment started to +come from the cabin of the airship, the lad leaped forward and +whispered the remainder of the sentence into the ear of the +balloonist. + +"You don't mean it!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp, in a tense whisper. Tom +nodded vigorously. + +"But how can you enter the building?" asked the other. "You can't drop +over the edge." + +"Down the scuttle," answered Tom. "There must be one on the roof, for +they have to come up here at times. We can force the lock, if +necessary. I want to enter the building and see where Morse had his +office." + +"All right. Go ahead. I'll engage Mr. Damon here so he won't follow +you. It will be great news for him. Go ahead." + +Under pretense of wanting the help of the eccentric man in completing +the repairs he had started, Mr. Sharp took Mr. Damon back into the +cabin. Tom, getting a big screwdriver from an outside toolbox, +approached the scuttle on the roof. He could see it looming up in the +semidarkness, a sort of box, covering a stairway that led down into +the building. The door was locked, but Tom forced it, and felt +justified. A few minutes later, cautiously flashing his light, almost +like a burglar he thought, he was prowling around the corridors of the +office structure. + +Was it deserted? That was what he wanted to know. He knew the office +Morse had formerly occupied was two floors from the top. Tom descended +the staircase, trying to think up some excuse to offer, in case he met +the watchman or janitor. But he encountered no one. As he reached the +floor where he knew Morse and his gang were wont to assemble, he +paused and listened. At first he heard nothing, then, as the sound of +the storm became less he fancied he heard the murmur of voices. + +"Suppose it should be some of them?" whispered Tom. + +He went forward, pausing at almost every other step to listen. The +voices became louder. Tom was now nearly at the office, where Morse +had once had his quarters. Now he could see it, and his heart gave a +great thump as he noticed that the place was lighted. The lad could +read the name on the door. "Industrial Development Company." That was +the name of a fake concern headed by Morse. As our hero looked he saw +the shadows of two men thrown on the ground glass. + +"Some one's in there!" he whispered to himself. He could now hear the +voices much plainer. They came from the room, but the lad could not +distinguish them as belonging to any of the gang with whom he had come +in contact, and who had escaped from jail. + +The low murmur went on for several seconds. + +The listener could make out no words. Suddenly the low, even mumble +was broken. Some one cried out "There's got to be a divvy soon. +There's no use letting Morse hold that whole seventy-five thousand any +longer. I'm going to get what's coming to me, or-" + +"Hush!" some one else cried. "Be quiet!" + +"No, I won't! I want my share. I've waited long enough. If I don't get +what's coming to me inside of a week, I'll go to Shagmon myself and +make Morse whack up. I helped on the job, and I want my money!" + +"Will you be quiet?" pleaded another, and, at that instant Tom heard +some one's hand on the knob. The door opened a crack, letting out a +pencil of light. The men were evidently coming out. The young inventor +did not wait to hear more. He had a clue now, and, running on tiptoes, +he made his way to the staircase and out of the scuttle on the roof. + + + +Chapter 21 - On The Trail + + + +"What's the matter, Tom?" asked Mr. Sharp, as the lad came hurrying +along the roof, having taken the precaution to fasten the scuttle door +as well as he could. "You seem excited.""So would you, if you had +heard what I did." + +"What? You don't mean that some of the gang is down there?" + +"Yes, and what's more I'm on the trail of the thieves who robbed the +Shopton Bank of the seventy-five thousand dollars!" + +"No! You don't mean it!" + +"I certainly do." + +"Then we'd better tell Mr. Damon. He's in the cabin." + +"Of course I'll tell him. He's as much concerned as I am. He wants to +be vindicated. Isn't it great luck, though?" + +"But you haven't landed the men yet. Do you mean to say that the same +gang-the Happy Harry crowd-robbed the bank?" + +"I think so, from what I heard. But come inside and I'll tell you all +about it." + +"Suppose we start the ship first? It's ready to run. There wasn't as +much the matter with it as I feared. The storm is over now, and we'll +be safer up in the air than on this roof. Did you get all the +information you could?" + +"All I dared to. The men were coming out, so I had to run. They were +quarreling, and when that happens among thieves-" + +"Why honest men get their dues, everyone knows that proverb," +interrupted Mr. Damon, again emerging from the cabin. "But bless my +quotation marks, I should think you'd have something better to do than +stand there talking proverbs." + +"We have," replied Mr. Sharp quickly. "We're going to start the ship, +arid then we have some news for you. Tom, you take the steering wheel, +and I'll start the gas machine. We'll rise to some distance before +starting the propellers, and then we won't create any excitement." + +"But what news are you going to tell me?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless my +very existence, but you get me all excited, and then you won't gratify +my curiosity." + +"In a little while we will," responded Mr. Sharp. Lively now, Tom. +Some one may see this airship on top of the building, as it's getting +so much lighter now, after the storm." + +The outburst of the elements was almost over and Tom taking another +look over the edge of the roof, could see persons moving about in the +street below. The storm clouds were passing and a faint haze showed +where a moon would soon make its appearance, thus disclosing the craft +so oddly perched upon the roof. There was need of haste. + +Fortunately the Red Cloud could be sent aloft without the use of the +propellers, for the gas would serve to lift her. It had been found +that lightning had struck the big, red aluminum container, but the +shock had been a comparatively slight one, and, as the tank was +insulated from the rest of the ship no danger resulted to the +occupants. A rent was made in two or three of the gas compartments, +but the others remained intact, and, when an increased pressure of the +vapor was used the ship was almost as buoyant as before. + +Into the cabin the three travelers hurried, dripping water at every +step, for there was no time to change clothes. Then, with Tom and Mr. +Sharp managing the machinery, the craft slowly rose. It was well that +they had started for, when a few hundred feet above the roof, the moon +suddenly shone from behind a bank of clouds and would most certainly +have revealed their position to persons in the street. As it was +several were attracted by the sight of some great object in the air. +They called the attention of others to it, but, by the time glasses +and telescopes had been brought to bear, the Red Cloud was far away. + +"Dry clothes now, some hot drinks, and then Tom will tell us his +secret," remarked Mr. Sharp, and, with the great ship swaying high +above the city of Middleville Tom told what he had heard in the office +building. + +"They are the thieves who looted the bank, and caused us to be +unjustly accused," he finished. "If we can capture them we'll get the +reward, and turn a neat trick on Andy Foger and his cronies." + +"But how can you capture them?" asked Mr. Damon. "You don't know where +they are." + +"Perhaps not where Morse and the men who have the money are. But I +have a plan. It's this: We'll go to some quiet place, leave the +airship, and then inform the authorities of our suspicions. They can +come here and arrest the men who still seem to be hanging out in +Morse's office. Then we can get on the trail of this Shagmon, who +seems to be the person in authority this time, though I never heard of +him before. + +He seems to have the money, according to what one of the men in the +office said, and he's the man we want." + +"Shagmon!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Yes, Shagmon. The fellow I heard +talking 'said he'd go to Shagmon and make Morse whack up. Shagmon may +be the real head of the gang." + +"Ha! I have it!" cried Mr. Damon suddenly. "I wonder I didn't think of +it before. Shagmon is the headquarters, not the head of the gang!" + +"What do you mean?" asked Tom, much excited. + +"I mean that there's a town called Shagmon about fifty miles from +here. That's what the fellow in the office meant. He is going to the +town of Shagmon and make Morse whack up. That's where Morse is! That's +where the gang is hiding! That's where the money is! Hurrah, Tom, +we're on the trail!" + + + +Chapter 22 - The Sheriff On Board + + + +The announcement of Mr. Damon came as a great surprise to Tom and Mr. +Sharp. They had supposed that the reference to Shagmon was to a +person, and never dreamed that it was to a locality. But Mr. Damon's +knowledge of geography stood them in good stead. + +"Well, what's the first thing to do?" asked Tom, after a pause. + +"The first thing would be to go to Shagmon, or close to it, I should +say," remarked Mr. Sharp. "In what direction is it, Mr. Damon?" + +"Northwest from where we were. It's a county seat, and that will suit +our plans admirably, for we can call on the sheriff for help." + +"That is if we locate the gang," put in Tom. "I fancy it will be no +easy job, though. How are we going about it?" + +"Let's first get to Shagmon," suggested the balloonist. "We'll select +some quiet spot for a landing, and then talk matters over. We may +stumble on the gang, just as you did, Tom, on the men in the office." + +"No such good luck, I'm afraid." + +"Well, I think we'll all be better for a little sleep," declared the +eccentric man. "Bless my eyelids but I'm tired out." + +As there was no necessity for standing watch, when the airship was so +high up as to be almost invisible, they all turned in, and were soon +sleeping soundly, though Tom had hard work at first to compose +himself, for he was excited at the prospect of capturing the +scoundrels, recovering the money for the bank, and clearing his good +name, as well as those of his friends. + +In the morning careful calculations were made to enable the travelers +to tell when they had reached a point directly over the small city of +Shagmon, and, with the skill of the veteran balloonist to aid them, +this was accomplished. The airship was headed in the proper direction, +and, about ten o'clock, having made out by using telescopes, that +there was plenty of uninhabited land about the city, the craft was +sent aloft again, out of a large crowd that had caught sight of it. +For it was the intention of the travelers not to land until after +dark, as they wanted to keep their arrival quiet. There were two +reasons for this. One was that the whole country was eager to arrest +them, to claim the reward offered by the bank, and they did not want +this to happen. The other reason was that they wanted to go quietly +into town, tell the sheriff their story, and enlist his aid. + +All that day the Red Cloud consorted with the masses of fleecy vapor, +several miles above the earth, a position being maintained, as nearly +as could be judged by instruments, over a patch of woodland where Mr. +Sharp had decided to land, as there were several large clearings in +it. Back and forth above the clouds, out of sight, the airship drifted +lazily to and fro; sometimes, when she got too far off her course, +being brought back to the right spot by means of the propellers. + +It was tedious waiting, but they felt it was the only thing to do. Mr. +Sharp and Tom busied themselves making adjustments to several parts of +apparatus that needed it. Nothing could be done toward repairing the +hole in the aluminum container until a shop or shed was reached, but +the ship really did not need these repairs to enable it to be used. +Mr. Damon was fretful, and "blessed" so many things during the course +of the day that there seemed to be nothing left. Dinner and supper +took up some time, really good meals being served by Tom, who was +temporarily acting as cook. Then they anxiously waited for darkness, +when they could descend. + +"I hope the moon isn't too bright," remarked Mr. Sharp, as he went +carefully over the motor once more, for he did not want it to balk +again. "If it shines too much it will discover us." + +"But a little light would be a fine thing, and show us a good place to +land," argued Tom. + +Fortune seemed to favor the adventurers. There was a hazy light from +the moon, which was covered by swiftly moving dark clouds, now and +then, a most effective screen for the airship, as its great, moving +shape, viewed from the earth, resembled nothing so much as one of the +clouds. + +They made a good landing in a little forest glade, the craft, under +the skillful guidance of Mr. Sharp and Tom, coming down nicely. + +"Now for a trip to town to notify the sheriff," said Mr. Sharp. "Tom, +I think you had better go alone. You can explain matters, and Mr. +Damon and I will remain here until you come back. I should say what +you had best do, would be to get the sheriff to help you locate the +gang of bank robbers. They're in this vicinity and he ought to be +able, with his deputies, to find them." + +"I'll ask him," replied Tom, as he set off. + +It was rather a lonely walk into the city, from the woods where the +airship had landed, but Tom did not mind it, and, reaching Shagmon, he +inquired his way to the home of the sheriff, for it was long after +office hours. He heard, as he walked along the streets, many persons +discussing the appearance of the airship that morning, and he was glad +they had planned to land after dark, for more than one citizen was +regretting that he had not had a chance to get the five thousand +dollars reward offered for the arrest of the passengers in the Red +Cloud. + +Tom found the sheriff, Mr. Durkin by name, a genial personage. At the +mention of the airship the official grew somewhat excited. + +"Are you one of the fellows that looted the bank?" he inquired, when +Tom told him how he and his friends had arrived at Shagmon. + +The young inventor denied the impeachment, and told his story. He +ended up with a request for the sheriff's aid, at the same time asking +if the officer knew where such a gang as the Happy Harry one might be +in hiding. + +"You've come just at the right time, young man," was the answer of +Sheriff Durkin, when he was assured of the honesty of Tom's +statements. "I've been on the point, for the last week, of raiding a +camp of men, who have settled at a disused summer resort about ten +miles from here. I think they're running a gambling game. But I +haven't been able to get any evidence, and every time I sent out a +posse some one warns the men, and we can find nothing wrong. I believe +these men are the very ones you want. If we could only get to them +without their suspecting it, I think I'd have them right." + +"We can do that, Sheriff." + +"How?" + +"Go in our airship! You come with us, and we'll put you right over +their camp, where you can drop down on their heads." + +"Good land, I never rode in an automobile even, let alone an airship!" +went on the officer. "I'd be scared out of my wits, and so would my +deputies." + +"Send the deputies on ahead," suggested Tom. + +The sheriff hesitated. Then he slapped his thigh with his big hand. + +"By golly! I'll go you!" he declared. "I'll try capturing criminals in +an airship for the first, time in my life! Lead the way, young man!" + +An hour later Sheriff Durkin was aboard the Red Cloud, and plans were +being talked of for the capture of the bank robbers, or at least for +raiding the camp where the men were supposed to be. + + + +Chapter 23 - On To The Camp + + + +"Well, you sure have got a fine craft here," remarked Sheriff Durkin, +as he looked over the airship after Tom and his friends had told of +their voyage. "It will be quite up-to-date to raid a gang of bank +robbers in a flying machine, but I guess it will be the only way we +can catch those fellows. Now I'll go back to town, and the first thing +in the morning I'll round-up my posse and start it off. The men can +surround the camp, and lay quiet until we arrive in this ship. Then, +when we descend on the heads of the scoundrels, right out of the sky, +so to speak, my men can close in, and bag them all." + +"That's a good plan," commented Mr. Sharp, "but are you sure these are +the men we want? It's pretty vague, I think, but of course the clue +Tom got is pretty slim; merely the name Shagmon." + +"Well, this is Shagmon," went on the sheriff, "and, as I told your +young friend, I've been trying for some time to bag the men at the +summer camp. They number quite a few, and if they don't do anything +worse, they run a gambling game there. I'm pretty sure, if the bank +robbers are in this vicinity, they're in that camp. Of course all the +men there may not have been engaged in looting the vault, and they may +not all know of it, but it won't do any harm to round-up the whole +bunch." + +After a tour of the craft, and waiting to take a little refreshment +with his new friends, the sheriff left, promising to come as early on +the morrow as possible. + +"Let's go to bed," suggested Mr. Sharp, after a bit. "We've got hard +work ahead of us tomorrow." + +They were up early, and, in the seclusion of the little glade in the +woods, Tom and Mr. Sharp went over every part of the airship. + +The sheriff arrived about nine o'clock, and announced that he had +started off through the woods, to surround the camp, twenty-five men. + +"They'll be there at noon," Mr. Durkin said, "and will close in when I +give the signal, which will be two shots fired. I heard just before I +came here that there are some new arrivals at the camp." + +"Maybe those are the men I overheard talking in the office building," +suggested Tom. "They probably came to get their share. Well, we must +swoop down on them before they have time to distribute the money." + +"That's what!" agreed the county official. Mr. Durkin was even more +impressed by the airship in the daytime than he had been at night. He +examined every part, and when the time came to start, he was almost as +unconcerned as any of the three travelers who had covered many +hundreds of miles in the air. + +"This is certainly great!" cried the sheriff, as the airship rose +swiftly under the influence of the powerful gas. + +As the craft went higher and higher his enthusiasm grew. He was not +the least afraid, but then Sheriff Durkin was accounted a nervy +individual under all circumstances. + +"Lay her a little off to the left," the officer advised Tom who was at +the steering wheel. "The main camp is right over there. How long +before we will reach it?" + +"We can get there in about fifteen minutes, if we run at top speed," +answered the lad, his hand on the switch that controlled the motor. +"Shall we?" + +"No use burning up the air. Besides, my men have hardly had time to +surround the camp. It's in deep woods. If I were you I'd get right +over it, and then rise up out of sight so they can't see you. Then, +when it's noon you can go down, I'll fire the signal and the fun will +commence-that is, fun for us, but not so much for those chaps, I +fancy," and the sheriff smiled grimly. + +The sheriff's plan was voted a good one, and, accordingly, the ship, +after nearing a spot about over the camp, was sent a mile or two into +the air, hovering as nearly as possible over one spot. + +Shortly before twelve, the sheriff having seen to the weapons he +brought with him, gave the signal to descend. Down shot the Red Cloud +dropping swiftly when the gas was allowed to escape from the red +container, and also urged toward the earth by the deflected rudder. + +"Are you all ready?" cried the sheriff, looking at his watch. + +"All ready," replied Mr. Sharp. + +"Then here goes," went on the officer, drawing his revolver, and +firing two shots in quick succession. + +Two shots from the woods below answered him. Faster dropped the Red +Cloud toward the camp of the criminals. + + + +Chapter 24 - The Raid + + + +"Look for a good place to land!" cried Mr. Sharp to Tom. "Any small, +level place will do. Turn on the gas full power as soon as you feel +the first contact, and then shut it off so as to hold her down. Then +jump out and take a hand in the fight!" + +"That's right," cried the sheriff. "Fight's the word! They're breaking +from cover now," he added, as he looked over the side of the cabin, +from one of the windows. "The rascals have taken the alarm!" + +The airship was descending toward a little glade in the woods +surrounding the old picnic ground. Men, mostly of the tramp sort, +could be seen running to and fro. + +"I hope my deputies close in promptly," murmured the sheriff. "There's +a bigger bunch there than I counted on." + +>From the appearance of the gang rushing about it seemed as if there +were at least fifty of them. Some of the fellows caught sight of the +airship, and, with yells, pointed upward. + +Nearer and nearer to the earth settled the Red Cloud. The criminals in +the camp were running wildly about. Several squads of them darted +through the woods, only to come hurriedly back, where they called to +their companions. + +"Ha! My men are evidently on the job!" exclaimed the sheriff. "They +are turning the rascals back!" + +Some of the gang were so alarmed at the sight of the great airship +settling down on their camp, that they could only stand and stare at +it. Others were gathering sticks and stones, as if for resistance, and +some could be seen to have weapons. Off to one side was a small hut, +rather better than the rest of the tumbledown shacks in which the +tramps lived. Tom noticed this, and saw several men gathered about it. +One seemed familiar to the lad. He called the attention of Mr. Damon to +the fellow. + +"Do you know him?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"Bless my very existence! If it isn't Anson Morse! One of the gang!" +cried the eccentric man. + +"That's what I thought," agreed Tom. "The bank robbers are here," he +added, to the sheriff. + +"If we only recover the money we'll be doing well," remarked Mr. +Sharp. + +Suddenly there came a shout from the fringe of woods surrounding the +camp, and an instant later there burst from the bushes a number of +men. + +"My posse!" cried the sheriff. "We ought to be down now!" + +The airship was a hundred feet above the ground, but Tom, opening +wider the gas outlet, sent the craft more quickly down. Then, just as +it touched the earth, he forced a mass of vapor into the container, +making the ship buoyant so as to reduce the shock. + +An instant later the ship was stationary. + +Out leaped the sheriff. + +"Give it to'em, men!" he shouted. + +With a yell his men responded, and fired a volley in the air. + +"Come on, Tom!" called Mr. Sharp. "We'll make for the hut where you +saw Morse." + +"I'll come too! I'll come too!" cried Mr. Damon, rushing along as fast +as he could, a seltzer bottle in either hand. + +Tom's chief interest was to reach the men he suspected were the bank +robbers. The lad dashed through the woods toward the hut near which he +had seen Morse. He and Mr. Sharp reached it about the same time. As +they came in front of it out dashed Happy Harry, the tramp. He was +followed by Morse and the man named Featherton. The latter carried a +black valise. + +"Hey! Drop that!" shouted Mr. Sharp. + +"Drop nothing!" yelled the man. + +"Go on! Go on!" urged Morse. "Take to the woods! We'll deal with these +fellows!" + +"Oh, you will, eh?" shouted Tom, and remembering his football days he +made a dive between Morse and Happy Harry for the man with the bag, +which he guessed contained the stolen money. The lad made a good +tackle, and grabbed Featherton about the legs. He went down in a heap, +with Tom on top. Our hero was feeling about for the valise, when he +felt a stunning blow on the back of his head. He turned over quickly +to see Morse in the act of delivering a second kick. Tom grew faint, +and dimly saw the leader of the gang reach down for the valise. + +This gave our hero sudden energy. He was not going to lose everything, +when it was just within his grasp. Conquering, by a strong effort, his +feeling of dizziness, he scrambled to his feet, and made a grab for +Morse. The latter fended him off, but Tom came savagely back at him, +all his fighting blood up. The effects of the cowardly blow were +passing off. + +The lad managed to get one hand on the handle of the bag. + +"Let go!" cried Morse, and he dealt Tom a blow in the face. It +staggered the youth, but he held on grimly, and raised his left hand +and arm as a guard. At the same time he endeavored to twist the valise +loose from Morse's hold. The man raised his foot to kick Tom, but at +that moment there was a curious hissing sound, and a stream of frothy +liquid shot over the lad's head right into the face of the man, +blinding him. + +"Ha! Take that! And more of it!" shouted Mr. Damon, and a second +stream of seltzer squirted into the face of Morse. + +With a yell of rage he let go his hold of the satchel, and Tom +staggered back with it. The lad saw Mr. Damon rushing toward the now +disabled leader, playing both bottles of seltzer on him. Then, when +all the liquid was gone the eccentric man began to beat Morse over the +head and shoulders with the heavy bottles until the scoundrel begged +for mercy. + +Tom was congratulating himself on his success in getting the bag when +Happy Harry, the tramp, rushed at him. + +"I guess I'll take that!" he roared, and, wheeling Tom around, at the +same time striking him full in the face, the ugly man made a grab for +the valise. + +His hand had hardly touched it before he went down like a log, the +sound of a powerful blow causing Tom to look up. He saw Mr. Sharp +standing over the prostrate tramp, who had been cleanly knocked out. + +"Are you all right, Tom?" asked the balloonist. + +"Yes-trifle dizzy, that's all-I've got the money!" + +"Are you sure?" + +Tom opened the valise. A glance was enough to show that it was stuffed +with bills. + +Happy Harry showed signs of coming to, and Mr. Sharp, with a few turns +of a rope he had brought along, soon secured him. Morse was too +exhausted to fight more, for the seltzer entering his mouth and nose, +had deprived him of breath, and he fell an easy prisoner to Mr. Damon. + +Morse was soon tied up. The other members of the Happy Harry gang had +escaped. + +Meanwhile the sheriff and his men were having a fight with the crowd +of tramps, but as the posse was determined and the criminals mostly of +the class known as "hobos," the battle was not a very severe one. +Several of the sheriff's men were slightly injured, however, and a few +of the tramps escaped. + +"A most successful raid," commented the sheriff, when quiet was +restored, and a number of prisoners were lined up, all tied securely. +"Did you get the money?" + +"Almost all of it," answered Tom, who, now that Morse and Happy Harry +were securely tied, had busied himself, with the aid of Mr. Sharp and +Mr. Damon, in counting the bills. "Only about two thousand dollars are +missing. I think the bank will be glad enough to charge that to profit +and loss." + +"I guess so," added the sheriff. "I'm certainly much obliged to you +for the use of your airship. Otherwise the raid wouldn't have been so +successful. Well, now we'll get the prisoners to jail." + +It was necessary to hire rigs from nearby farmers to accomplish this. +As for Morse and Happy Harry, they were placed in the airship, and, +under guard of the sheriff and two deputies, were taken to the county +seat. The criminals were too dazed over the rough treatment they had +received, and over their sudden capture, to notice the fact of riding +through the air to jail. + +"Now for home!" cried Tom, when the prisoners had been disposed of. +"Home to clear our names and take this money to the bank!" + +"And receive the reward," added Mr. Sharp, with a smile. "Don't forget +that!" + +"Oh, yes, and I'll see that you get a share too, Mr. Durkin," went on +Tom. "Only for your aid we never would have gotten these men and the +money." + +"Oh, I guess we're about even on that score," responded the official. +"I'm glad to break up that gang." + +The next morning Tom and his friends started for home in the Red +Cloud. + +They took with them evidence as to the guilt of the two men-Morse and +Happy Harry. The men confessed that they and their pals had robbed the +bank of Shopton, the night before Tom and his friends sailed on their +trip. In fact that was the object for which the gang hung around +Shopton. After securing their booty they had gone to the camp of the +tramps at Shagmon, where they hid, hoping they would not be traced. +But the words Tom had overheard had been their undoing. The men who +arrived at the camp just before the raid were the same ones the young +inventor heard talking in the office building. They had come to get +their share of the loot, which Morse held, and with which he tried so +desperately to get away. Tom's injuries were not serious and did not +bother him after being treated by a physician. + + + +Chapter 25 - Andy Gets His Reward + + + +Flying swiftly through the air the young inventor and his two +companions were soon within sight of Shopton. As they approached the +town from over the lake, and a patch of woods, they attracted no +attention until they were near home, and the craft settled down easily +in the yard of the Swift property. + +That the aged inventor was glad to see his son back need not be said, +and Mrs. Baggert's welcome was scarcely less warm than that of Mr. +Swift. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon were also made to feel that their +friends were glad to see them safe again. + +"We must go at once and see Mr. Pendergast, the bank president," +declared Mr. Swift. "We must take the money to him, and demand that he +withdraw the offer of reward for your arrest." + +"Yes," agreed Tom. "I guess the reward will go to some one besides +Andy Foger." + +There was considerable surprise on the part of the bank clerks when +our hero, and his friends, walked in, carrying a heavy black bag. But +they could only conjecture what was in the wind, for the party was +immediately closeted with the president. + +Mr. Pendergast was so startled that he hardly knew what to say when +Tom, aided by Mr. Sharp, told his story. But the return of the money, +with documents from Sheriff Durkin, certifying as to the arrest of +Morse and Happy Harry, soon convinced him of the truth of the account. + +"It's the most wonderful thing I ever heard," said the president. + +"Well, what are you going to do about it?" asked Mr. Damon. "You have +accused Tom and myself of being thieves, and-" + +"I apologize-I apologize most humbly!" exclaimed Mr. Pendergast. "I +also-" + +"What about the reward?" went on Mr. Damon. "Bless my bank notes, I +don't want any of it, for I have enough, but I think Tom and Mr. Sharp +and the sheriff are entitled to it." + +"Certainly," said the president, "certainly. It will be paid at once. +I will call a meeting of the directors. In fact they are all in the +bank now, save Mr. Foger, and I can reach him by telephone. If you +will just rest yourselves in that room there I will summon you before +the board, when it convenes, and be most happy to pay over the five +thousand dollars reward. It is the most wonderful thing I ever heard +of-most wonderful!" + +In a room adjoining that of the president, Tom, his father and Mr. +Damon waited for the directors to meet. Mr. Foger could be heard +entering a little later. + +"What's this I hear, Pendergast?" he cried, rubbing his hands. "The +bank robbers captured, eh? Well, that's good news. Of course we'll pay +the reward. I always knew my boy was a smart lad. Five thousand +dollars will be a tidy sum for him. Of course his chum, Sam Snedecker +is entitled to some, but not much. So they've caught Tom Swift and +that rascally Damon, eh? I always knew he was a scoundrel! Putting +money in here as a blind!" + +Mr. Damon heard, and shook his fist. + +"I'll make him suffer for that," he whispered. + +"Tom Swift arrested, eh?" went on Mr. Foger. "I always knew he was a +bad egg. Who caught them? Where are they?" + +"In the next room," replied Mr. Pendergast, who loved a joke almost as +well as did Tom. "They may come out now," added the president, opening +the door, and sending Ned Newton in to summon Tom, Mr. Swift and Mr. +Damon, who filed out before the board of directors. + +"Gentlemen," began the president, "I have the pleasure of presenting +to you Mr. Thomas Swift, Mr. Barton Swift and Mr. Wakefield Damon. I +also have the honor to announce that Mr. Thomas Swift and Mr. Damon +have been instrumental in capturing the burglars who recently robbed +our bank, and I am happy to add that young Mr. Swift and Mr. Wakefeld +Damon have, this morning, brought to me all but a small part of the +money stolen from us. Which money they succeeded, after a desperate +fight " + +"A fight partly with seltzer bottles," interrupted Mr. Damon proudly. +"Don't forget them." + +"Partly with seltzer bottles," conceded the president with a smile. +"After a fight they succeeded in getting the money back. Here it is, +and I now suggest that we pay the reward we promised." + +"What? Reward? Pay them? The money back? Isn't my son to receive the +five thousand dollars for informing as to the identity of the thief- +isn't he?" demanded Mr. Foger, almost suffocating from his +astonishment at the unexpected announcement. + +"Hardly," answered Mr. Pendergast dryly. "Your son's information +happened to be very wrong. The tools he saw Tom have in the bag were +airship tools, not burglar's. And the same gang that once robbed Mr. +Swift robbed our, bank. Tom Swift captured them, and is entitled to +the reward. It will be necessary for us directors to make up the sum, +personally, and I, for one, am very glad to do so." + +"So am I," came in a chorus from the others seated at the table. + +"But-er-I understood that my son-" stammered Mr. Foger, who did not at +all relish having to see his son lose the reward. + +"It was all a mistake about your son," commented Mr. Pendergast. +"Gentlemen, is it your desire that I write out a check for young Mr. +Swift?" + +They all voted in the affirmative, even Mr. Foger being obliged to do +so, much against his wishes. He was a very much chagrined man, when +the directors' meeting broke up. Word was sent at once, by telegraph, +to all the cities where reward posters had been displayed, recalling +the offer, and stating that Tom Swift and Mr. Damon were cleared. Mr. +Sharp had never been really accused. + +"Well, let's go home," suggested Tom when he had the five-thousand- +dollar check in his pocket. + +"I want another ride in the Red Cloud as soon as it's repaired." + +"So do I!" declared Mr. Damon. + +The eccentric man and Mr. Swift walked on ahead, and Tom strolled down +toward the dock, for he thought he would take a short trip in his +motor-boat. + +He was near the lake, not having met many persons, when he saw a +figure running up from the water. He knew who it was in an instant +Andy Foger. As for the bully, at the sight of Tom he hesitated, than +came boldly on. Evidently he had not heard of our hero's arrival. + +"Ha!" exclaimed the red-haired lad, "I've been looking for you. The +police want you, Tom Swift." + +"Oh, do they?" asked the young inventor gently. + +"Yes; for robbery. I'm going to get the reward, too. You thought you +were smart, but I saw those burglar tools in your valise. I sent the +police after you. So you've come back, eh? I'm going to tell Chief +Simonson. You wait." + +"Yes," answered Tom, "I'll wait. So the police want me, do they?" + +"That's what they do," snarled Andy. "I told you I'd get even with +you, and I've done it." + +"Well," burst out Tom, unable to longer contain himself, as he thought +of all he had suffered at the hands of the red-haired bully, "I said +I'd get even with you, but I haven't done it yet. I'm going to now. +Take off your coat, Andy. You and I are going to have a little +argument." + +"Don't you dare lay a finger on me!" blustered the squint-eyed one. + +Tom peeled off his coat. Andy, who saw that he could not escape, +rushed forward, and dealt the young inventor a blow on the chest. That +was all Tom wanted, and the next instant he went at Andy hammer and +tongs. The bully tried to fight, but he had no chance with his +antagonist, who was righteously angry, and who made every blow tell. +It was a sorry-looking Andy Foger who begged for mercy a little later. + +Tom had no desire to administer more than a deserved reward to the +bully, but perhaps he did add a little for interest. At any rate Andy +thought so. + +"You just wait!" he cried, as he limped off. "I'll make you sorry for +this." + +"Oh, don't go to any trouble on my account," said Tom gently, as he +put on his coat. But Andy did go to considerable trouble to be +revenged on the young inventor, and whether be succeeded or not you +may learn by reading the fourth book of this series, to be called "Tom +Swift and His Submarine Boat; or, Under the Ocean for Sunken +Treasure," in which I shall relate the particulars of a voyage that +was marvelous in the extreme. + +Tom reached home in a very pleasant frame of mind that afternoon. +Things had turned out much better than he thought they would. A few +weeks later the two bank robbers, who were found guilty, were +sentenced to long terms, but their companions were not captured. Tom +sent Sheriff Durkin a share of the reward, and the lad invested his +own share in bank stock, after giving some to Mr. Sharp. Mr. Damon +refused to accept any. As for Mr. Swift, once he saw matters +straightened out, and his son safe, he resumed his work on his prize +submarine boat, his son helping him. + +As for Tom, he alternated his spare time between trips in the airship +and his motor-boat, and frequently a certain young lady from the +Rocksmond Seminary was his companion. I think you know her name by +this time. Now, for a while, we will take leave of Tom Swift and his +friends, trusting to meet them again. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext Tom Swift and His Airship, by Appleton + diff --git a/old/03tom10.zip b/old/03tom10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..45bc5ec --- /dev/null +++ b/old/03tom10.zip diff --git a/old/03tom10h.htm b/old/03tom10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..477acd8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/03tom10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5844 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom Swift And His Airship, by Victor Appleton. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + +<pre> +Project Gutenberg's Etext Tom Swift and His Airship, by Appleton +#3 in the Tom Swift series by Victor Appleton + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the laws for your country before redistributing these files!!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. + +Please do not remove this. + +This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book. +Do not change or edit it without written permission. 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Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> + <a href="#Chapter_1___An_Explosion"><b>Chapter 1 - An Explosion</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_2___Ned_Sees_Mysterious_Men"><b>Chapter 2 - Ned Sees Mysterious Men</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_3___Whitewashed"><b>Chapter 3 - Whitewashed</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_4___A_Trial_Trip"><b>Chapter 4 - A Trial Trip</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_6___Getting_Off_The_Roof"><b>Chapter 6 - Getting Off The Roof</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_7___Andy_Tries_a_Trick"><b>Chapter 7 - Andy Tries a Trick</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_8___Winning_a_Prize"><b>Chapter 8 - Winning a Prize</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_9___The_Runaway_Auto"><b>Chapter 9 - The Runaway Auto</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_10___A_Bag_of_Tools"><b>Chapter 10 - A Bag of Tools</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_11___The_Red_Cloud_Departs"><b>Chapter 11 - The Red Cloud Departs</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_12___Some_Startling_News"><b>Chapter 12 - Some Startling News</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_13___Mr_Damon_In_Danger"><b>Chapter 13 - Mr. Damon In Danger</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_14___Andy_Gives_The_Clue"><b>Chapter 14 - Andy Gives The Clue</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_15___Fired_Upon"><b>Chapter 15 - Fired Upon</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_16___Over_a_Fiery_Furnace"><b>Chapter 16 - Over a Fiery Furnace</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_17___Wanted_For_Robberyquot"><b>Chapter 17 - "Wanted For Robbery!"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_18___Back_For_Vindication"><b>Chapter 18 - Back For Vindication</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_19___Wrecked"><b>Chapter 19 - Wrecked</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_20___Tom_Gets_A_Clue"><b>Chapter 20 - Tom Gets A Clue</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_21___On_The_Trail"><b>Chapter 21 - On The Trail</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_22___The_Sheriff_On_Board"><b>Chapter 22 - The Sheriff On Board</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_23___On_To_The_Camp"><b>Chapter 23 - On To The Camp</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_24___The_Raid"><b>Chapter 24 - The Raid</b></a><br /> + <a href="#Chapter_25___Andy_Gets_His_Reward"><b>Chapter 25 - Andy Gets His Reward</b></a><br /> + </p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_1___An_Explosion" id="Chapter_1___An_Explosion" />Chapter 1 - An Explosion</h2> + + + +<p>"Are you all ready, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"All ready, Mr. Sharp," replied a young man, who was stationed near +some complicated apparatus, while the questioner, a dark man, with a +nervous manner, leaned over a large tank.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to turn on the gas now," went on the man. "Look out for +yourself. I'm not sure what may happen."</p> + +<p>"Neither am I, but I'm ready for it. If it does explode it can't do +much damage."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope it doesn't explode. We've had so much trouble with the +airship, I trust nothing goes wrong now."</p> + +<p>"Well, turn, on the gas, Mr. Sharp," advised Tom Swift. "I'll watch +the pressure gauge, and, if it goes too high, I'll warn you, and you +can shut it off."</p> + +<p>The man nodded, and, with a small wrench in his hand, went to one end +of the tank. The youth, looking anxiously at him, turned his gaze now +and then toward a gauge, somewhat like those on steam boilers, which +gauge was attached to an aluminum, cigar-shaped affair, about five +feet long.</p> + +<p>Presently there was a hissing sound in the small frame building where +the two were conducting an experiment which meant much to them. The +hissing grew louder.</p> + +<p>"Be ready to jump," advised Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I will," answered the lad. "But the pressure is going up very slowly. +Maybe you'd better turn on more gas."</p> + +<p>"I will. Here she goes! Look out now. You can't tell what is going to +happen."</p> + +<p>With a sudden hiss, as the powerful gas, under pressure, passed from +the tank, through the pipes, and into the aluminum container, the hand +on the gauge swept past figure after figure on the dial.</p> + +<p>"Shut it off!" cried Tom quickly. "It's coming too fast! Shut her +off!"</p> + +<p>The man sprang to obey the command, and, with nervous fingers, sought +to fit the wrench over the nipple of the controlling valve. Then his +face seemed to turn white with fear.</p> + +<p>"I can't move it!" Mr. Sharp yelled. "It's jammed! I can't shut off +the gas! Run! Look out! She'll explode!"</p> + +<p>Tom Swift, the young inventor, whose acquaintance some of you have +previously made, gave one look at the gauge, and seeing that the +pressure was steadily mounting, endeavored to reach, and open, a stop- +cock, that he might relieve the strain. One trial showed him that the +valve there had jammed too, and catching up a roll of blue prints the +lad made a dash for the door of the shop. He was not a second behind +his companion, and hardly had they passed out of the structure before +there was a loud explosion which shook the building, and shattered all +the windows in it.</p> + +<p>Pieces of wood, bits of metal, and a cloud of sawdust and shavings +flew out of the door after the man and the youth, and this was +followed by a cloud of yellowish smoke.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt, Tom?" cried Mr. Sharp, as he swung around to look back +at the place where the hazardous experiment had been conducted.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit! How about you?"</p> + +<p>"I'm all right. But it was touch and go! Good thing you had the gauge +on or we'd never have known when to run. Well, we've made another +failure of it," and the man spoke somewhat bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Mr. Sharp," went on Tom Swift. "I think it will be the +last mistake. I see what the trouble is now; and know how to remedy +it. Come on back, and we'll try it again; that is if the tank hasn't +blown up."</p> + +<p>"No, I guess that's all right. It was the aluminum container that went +up, and that's so light it didn't do much damage. But we'd better wait +until some of those fumes escape. They're not healthy to breathe."</p> + +<p>The cloud of yellowish smoke was slowly rolling away, and the man and +lad were approaching the shop, which, in spite of the explosion that +had taken place in it, was still intact, when an aged man, coming from +a handsome house not far off, called out, "Tom, is anyone hurt?"</p> + +<p>"No, dad. We're all right."</p> + +<p>"What happened?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we had another explosion. We can't seem to get the right +mixture of the gas, but I think we've had the last of our bad luck. +We're going to try it again. Up to now the gas has been too strong, +the tank too weak, or else our valve control is bad."</p> + +<p>"Oh dear, Mr. Swift! Do tell them to be careful!" a woman's voice +chimed in. "I'm sure something dreadful will happen! This is about the +tenth time something has blown up around here, and-"</p> + +<p>"It's only the ninth, Mrs. Baggert," interrupted Tom, somewhat +indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Well, goodness me! Isn't nine almost as bad as ten? There I was, just +putting my bread in the oven," went on Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, +"and I was so startled that I dropped it, and now the dough is all +over the kitchen floor. I never saw such a mess."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," answered the youth, trying not to laugh. "We'll see that +it doesn't happen again."</p> + +<p>"Yes; that's what you always say," rejoined the motherly-looking +woman, who looked after the interests of Mr. Swift's home.</p> + +<p>"Well, we mean it this time," retorted the lad. "We see where our +mistake was; don't we. Mr. Sharp?"</p> + +<p>"I think so," replied the other seriously.</p> + +<p>"Come on back, and we'll see what damage was done," proposed Tom. +"Maybe we can rig up another container, mix some fresh gas, and make +the final experiment this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Now do be careful," cautioned Mr. Swift, the aged inventor, once +more. "I'm afraid you two have set too hard a task for yourselves this +time."</p> + +<p>"No we haven't, dad," answered his son. "You'll see us yet skimming +along above the clouds."</p> + +<p>"Humph! If you go above the clouds I shan't be very likely to see you. +But go slowly, now. Don't blow the place up again."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift went into the house, followed by Mrs. Baggert, who was +loudly bewailing the fate of her bread. Tom and Mr. Sharp started +toward the shop where they had been working. It was one of several +buildings, built for experimental purposes and patent work by Mr. +Swift, near his home.</p> + +<p>"It didn't do so very much damage," observed Tom, as he peered in +through a window, void of all the panes of glass. "We can start right +in."</p> + +<p>"Hold on! Wait! Don't try it now!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp, who talked in +short, snappy sentences, which, however, said all he meant. "The fumes +of that gas aren't good to breathe. Wait, until they have blown away. +It won't be long. It's safer."</p> + +<p>He began to cough, choking from the pungent odor, and Tom felt an +unpleasant tickling sensation in his throat.</p> + +<p>"Take a walk around," advised Mr. Sharp. "I'll be looking over the +blue prints. Let's have 'em."</p> + +<p>Tom handed over the roll he had grabbed up when he ran from the shop, +just before the explosion took place, and, while his companion spread +them out on his knee, as he sat on an upturned barrel, the lad walked +toward the rear of the large yard. It was enclosed by a high board +fence, with a locked gate, but Tom, undoing the fastenings, stepped +out into a broad, green meadow at the rear of his father's property. +As he did so he saw three boys running toward him.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" exclaimed our hero. "There are Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and +Pete Bailey. I wonder what they're heading this way for?"</p> + +<p>On the trio came, increasing their pace as they caught sight of Tom. +Andy Foger, a red-haired and squint-eyed lad, a sort of town bully, +with a rich and indulgent father, was the first to reach the young +inventor.</p> + +<p>"How-how many are killed?" panted Andy.</p> + +<p>"Shall we go for doctors?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"Can we see the place?" blurted out Pete, and he had to sit down on +the grass, he was so winded.</p> + +<p>"Killed? Doctors?" repeated Tom, clearly much puzzled. "What are you +fellows driving at, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Wasn't there a lot of people killed in the explosion we heard?" +demanded Andy, in eager tones.</p> + +<p>"Not a one," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>"There was an explosion!" exclaimed Pete. "We heard it, and you can't +fool us!"</p> + +<p>"And we saw the smoke," added Snedecker.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there was a small explosion," admitted Tom, with a smile, "but +no one was killed; or even hurt. We don't have such things happen in +our shops."</p> + +<p>"Nobody killed?" repeated Andy questioningly, and the disappointment +was evident in his tones.</p> + +<p>"Nobody hurt?" added Sam, his crony, and he, too, showed his chagrin.</p> + +<p>"All our run for nothing," continued Pete, another crony, in disgust.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" demanded the red-haired lad, as if he had a right to +know. "We were walking along the lake road, and we heard an awful +racket. If the police come out here, you'll have to tell what it was, +Tom Swift." He spoke defiantly.</p> + +<p>"I've no objection to telling you or the police," replied Tom. "There +was an explosion. My friend, Mr. Sharp, the balloonist, and I were +conducting an experiment with a new kind of gas, and it was too +strong, that's all. An aluminum container blew up, but no particular +damage was done. I hope you're satisfied."</p> + +<p>"Humph! What you making, anyhow?" demanded Andy, and again he spoke as +if he had a right to know.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that it's any of your business," Tom came back at him +sharply, "but, as everyone will soon know, I may as well tell you. +We're building an airship."</p> + +<p>"An airship?" exclaimed Sam and Pete in one breath.</p> + +<p>"An airship?" queried Andy, and there was a sneer in his voice. "Well, +I don't think you can do it, Tom Swift! You'll never build an airship; +even if you have a balloonist to help you!"</p> + +<p>"I won't, eh?" and Tom was a trifle nettled at the sneering manner of +his rival.</p> + +<p>"No, you won't! It takes a smarter fellow than you are to build an +airship that will sail. I believe I could beat you at it myself."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you think you could?" asked Tom, and this time he had mastered +his emotions. He was not going to let Andy Foger make him angry. +"Maybe you can beat me at racing, too?" he went on. "If you think so, +bring out your Red Streak and I'll try the Arrow against her. I beat +you twice, and I can do it again!"</p> + +<p>This unexpected taunt disconcerted Andy. It was the truth, for, more +than once had Tom, in his motor-boat, proved more than a match for the +squint-eyed bully and his cronies.</p> + +<p>"Go back at him, Andy," advised Sam, ire low voice. "Don't take any of +his guff!"</p> + +<p>"I don't intend to," spluttered Andy. "Maybe you did beat me in the +races, because my motor wasn't working right," he conceded, "but you +can't do it again. Anyhow, that's got nothing to do with an airship. +I'll bet you can't make one!"</p> + +<p>"I don't bet," replied Tom calmly, "but if you wait a few weeks you'll +see me in an airship, and then, if you want to race the Red Streak +against that, I'll accommodate you. Or, if you want to enter into a +competition to build a dirigible balloon or an aeroplane I'm willing."</p> + +<p>"Huh! Think you're smart, don't you? Just because you helped save that +balloonist from being killed when his balloon caught fire," went on +Andy, for want of something better to say. "But you'll never build an +airship!"</p> + +<p>"Of course he won't!" added Sam and Pete, bound to side with their +crony, to whom they were indebted for many automobile and motor-boat +rides.</p> + +<p>"Just wait," advised Tom, with a tantalizing smile. "Meanwhile, if you +want to try the Red Streak against the Arrow, I'm willing. I have an +hour or so to spare."</p> + +<p>"Aw, keep still!" muttered Andy, much discomfited, for the defeat of +his speedy boat, by a much smaller and less powerful one, was a sore +point with him. "You just wait, that's all. I'll get even with you!"</p> + +<p>"Look here!" cried Tom, suddenly. "You always say that whenever I get +the best of you. I'm sick of hearing it. I consider that a threat, and +I don't like it. If you don't look out, Andy Foger, you'll have +trouble with me, and at no very distant date!"</p> + +<p>Tom, with flashing eyes, and clenched fists, took a step forward. Andy +shrank back.</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid of him," advised Sam. "We'll stand by you, Andy."</p> + +<p>"I ain't afraid," muttered the red-haired lad, but it was noticed that +he shuffled off. " You just wait, I'll fix you," he added to Tom. The +bully was plainly in a rage.</p> + +<p>The young inventor was about to reply, and, possibly would have made a +more substantial rejoinder to Andy than mere words, when the gate +opened, and Mr. Sharp stepped out.</p> + +<p>"The fumes have all cleared away, Tom," he said. "We can go in the +shop, now."</p> + +<p>Without further notice of Andy Foger, Tom Swift turned aside, and +followed the aeronaut into the enclosed yard.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_2___Ned_Sees_Mysterious_Men" id="Chapter_2___Ned_Sees_Mysterious_Men" />Chapter 2 - Ned Sees Mysterious Men</h2> + + + +<p>"Who were those fellows?" asked the balloonist, of his companion.</p> + +<p>"Oh, some chaps who think we'll never build our airship, Mr. Sharp. +Andy Foger, and his crowd."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll show them whether we will or not," rejoined the man. +"I've just thought of one point where we made a mistake. Your father +suggested it to me. We need a needle valve in the gas tank. Then we +can control the flow of vapor better."</p> + +<p>"Of course!" cried Tom. "Why didn't I think of that? Let's try it." +And the pair hurried into the machine shop, eager to make another +test, which they hoped would be more successful.</p> + +<p>The young inventor, for Tom Swift was entitled to that title, having +patented several machines, lived with his father, Barton Swift, on the +outskirts of the small town of Shopton, in New York State. Mr. Swift +was quite wealthy, having amassed a considerable fortune from several +of his patents, as he was also an inventor. Tom's mother had been dead +since he was a small child, and Mrs. Baggert kept house for the +widower and his son. There was also, in their household, an aged +engineer, named Garret Jackson, who attended to the engine and boilers +that operated machinery and apparatus in several small shops that +surrounded the Swift homestead; for Mr. Swift did most of his work at +home.</p> + +<p>As related in the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and +His Motor-Cycle," the lad had passed through some strenuous +adventures. A syndicate of rich men, disappointed in a turbine motor +they had acquired from a certain inventor, hired a gang of scoundrels +to get possession of a turbine Mr. Swift had invented. Just before +they made the attempt, however, Tom became possessed of a motor-cycle. +It had belonged to a wealthy man, Mr. Wakefield Damon, of Waterford, +near Lake Carlopa, which body of water adjoined the town of Shopton; +but Mr. Damon had two accidents with the machine, and sold it to Tom +cheap. Tom was riding his motorcycle to Albany, to deliver his +father's model of the turbine motor to a lawyer, in order to get a +patent on it, when he was attacked by the gang of bad men. These +included Ferguson Appleson, Anson Morse, Wilson Featherton, alias +Simpson, Jake Burke, alias Happy Harry, who sometimes masqueraded as a +tramp, and Tod Boreck, alias Murdock. These men knocked Tom +unconscious, stole the valuable model and some papers, and carried the +youth away in their automobile.</p> + +<p>Later the young inventor, following a clue given him by Eradicate +Sampson, an aged colored man, who, with his mule, Boomerang, went +about the country doing odd jobs, got on the trail of the thieves in a +deserted mansion in the woods at the upper end of the lake. Our hero, +with the aid of Mr. Damon, and some friends of the latter, raided the +old house, but the men escaped.</p> + +<p>In the second book of the series, called "Tom Swift and His Motor- +Boat," there was related the doings of the lad, his father and his +chum, Ned Newton, on Lake Carlopa. Tom bought at auction, a motor-boat +the thieves had stolen and damaged, and, fixing it up, made a speedy +craft of it so speedy, in fact that it beat the racing-boat Red +Streak-owned by Andy Foger. But Tom did more than race in his boat. He +took his father on a tour for his health, and, during Mr. Swift's +absence from home, the gang of bad men stole some of the inventor's +machinery. Tom set out after them in his motor boat, but the +scoundrels even managed to steal that, hoping to get possession of a +peculiar and mysterious treasure in it, and Tom had considerable +trouble.</p> + +<p>Among other things he did when he had his craft, was to aid a Miss +Mary Nestor, who, in her cousin's small boat, the Dot, was having +trouble with the engine, and you shall hear more of Miss Nestor +presently, for she and Tom became quite friendly. Events so shaped +themselves that Andy Foger was glad to loan Tom the Red Streak in +which to search for the stolen Arrow, and it was in the later craft +that Tom, his father and Ned Newton had a most thrilling adventure.</p> + +<p>They were on their way down the lake when, in the air overhead they +saw a balloon on fire, with a man clinging to the trapeze. They +managed to save the fellow's life, after a strenuous endeavor. The +balloonist, John Sharp, was destined to play quite a part in Tom's +life.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp was more than an aeronaut-he was the inventor of an airship- +that is, he had plans drawn for the more important parts, but he had +struck a "snag of clouds," as he expressed it, and could not make the +machine work. His falling in with Mr. Swift and his son seemed +providential, for Tom and his father were at once interested in the +project for navigating the upper air. They began a study of Mr. +Sharp's plans, and the balloonist was now in a fair way to have the +difficulty solved.</p> + +<p>His airship was, primarily an aeroplane, but with a sustaining +aluminum container, shaped like a cigar, and filled with a secret gas, +made partly of hydrogen, being very light and powerful. It was testing +the effect of this gas on a small model of the aluminum container that +the explosion, told of in the first chapter, occurred. In fact it was +only one of several explosions, but, as Tom said, all the while they +were eliminating certain difficulties, until now the airship seemed +almost a finished thing. But a few more details remained to be worked +out, and Mr. Swift and his son felt that they could master these.</p> + +<p>So it was with a feeling of no little elation, that the young inventor +followed Mr. Sharp into the shop. The balloonist, it may be explained, +had been invited to live with the Swifts pending the completion of the +airship.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we'll get on the right track if we put the needle valve +in?" asked Tom, as he noted with satisfaction that the damage from the +explosion was not great.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure we will," answered the aeronaut. "Now let's make another +model container, and try the gas again."</p> + +<p>They set to work, with Mr. Swift helping them occasionally, and Garret +Jackson, the engineer, lending a hand whenever he was needed. All that +afternoon work on the airship progressed. The joint inventors of it +wanted to be sure that the sustaining gas bag, or aluminum container, +would do its work properly, as this would hold them in the air, and +prevent accidents, in case of a stoppage of the engine or propellers.</p> + +<p>The aeroplane part of the airship was all but finished, and the motor, +a powerful machine, of new design, built by Mr. Swift, was ready to be +installed.</p> + +<p>All that afternoon Tom, his father and Mr. Sharp labored in the shop. +As it grew dusk there sounded from the house the ringing of a bell.</p> + +<p>"Supper time," remarked Tom, laying aside a wrench. "I wish Mrs. +Baggert would wait about an hour. I'd have this valve nearly done, +then."</p> + +<p>But the housekeeper was evidently not going to wait, for her voice +supplemented the bell.</p> + +<p>"Supper! Sup-per!" she called. "Come now, Mr. Swift; Tom, Mr. Sharp! I +can't wait any longer! The meat and potatoes will be spoiled!"</p> + +<p>"I s'pose we'd better go in," remarked Mr. Sharp, with something of a +sigh. "We can finish to-morrow."</p> + +<p>The shop, where certain parts of the airship were being made, was +doubly locked, and Jackson, the engineer, who was also a sort of +watchman, was bidden to keep good guard, for the fear of the gang of +unscrupulous men, who had escaped from jail during a great storm, was +still in the minds of Mr. Swift and his son.</p> + +<p>"And give an occasional look in the shed, where the aeroplane is," +advised Mr. Sharp. "It wouldn't take much to damage that, now."</p> + +<p>"I'll pay particular attention to it," promised the engineer. "Don't +worry, Mr. Sharp."</p> + +<p>After supper the three gathered around the table on which were spread +out sheets of paper, covered with intricate figures and calculations, +which Mr. Swift and the balloonist went over with care. Tom was +examining some blue prints, which gave a sectional view of the +proposed ship, and was making some measurements when the bell rang, +and Mrs. Baggert ushered in Ned Newton, the most particular chum of +the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Ned!" exclaimed Tom. "I was wondering what had become of you. +Haven't seen you in a dog's age."</p> + +<p>"That's right," admitted Ned. "We've been working late nights at the +bank. Getting ready for the regular visit of the examiner, who usually +comes along about this time. Well, how are things going; and how is +the airship?" for, of course, Ned had heard of that.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pretty good. Had another explosion today, I s'pose you heard."</p> + +<p>"No, I hadn't."</p> + +<p>"I thought everyone in town had, for Andy Foger and his two cronies +were on hand, and they usually tell all they know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Andy Foger! He makes me sick! He was scooting up the street in +his auto just as I was coming in, `honking-honking' his horn to beat +the band! You'd think no one ever had an auto but him. He certainly +was going fast."</p> + +<p>"Wait until I get in our airship," predicted Tom. "Then I'll show you +what speed is!"</p> + +<p>"Do you really think it will go fast?"</p> + +<p>"Of course it will! Fast enough to catch Anson Morse and his crowd of +scoundrels if we could get on their track."</p> + +<p>"Why, I thought they were in jail," replied Ned, in some surprise. +"Weren't they arrested after they stole your boat?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and put in jail, but they managed to get out, and now they're +free to make trouble for us again."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure they're out of jail?" asked Ned, and Tom noted that his +chum's face wore an odd look.</p> + +<p>"Sure? Of course I am. But why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>Ned did not answer for a moment. He glanced at Tom's father, and the +young inventor understood. Mr. Swift was getting rather along in age, +and his long years of brain work had made him nervous. He had a great +fear of Morse and his gang, for they had made much trouble for him in +the past. Tom appreciated his chum's hesitancy, and guessed that Ned +had something to say that he did not want Mr. Swift to hear.</p> + +<p>"Come on up to my room, Ned. I've got something I want to show you," +exclaimed Tom, after a pause.</p> + +<p>The two lads left the room, Tom glancing apprehensively at his father. +But Mr. Swift was so engrossed, together with the aeronaut, in making +some calculations regarding wind pressure, that it is doubtful if +either of the men were aware that the boys had gone.</p> + +<p>"Now what is it, Ned?" demanded our hero, when they were safe in his +apartment. "Something's up. I can tell by your manner. What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's nothing at all," went on his chum. "If I had known, though +that those men had gotten out of jail, I would have paid more +attention to what I saw to-night, as I was leaving the bank to come +here."</p> + +<p>"What did you see?" demanded Tom, and his manner, which had been calm, +became somewhat excited.</p> + +<p>"Well, you know I've been helping the payingteller straighten up his +books," went on the young bank employee, "and when I came out tonight, +after working for several hours, I was glad enough to hurry away from +the `slave-den,' as I call it. I almost ran up the street, not looking +where I was going, when, just as I turned the corner, I bumped into a +man."</p> + +<p>"Nothing suspicious or wonderful in that," commented Tom. "I've often +run into people."</p> + +<p>"Wait," advised Ned. "To save myself from falling I grabbed the man's +arm. He did the same to me, and there we stood, for a moment, right +under a gas lamp. I looked down at his hands, and I saw that on the +little finger of the left one there was tattooed a blue ring, and-"</p> + +<p>"Happy Harry-the tramp!" exclaimed Tom, now much excited. "That's +where he wears a tattooed ring!"</p> + +<p>"That's what I thought you had told me," resumed Ned, "but I didn't +pay any attention to it at the time, as I had no idea that the men +were out of jail."</p> + +<p>"Well, what else happened?" inquired Tom</p> + +<p>"Not much more. I apologized to the man, and he to me, and we let go +of each other."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure about the ring on his finger?"</p> + +<p>"Positive. His hand was right in the light. But wait, that isn't all. +I hurried on, not thinking much about it, when, I saw another man step +out of the dark shadows of Peterby's grocery, just beyond the bank. +The man must have mistaken me for some one else, for he spoke to me."</p> + +<p>"What did he say?"</p> + +<p>"He asked me a question. It was: `Is there any chance to-night?' "</p> + +<p>"What did you tell him?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I was so surprised that I didn't know what to say, and, before +I could get my wits together the man had seen his mistake and hurried +on. He joined the man I had collided with, and the two skipped off in +the darkness. But not before a third man had come across the street, +from in front of the bank, and hurried off with them."</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Tom, as his chum paused.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to think," resumed Ned. "These men were certainly +acting suspiciously, and, now that you tell me the Anson Morse gang is +not locked up-well, it makes me feel that these must be some of their +crowd."</p> + +<p>"Of course they are!" declared Tom positively. "That blue ring proves +it!"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't go so far as to say that," declared Ned. "The man +certainly had a blue ring tattooed on his finger-the same finger where +you say Happy Harry had his. But what would the men be doing in this +neighborhood? They certainly have had a lesson not to meddle with any +of your things."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't believe they are after any of dad's inventions this time. +But I tell you what I do believe."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Those men are planning to rob the Shopton Bank, Ned! And I advise you +to notify the officers. That Morse gang is one of the worst in the +country," and Tom, much excited, began to pace the room, while Ned, +who had not dreamed of such an outcome to his narrative, looked +startled.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_3___Whitewashed" id="Chapter_3___Whitewashed" />Chapter 3 - Whitewashed</h2> + + + +<p>"Let's tell your father, Tom," suggested Ned, after a pause. "He'll +know what to do."</p> + +<p>"No, I'd rather not," answered the young inventor quickly. "Dad has +had trouble enough with these fellows, and I don't want him to worry +any more. Besides, he is working on a new invention, and if I tell him +about the Happy Harry gang it will take his attention from it."</p> + +<p>"What invention is he planning now?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but it's something important by the way he keeps at it. +He hardly spares time to help Mr. Sharp and me on the airship. No, +we'll keep this news from dad."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll inform the bank officials, as you suggest. If the place was +robbed they might blame me; if they found out I had seen the men a +failed to tell them."</p> + +<p>"Well, that gang would only be too glad to have the blame fall on some +one else."</p> + +<p>Tom little knew how near the truth he had come in his chance +expression, or how soon he himself was to fall under suspicion in +connection with this same band of bad men.</p> + +<p>"I'll telephone to the president on my way home," decided Ned, "and he +can notify the watchman at the bank. But do you really expect to have +your airship in shape to fly soon?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. Now that we have found out our mistake about the gas, the +rest will be easy."</p> + +<p>"I think I'd like to take a trip in one myself, if it didn't go too +high," ventured Ned.</p> + +<p>"I'll remember that, when we have ours completed," promised his chum, +"and I'll take you for a spin."</p> + +<p>The boys talked for perhaps an hour longer, mostly about the airship, +for it was the latest mechanical affair in which Tom was interested, +and, naturally, foremost in his thoughts. Then Ned went home first, +however, telephoning from Tom's house to the bank president about +having seen the suspicious men. That official thanked his young +employee, and said he would take all necessary precautions. The +telephone message was not sent until Mr. Swift was out of hearing, as +Tom was determined that his father should have no unnecessary worry +about the unscrupulous men. As it was, the news that the gang was out +of jail had caused the aged inventor some alarm.</p> + +<p>It was not without some anxiety that Tom arose the next morning, +fearing he would hear news that the bank had been broken into, but no +such alarming report circulated in Shopton. In fact having made some +inquiries that day of Ned, he learned that no trace had been seen of +the mysterious men. The police had been on the lookout, but they had +seen nothing of them.</p> + +<p>"Maybe, after all, they weren't the same ones," suggested Ned, when he +paid Tom another visit the next night.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course it's possible that they weren't," admitted the young +inventor. "I'd be very glad to think so. Even if they were, your +encounter with them may have scared them off; and that would be a good +thing."</p> + +<p>The next two weeks were busy ones for Tom and Mr. Sharp. Aided +occasionally by Mr. Swift, and with Garret Jackson, the engineer, to +lend a hand whenever needed, the aeronaut and the owner of the speedy +Arrow made considerable progress on their airship.</p> + +<p>"What is your father so busy over?" asked Mr. Sharp one day, when the +new aluminum gas holder was about completed.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Tom, with a somewhat puzzled air. "He doesn't +seem to want to talk about it, even to me. He says it will +revolutionize travel along a certain line, but whether he is working +on an airship that will rival ours, or a new automobile, I can't make +out. He'll tell us in good time. But when do you think we will finish +the-well, I don't know what to call it-I mean our aeroplane?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, in about a month now. That's so, though, we haven't a name for +it. But we'll christen it after it's completed. Now if you'll tighten +up some of those bolts I'll get the gas generating apparatus in +readiness for another test."</p> + +<p>A short description of the new airship may not be out of place now. It +was built after plans Mr. Sharp had shown to Tom and his father soon +after the thrilling rescue of the aeronaut from the blazing balloon +over Lake Carlopa. The general idea of the airship was that of the +familiar aeroplane, but in addition to the sustaining surfaces of the +planes, there was an aluminum, cigar-shaped tank, holding a new and +very powerful gas, which would serve to keep the ship afloat even when +not in motion.</p> + +<p>Two sets of planes, one above the other, were used, bringing the +airship into the biplane class. There were also two large propellers, +one in front and the other at the rear. These were carefully made, of +different layers of wood "built up" as they are called, to make them +stronger. They were eight feet in diameter, and driven by a twenty- +cylinder, air-cooled, motor, whirled around at the rate of fifteen +hundred revolutions a minute. When operated at full speed the airship +was capable of making eighty miies an hour, against a moderate wind.</p> + +<p>But if the use of the peculiarly-shaped planes and the gas container, +with the secret but powerful vapor in it were something new in airship +construction, so was the car in which the operator and travelers were +to live during a voyage. It was a complete living room, with the +engine and other apparatus, including that for generating the gas, in +a separate compartment, and the whole was the combined work of Tom and +Mr. Sharp. There were accommodations for five persons, with sleeping +berths, a small galley or kitchen, where food could be prepared, and +several easy chairs where the travelers could rest in comfort while +skimming along high in the air, as fast as the fastest railroad train.</p> + +<p>There was room enough to carry stores for a voyage of a week or more, +and enough gas could be manufactured aboard the ship, in addition to +that taken in the aluminum case before starting, to sustain the ship +for two weeks. The engine, steering apparatus, and the gas machine +were within easy reach and control of the pilot, who was to be +stationed in a small room in the "bow" of the ship. An electric stove +served to warm the interior of the car, and also provided means for +cooking the food.</p> + +<p>The airship could be launched either by starting it along the ground, +on rubber-tired wheels, as is done in the case of the ordinary +aeroplane, or it could be lifted by the gas, just as is done with a +balloon. In short there were many novel features about the ship.</p> + +<p>The gas test, which took place a few days later, showed that the young +inventor and Mr. Sharp had made no mistake this time. No explosion +followed, the needle valve controlling the powerful vapor perfectly.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Sharp, one afternoon, "I think we shall put the +ship together next week, Tom, and have a trial flight. We shall need a +few more aluminum bolts, though, and if you don't mind you might jump +on your motor-cycle and run to Mansburg for them. Merton's machine +shop ought to have some."</p> + +<p>Mansburg was the nearest large city to Shopton, and Merton was a +machinist who frequently did work for Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Tom. "I'll start now. How many will you need?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, a couple of dozen."</p> + +<p>Tom started off, wheeling his cycle from the shed where it was kept. +As he passed the building where the big frame of the airship, with the +planes and aluminum bag had been assembled, he looked in.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon be flying through the clouds on your back," he remarked, +speaking to the apparatus as if it could understand. "I guess we'll +smash some records, too, if that engine works as well when it's +installed as it does now."</p> + +<p>Tom had purchased the bolts, and was on his way back with them, when, +as he passed through one of the outlying streets of Mansburg, +something went wrong with his motor-cycle. He got off to adjust it, +finding that it was only a trifling matter, which he soon put right, +when he was aware of a man standing, observing him. Without looking up +at the man's face, the young inventor was unpleasantly aware of a +sharp scrutiny. He could hardly explain it, but it seemed as if the +man had evil intentions toward him, and it was not altogether +unexpected on Tom's part, when, looking up, he saw staring at him, +Anson Morse, the leader of the gang of men who had caused such trouble +for him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you; is it?" asked Morse, an ugly scowl on his face. "I +thought I recognized you." He moved nearer to Tom, who straightened +up, and stood leaning on his wheel.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's me," admitted the lad.</p> + +<p>"I've been looking for you," went on Morse. "I'm not done with you +yet, nor your father, either."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you?" asked Tom, trying to speak coolly, though his heart was +beating rather faster than usual. Morse had spoken in a threatening +manner, and, as the youth looked up and down the street he saw that it +was deserted; nor were there any houses near.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not," snapped the man. "You got me and my friends in a lot of +trouble, and-"</p> + +<p>"You didn't get half what you deserved!" burst out Tom, indignant at +the thought of what he and his father had suffered at the hands of the +gang. "You ought to be in jail now, instead of out; and if I could see +a policeman, I'd have you arrested for threatening me! That's against +the law!"</p> + +<p>"Huh! I s'pose you think you know lots about the law," sneered Morse. +"Well, I tell you one thing, if you make any further trouble for me, +I'll- "</p> + +<p>"I'll make all the trouble I can!" cried Tom, and he boldly faced the +angry man. "I'm not afraid of you!"</p> + +<p>"You'd better be!" and Morse spoke in a vindictive manner. "We'll get +even with you yet, Tom Swift. In fact I've a good notion now to give +you a good thrashing for what you've done."</p> + +<p>Before Tom was aware of the man's intention, Morse had stepped quickly +into the street, where the lad stood beside his wheel, and grasped him +by the shoulder. He gave Tom a vicious shake.</p> + +<p>"Take your hand off me!" cried Tom, who was hampered by having to hold +up his heavy machine.</p> + +<p>"I will when I've given you what I owe you!" retorted the scoundrel. +"I'm going to have satisfaction now if I never-"</p> + +<p>At that instant there came from down the street the sound of a +rattling and bumping. Tom looked up quickly, and saw approaching a +rattletrap of a wagon. drawn by a big, loose-jointed mule, the large +ears of which were flapping to and fro. The animal was advancing +rapidly, in response to blows and words from the colored driver, and, +before the uplifted fist of Morse could fall on Tom's head, the outfit +was opposite them.</p> + +<p>"Hold on dar, mistah! Hold on!" cried the colored man in the wagon. +"What are yo' doin' to mah friend, Mistah Swift?"</p> + +<p>"None of your business!" snapped Morse. "You drive on and let me +manage this affair if you don't want trouble! Who are you anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Why doan't yo' know me?" asked the colored man, at whom Tom looked +gratefully. "I's Eradicate Sampson, an' dish yeah am mah mule, +Boomerang. Whoa, Boomerang! I reckon yo' an' I better take a hand in +dish yeah argument."</p> + +<p>"Not unless you want trouble!" cried Morse.</p> + +<p>"I doan't mind trouble, not in de leastest," answered Eradicate +cheerfully. "Me an' Boomerang has had lots of trouble. We's used to +it. No, Mistah Man, you'd better let go ob mah friend, Mistah Swift, +if yo' doan't want trouble yo' ownse'f."</p> + +<p>"Drive on, and mind your business!" cried Morse, now unreasoningly +angry. "This is my affair," and he gave Tom a shake.</p> + +<p>Our hero was not going to submit tamely, however. He had one hand +free, and raised to strike Morse, but the latter, letting go his hold +on the lad's shoulder, grasped with that hand, the fist which the +young inventor had raised. Then, with his other hand, the scoundrel +was about to hit Tom.</p> + +<p>"Break away four him, Mistah Swift!" directed the colored man. "Yo' +can fight him, den!"</p> + +<p>"I guess he'll have his own troubles doing that," sneered Morse.</p> + +<p>"Not ef I help him," answered Eradicate promptly, as he climbed back +off the seat, into the body of his ramshackle vehicle.</p> + +<p>"Don't you interfere with me!" stormed the man.</p> + +<p>An instant later Tom broke away from his tormentor, and laid his +motor-cycle on the ground, in order to have both hands free for the +attack he felt would follow.</p> + +<p>"Ha! You think you're going to escape, do you?" cried Morse, as he +started toward Tom, his eyes blazing. "I'll show you who you're +dealing with!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, an' I reckon I'll show yo' suffin yo' ain't lookin' fer!" +suddenly cried Eradicate.</p> + +<p>With a quick motion he picked up a pail of white-wash from his wagon, +and, with sure aim, emptied the contents of the bucket over Morse, who +was rushing at Tom. The white fluid spread over the man from head to +foot, enveloping him as in a white shroud, and his advance was +instantly checked.</p> + +<p>"Dar! I reckon dat's de quickest white-washin' job I done in some +time!" chuckled Eradicate, as he grasped his long handled brush, and +clambered down from the wagon, ready for a renewal of the hostilities +on the part of Morse. "De bestest white-washin' job I done in some +time; yais, sah!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_4___A_Trial_Trip" id="Chapter_4___A_Trial_Trip" />Chapter 4 - A Trial Trip</h2> + + + +<p>There was no fear that Anson Morse would return to the attack. Blinded +by the whitewash which ran in his eyes, but which, being slaked, did +not burn him, he grouped blindly about, pawing the air with his +outstretched hands.</p> + +<p>"You wait! You wait! You'll suffer for this!" he spluttered, as soon +as he could free his mouth from the trickling fluid. Then, wiping it +from his face, with his hands, as best he could, he shook his fist at +Tom. "I'll pay you and that black rascal back!" he cried. "You wait!"</p> + +<p>"I hopes yo' pays me soon," answered Eradicate, "'case as how dat +whitewash was wuff twenty-five cents, an' I got t' go git mo' to +finish doin' a chicken coop I'm wurkin' on. Whoa, oar Boomerang. Dere +ain't goin' t' be no mo' trouble I reckon."</p> + +<p>Morse did not reply. He had been most unexpectedly repulsed, and, with +the white-wash dripping from his garments, he turned and fairly ran +toward a strip of woodland that bordered the highway at that place.</p> + +<p>Tom approached the colored man, and held out a welcoming hand.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what I'd done if you hadn't come along, Rad," the lad +said. "That fellow was desperate, and this was a lonely spot to be +attacked. Your whitewash came in mighty handy."</p> + +<p>"Yais, sah, Mistah Swift, dat's what it done. I knowed I could use it +on him, ef he got too obstreperous, an' dat's what he done. But I were +goin' to fight him wif mah bresh, ef he'd made any more trouble."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I fancy we have seen the last of him for some time," said Tom, +but he looked worried. It was evident that the Happy Harry gang was +still hanging around the neighborhood of Shopton, and the fact that +Morse was bold enough to attack our hero in broad day-light argued +that he felt little fear of the authorities.</p> + +<p>"Ef yo' wants t' catch him, Mistah Swift," went on Eradicate, "yo' kin +trace him by de whitewash what drops offen him," and he pointed to a +trail of white drops which showed the path Morse had taken.</p> + +<p>"No, the less I have to do with him the better I like it," answered +the lad. "But I can't thank you enough, Rad. You have helped me out of +difficulties several times now. You put me on the trail of the men in +the deserted mansion, you warned me of the log Andy Foger placed +across the road, and now you have saved me from Morse."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dat's nuffin, Mistah Swift. Yo' has suah done lots fo' me. +'Sides, mah mule, Boomerang, am entitled t' de most credit dish yeah +time. I were comin' down de street, on mah way t' a whitewashin' job, +when I seen yo', an yo' lickitysplit machine," for so Eradicate +designated a motorcycle. "I knowed it were yo', an' I didn't laik de +looks ob dat man. Den I see he had hold ob you, an' I t'ought he were +a burglar. So I yelled t' Boomerang t' hurry up. Now, mostly, when I +wants Boomerang t' hurry, he goes slow, an' when I wants him t' go +slow, he runs away. But dish yeah time he knowed he were comin' t' +help yo', an' he certainly did leg it, dat's what he done! He run laik +he were goin' home t' a stable full ob oats, an' dat's how I got heah +so quick. Den I t'ought ob de whitewash, an' I jest. used it."</p> + +<p>"It was the most effective weapon you could have used," said Tom, +gratefully.</p> + +<p>"Deed no, Mistah Swift, I didn't hab no weapon," spoke Eradicate +earnestly. "I ain't eben got mah razor, 'case I left it home. I didn't +hab no weapon at all. I jest used de whitewash, laik yo' seen me."</p> + +<p>"That's what I meant," answered Tom, trying not to laugh at the simple +negro's misunderstanding. "I'm ever so much obliged to you, just the +same, and here's a half dollar to pay for the whitewash."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Mistah Swift, I doan't want t' take it. I kin make mo' +whitewash."</p> + +<p>But Tom insisted, and picked up his machine to sprint for home. +Eradicate started to tell over again, how he urged Boomerang on, but +the lad had no time to listen.</p> + +<p>"But I didn't hab no weapon, Mistah Swift, no indeedy, none at all, +not even mah razor," repeated Eradicate. "Only de pail ob whitewash. +That is, lessen yo' calls mah bresh a weapon."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a sort of one," admitted Tom, with a laugh as he started +his machine. "Come around next week, Rad. We have some dirt +eradicating for you to attend to."</p> + +<p>"Deed an' I will, Mistah Swift. Eradicate is mah name, an' I +eradicates de dirt. But dat man such did look odd, wif dat pail ob +whitewash all ober him. He suah did look most extraordinarily. Gidap, +Boomerang. See if yo' can break some mo' speed records now."</p> + +<p>But the mule appeared to be satisfied with what he had done, and, as +he rode off, Tom looked back to see the colored man laboring to get +the sleepy, animal started.</p> + +<p>The lad did not tell his father of the adventure with Morse, but he +related the occurrence to Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to get hold of that scoundrel, and the others in the gang!" +exclaimed the balloonist. "I'd take him up in the airship, and drop +him down into the lake. He's a bad man. So are the others. Wonder what +they -want around here?"</p> + +<p>"That's what's puzzling me," admitted Tom. "I hope dad doesn't hear +about them or he will be sure to worry; and maybe it will interfere +with his new ideas."</p> + +<p>"He hasn't told you yet what he's engaged in inventing; has he?"</p> + +<p>"No, and I don't like to ask him. He said the other day, though, that +it would rival our airship, but in a different way."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what be meant?"</p> + +<p>"It's hard to say. But I don't believe he can invent anything that +will go ahead of our craft, even if he is my own father, and the best +one in the world," said Tom, half jokingly. "Well, I got the bolts, +now let's get to work. I'm anxious for a trial trip."</p> + +<p>"No more than I am. I want to see if my ideas will work out in +practice as well as they do in theory."</p> + +<p>For a week or more Tom and Mr. Sharp labored on the airship, with Mr. +Jackson to help them. The motor, with its twenty cylinders, was +installed, and the big aluminum holder fastened to the frame of the +planes. The rudders, one to control the elevation and depression of +the craft, and the other to direct its flight to the right or left, +were attached, and the steering wheel, as well as the levers +regulating the motor were put in place.</p> + +<p>"About all that remains to be done now," said the aeronaut one night, +as he and Tom stood in the big shed, looking at their creation, "is to +fit up the car, and paint the machine."</p> + +<p>"Can't we make a trial trip before we fit up the car ready for a long +flight?" asked the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I wouldn't like to go out without painting the ship. Some +parts of it might rust if we get into the moist, cloudy, upper +regions."</p> + +<p>"Then let's paint it to-morrow, and, as soon as it's dry we'll have a +test."</p> + +<p>"All right. I'll mix the paint the first thing in the morning."</p> + +<p>It took two days to paint the machine, for much care had to be used, +and, when it was finished Tom looked admiringly up at it.</p> + +<p>"We ought to name it," suggested Mr. Sharp, as he removed a bit of +paint from the end of the nose.</p> + +<p>"To be sure," agreed Tom. "And hold on, I have the very name for it- +Red Cloud!"</p> + +<p>"Red Cloud?" questioned Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" exclaimed Tom, with enthusiasm. "It's painted red-at least the +big, aluminum gas container is-and we hope to go above the clouds in +it. Why not Red Cloud?"</p> + +<p>"That's what it shall be!" conceded the balloonist. "If I had a bottle +of malted milk, or something like that, I'd christen it."</p> + +<p>"We ought to have a young lady to do that part," suggested Tom. "They +always have young ladies to name ships."</p> + +<p>"Were you thinking of any particular young lady?" asked Mr. Sharp +softly, and Tom blushed; as he replied</p> + +<p>"Oh no-of course that is-well—Oh, hang it, christen it yourself, and +let me alone," he finished.</p> + +<p>"Well, in the absence of Miss Mary Nestor, who, I think, would be the +best one for the ceremony," said Mr. Sharp, with a twinkle in his +eyes, "I christen thee Red Cloud," and with that he sprinkled some +water on the pointed nose of the red aluminum gas bag, for the +aeronaut and Tom were on a high staging, on a level with the upper +part of the airship.</p> + +<p>"Red Cloud it is!" cried Tom, enthusiastically. "Now, to-morrow we'll +see what it can do."</p> + +<p>The day of the test proved all that could be desired in the way of +weather. The fact that an airship was being constructed in the Swift +shops had been kept as secret as possible, but of course many in +Shopton knew of it, for Andy Foger had spread the tidings.</p> + +<p>"I hope we won't have a crowd around to see us go up," said Tom, as he +and Mr. Sharp went to the shed to get the Red Cloud in readiness for +the trial. "I shouldn't want to have them laugh at us, if we fail to +rise."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry. We'll go up all right," declared Mr. Sharp. "The only +thing I'm at all worried about is our speed. I want to go fast, but we +may not be able to until our motor gets 'tuned-up'. But we'll rise."</p> + +<p>The gas machine had already been started, and the vapor was hissing +inside the big aluminum holder. It was decided to try to go up under +the lifting power of the gas, and not use the aeroplane feature for +sending aloft the ship, as there was hardly room, around the shops, +for a good start.</p> + +<p>When enough of the vapor had been generated to make the airship +buoyant, the big doors of the shed were opened, and Tom and Mr. Sharp, +with the aid of Garret and Mr. Swift, shoved it slowly out.</p> + +<p>"There it is! There she comes!" cried several vices outside the high +fence that surrounded the Swift property. "They're going up!"</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger is in that bunch," remarked Tom with a grim smile. "I hope +we don't fail."</p> + +<p>"We won't. Don't worry," advised Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>The shouts outside the fence increased. It was evident that quite a +crowd of boys, as well as men, had collected, though it was early in +the morning. Somehow, news of the test had leaked out.</p> + +<p>The ship continued to get lighter and lighter as more gas was +generated. It was held down by ropes, fastened to stakes driven in the +ground. Mr. Sharp entered the big car that was suspended, below the +aeroplanes.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Tom," the aeronaut called. "We're almost ready to fly. Will +you come too, Mr. Swift, and Garret?"</p> + +<p>"Some other time," promised the aged inventor. "It looks as though you +were going to succeed, though. I'll wait, however, until after the +test before I venture."</p> + +<p>"How about you, Garret?" asked Tom of the engineer, as the young +inventor climbed into the car.</p> + +<p>"The ground is good enough for me," was the answer, with a smile. +"Broken bones don't mend so easily when you're past sixty-five."</p> + +<p>"But we're not going to fall!" declared Mr. Sharp. "All ready, Tom. +Cast off! Here we go!"</p> + +<p>The restraining ropes were quickly cast aside. Slowly at first, and +then with a rush, as though feeling more and more sure of herself, the +Red Cloud arose in the air like a gigantic bird of scarlet plumage. Up +and up it went, higher than the house, higher than the big shed where +it had been built, higher, higher, higher!</p> + +<p>"There she is!" cried the shrill voices of the boys in the meadow, and +the hoarser tones of the men mingled with them.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" called Tom softly to the balloonist. "We're off!" and he +waved his hand to his father and Garret.</p> + +<p>"I told you so," spoke Mr. Sharp confidently. "I'm going to start the +propellers in a minute."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear me, goodness sakes alive!" cried Mrs. Baggert, the +housekeeper, running from the house and wringing her hands. "I'm sure +they'll fall!"</p> + +<p>She looked up apprehensively, but Tom only waved his hand to her, and +threw her a kiss. Clearly he had no fears, though it was the first +time he had ever been in an airship. Mr. Sharp was as calm and +collected as an ocean captain making his hundredth trip across the +Atlantic.</p> + +<p>"Throw on the main switch," he called to our hero, and Tom, moving to +amidships in the car, did as directed. Mr. Sharp pulled several +levers, adjusted some valves, and then, with a rattle and bang, the +huge, twenty-cylinder motor started.</p> + +<p>Waiting a moment to see that it was running smoothly, Mr. Sharp +grasped the steering wheel. Then, with a quick motion he threw the two +propellers in gear. They began to whirl around rapidly.</p> + +<p>"Here we go!" cried Tom, and, sure enough, the Red Cloud, now five +hundred feet in the air, shot forward, like a boat on the water, only +with such a smooth, gliding, easy motion, that it seemed like being +borne along on a cloud.</p> + +<p>"She works! She works!" cried the balloonist. "Now to try our +elevation rudder," and, as the Red Cloud gathered speed, he tilted the +small planes which sent the craft up or down, according to the manner +in which they were tilted. The next instant the airship was pointed at +an angle toward the clouds, and shooting along at swift speed, while, +from below came the admiring cheers of the crowd of boys and men.</p> + + + +<p>Chapter 5 - Colliding With A Tower</p> + + + +<p>"She seems to work," observed Tom, looking from where he was stationed +near some electrical switches, toward Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Of course she does," replied the aeronaut. "I knew it would, but I +wasn't so sure that it would scoot along in this fashion. We're making +pretty good speed, but we'll do better when the motor gets to running +smoother."</p> + +<p>"How high up are we?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>The balloonist glanced at several gauges near the steering wheel.</p> + +<p>"A little short of three thousand feet," he answered. "Do you want to +go higher?"</p> + +<p>"No-no-I-I guess not," was Tom's answer. He halted over the works, and +his breath came in gasps.</p> + +<p>"Don't get alarmed," called Mr. Sharp quickly, noting that his +companion was in distress because of the high altitude. "That always +happens to persons who go into a thin air for the first time; just as +if you had climbed a high mountain. Breathe as slowly as you can, and +swallow frequently. That will relieve the pressure on your ear drums. +I'll send the ship lower."</p> + +<p>Tom did as he was advised, and the aeronaut, deflecting the rudder, +sent the Red Cloud on a downward slant. Tom at once felt relieved, +both because the action of swallowing equalized the pressure on the +ear drums, and because the airship was soon in a more dense +atmosphere, more like that of the earth.</p> + +<p>"How are you now?" asked the man of the lad, as the craft was again on +an even keel.</p> + +<p>"All right," replied Tom, briskly. "I didn't know what ailed me at +first."</p> + +<p>"I was troubled the same way when I first went up in a balloon," +commented Mr. Sharp. "We'll run along for a few miles, at an elevation +of about five hundred feet, and then we'll go to within a hundred feet +of the earth, and see how the Red Cloud behaves under different +conditions. Take a look below and see what you think of it."</p> + +<p>Tom looked low, through one of several plate glass windows in the +floor of the car. He gave a gasp of astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Why! We're right over Lake Carlopa!" he gasped.</p> + +<p>"Of course," admitted Mr. Sharp with a laugh. "And I'm glad to say +that we're better off than when I was last in the air over this same +body of water," and he could scarcely repress a shudder as he thought +of his perilous position in the blazing balloon, as related in detail +in "Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat."</p> + +<p>The lake was spread out below the navigators of the air like some +mirror of silver in a setting of green fields. Tom could see a winding +river, that flowed into the lake, and he noted towns, villages, and +even distant cities, interspersed here and there with broad farms or +patches of woodlands, like a bird's-eye view of a stretch of country.</p> + +<p>"This is great!" he exclaimed, with enthusiasm. "I wouldn't miss this +for the world!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you haven't begun to see things yet," replied Mr. Sharp. "Wait +until we take a long trip, which we'll do soon, as this ship is +behaving much better than I dared to hope. Well, we're five hundred +feet high now, and I'll run along at that elevation for a while."</p> + +<p>Objects on the earth became more distinct now, and Tom could observe +excited throngs running along and pointing upward. They were several +miles from Shopton, and the machinery was running smoothly; the motor, +with its many cylinders purring like a big cat.</p> + +<p>"We could have lunch, if we'd brought along anything to eat," observed +Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented his companion. "But I think we'll go back now. Your +father may be anxious. Just come here, Tom, and I'll show you how to +steer. I'm going down a short distance."</p> + +<p>He depressed the rudder, and the Red Cloud shot earthward. Then, as +the airship was turned about, the young inventor was allowed to try +his hand at managing it. He said, afterward, that it was like guiding +a fleecy cloud.</p> + +<p>"Point her straight for Shopton,". counseled Mr. Sharp, when he had +explained the various wheels and levers to the lad.</p> + +<p>"Straight she is," answered the lad, imitating a sailor's reply. "Oh, +but this is great! It beats even my motor-boat!"</p> + +<p>"It goes considerably faster, at all events," remarked Mr. Sharp. +"Keep her steady now, while I take a look at the engine. I want to be +sure it doesn't run hot."</p> + +<p>He went aft, where all the machinery in the car was located, and Tom +was left alone in the small pilot house. He felt a thrill as he looked +down at the earth beneath him, and saw the crowds of wonder-gazers +pointing at the great, red airship flying high over their heads. +Rapidly the open fields slipped along, giving place to a large city.</p> + +<p>"Rocksmond," murmured Tom, as he noted it. "We're about fifty miles +from home, but we'll soon be back in the shed at this rate. We +certainly are slipping along. A hundred and fifty feet elevation," he +went on, as he looked at a gauge. I wonder if I'll ever get used to +going several miles up in the air?"</p> + +<p>He shifted the rudder a bit, to go to the left. The Red Cloud obeyed +promptly, but, the next instant something snapped. Tom, with a +startled air, looked around. He could see nothing wrong, but a moment +later, the airship dipped suddenly toward the earth. Then it seemed to +increase its forward speed, and, a few seconds later, was rushing +straight at a tall, ornamental tower that rose from one corner of a +large building.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sharp! Mr. Sharp!" cried the lad. "Something has happened! We're +heading for that tower!"</p> + +<p>"Steer to one side!" called the balloonist.</p> + +<p>Tom tried, but found that the helm had become jammed. The horizontal +rudder would not work, and the craft was rushing nearer and nearer, +every minute, to the pile of brick and mortar.</p> + +<p>"We're going to have a collision!" shouted Tom. "Better shut off the +power!"</p> + +<p>The two propellers were whirling around so swiftly that they looked +like blurs of light. Mr. Sharp came rushing forward, and Tom +relinquished the steering wheel to him. In vain did the aeronaut try +to change the course of the airship. Then, with a shout to Tom to +disconnect the electric switch, the man turned off the power from the +motor.</p> + +<p>But it was too late. Straight at the tower rushed the Red Cloud, and, +a moment later had hit it a glancing blow, smashing the forward +propeller, and breaking off both blades. The nose of the aluminum gas +container knocked off a few bricks from the tower, and then, the ship +losing way, slowly settled to the flat roof of the building.</p> + +<p>"We're smashed!" cried Tom, with something like despair in his voice.</p> + +<p>"That's nothing! Don't worry! It might be worse! Not the first time +I've had an accident. It's only one propeller, and I can easily make +another," said Mr. Sharp, in his quick, jerky sentences. He had +allowed some of the gas to escape from the container, making the ship +less buoyant, so that it remained on the roof.</p> + +<p>The aeronaut and Tom looked from the windows of the car, to note if +any further damage had been done. They were just congratulating +themselves that the rudder marked the extent, when, from a scuttle in +the roof there came a procession of young ladies, led by an elderly +matron, wearing spectacles and having a very determined, bristling +air.</p> + +<p>"Well, I must say, this is a very unceremonious proceeding!" exclaimed +the spectacled woman. "Pray, gentlemen, to what are we indebted for +this honor?"</p> + +<p>"It was an accident, ma'am," replied Mr. Sharp, removing his hat, and +bowing. A mere accident!"</p> + +<p>"Humph! I suppose it was an accident that the tower of this building +was damaged, if not absolutely loosened at the foundations. You will +have to pay the damages!" Then turning, and seeing about two score of +young ladies behind her on the flat roof, each young lady eying with +astonishment, not unmixed with admiration, the airship, the elderly +one added: "Pupils! To your rooms at once! How dare you leave without +permission?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Miss Perkman!" exclaimed a voice, at the sound of which Tom +started. "Mayn't we see the airship? It will be useful in our natural +philosophy study!"</p> + +<p>Tom looked at the young lady who had spoken. "Mary Nestor!" he +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Tom-I mean Mr. Swift!" she rejoined. "How in the world did you get +here?"</p> + +<p>"I was going to ask you the same question," retorted the lad. "We flew +here."</p> + +<p>"Young ladies! Silence!" cried Miss Perkman, who was evidently the +principal of the school. "The idea of any one of you daring to speak +to these-these persons-without my permission, and without an +introduction! I shall make them pay heavily for damaging my seminary," +she added, as she strode toward Mr. Sharp, who, by this time, was out +of the car. "To your rooms at once!" Miss Perkman ordered again, but +not a young lady moved. The airship was too much of an attraction for +them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_6___Getting_Off_The_Roof" id="Chapter_6___Getting_Off_The_Roof" />Chapter 6 - Getting Off The Roof</h2> + + + +<p>For a few minutes Mr. Sharp was so engrossed with looking underneath +the craft, to ascertain in what condition the various planes and +braces were, that he paid little attention to the old maid school +principal, after his first greeting. But Miss Perkman was not a person +to be ignored.</p> + +<p>"I want pay for the damage to the tower of my school," she went on. "I +could also demand damages for trespassing on my roof, but I will +refrain in this case. Young ladies, will you go to your rooms?" she +demanded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please, let us stay," pleaded Mary Nestor, beside whom Tom now +stood. "Perhaps Professor Swift will lecture on clouds and air +currents and-and such things as that," the girl went on slyly, smiling +at the somewhat embarrassed lad.</p> + +<p>"Ahem! If there is a professor present, perhaps it might be a good +idea to absorb some knowledge," admitted the old maid, and, +unconsciously, she smoothed her hair, and settled her gold spectacles +straighter on her nose. "Professor, I will delay collecting damages on +behalf of the Rocksmond Young Ladies Seminary, while you deliver a +lecture on air currents," she went on, addressing herself to Mr. +Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not a professor," he said quickly. "I'm a professional +balloonist, parachute jumper. Give exhibitions at county fairs. Leap +for life, and all that sort of thing. I guess you mean my friend. He's +smart enough for a professor. Invented a lot of things. How much is +the damage?"</p> + +<p>"No professor?" cried Miss Perkman indignantly. "Why I understood from +Miss Nestor that she called some one professor."</p> + +<p>"I was referring to my friend, Mr. Swift," said Mary. "His father's a +professor, anyhow, isn't he, Tom? I mean Mr. Swift!"</p> + +<p>"I believe he has a degree, but he never uses it," was the lad's +answer.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Then I have been deceived! There is no professor present!" and +the old maid drew herself up as though desirous of punishing some one. +"Young ladies, for the last time, I order you to your rooms," and, +with a dramatic gesture she pointed to the scuttle through which the +procession had come.</p> + +<p>"Say something, Tom—I mean Mr. Swift," appealed Mary Nestor, in a +whisper, to our hero. "Can't you give some sort of a lecture? The +girls are just crazy to hear about the airship, and this ogress won't +let us. Say something!"</p> + +<p>"I-I don't know what to say," stammered Tom.</p> + +<p>But he was saved the necessity for just then several women, evidently +other teachers, came out on the roof.</p> + +<p>"Oh, an airship!" exclaimed one. "How lovely! We thought it was an +earthquake, and we were afraid to come up for quite a while. But an +airship! I've always wanted to see one, and now I have an opportunity. +It will be just the thing for my physical geography and natural +history class. Young ladies, attention, and I will explain certain +things to you."</p> + +<p>"Miss Delafield, do you understand enough about an airship to lecture +on one?" asked Miss Perkman smartly.</p> + +<p>"Enough so that my class may benefit," answered the other teacher, who +was quite pretty.</p> + +<p>"Ahem! That is sufficient, and a different matter," conceded Miss +Perkman. "Young ladies, give your undivided attention to Miss +Delafield, and I trust you will profit by what she tells you. +Meanwhile I wish to have some conversation concerning damages with the +persons who so unceremoniously visited us. It is a shame that the +pupils of the Rocksmond Seminary should be disturbed at their studies. +Sir, I wish to talk with you," and the principal pointed a long, +straight finger at Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Young ladies, attention!" called Miss Delafield. "You will observe +the large red body at the top, that is-"</p> + +<p>"I'd rather have you explain it," whispered Mary Nestor to Tom. "Come +on, slip around to the other side. May I bring a few of my friends +with me? I can't bear Miss Delafield. She thinks she knows everything. +She won't see us if we slip around."</p> + +<p>"I shall be delighted," replied Tom, "only I fear I may have to help +Mr. Sharp out of this trouble."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about me, Tom," said the balloonist, who overheard him. +"Let me do the explaining. I'm an old hand at it. Been in trouble +before. Many a time I've had to pay damages for coming down in a +farmer's corn field. I'll attend to the lady principal, and you can +explain things to the young ones," and, with a wink, the jolly +aeronaut stepped over to where Miss Perkman, in spite of her prejudice +against the airship, was observing it curiously.</p> + +<p>Glad to have the chance to talk to his young lady friend, Tom slipped +to the opposite side of the car with her and a few of her intimate +friends, to whom she slyly beckoned. There Tom told how the Red Cloud +came to be built, and of his first trip in the air, while, on the +opposite side, Miss Delafield lectured to the entire school on +aeronautics, as she thought she knew them.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp evidently did know how to "explain" matters to the irate +principal, for, in a short while, she was smiling. By this time Tom +had about finished his little lecture, and Miss Delafield was at the +end of hers. The entire school of girls was grouped about the Red +Cloud, curiously examining it, but Mary Nestor and her friends +probably learned more than any of the others. Tom was informed that +his friend had been attending the school in Rocksmond since the fall +term opened.</p> + +<p>"I little thought, when I found we were going to smash into that +tower, that you were below there, studying," said the lad to the girl.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I wasn't doing much studying," she confessed. "I had just +a glimpse of the airship through the window, and I was wondering who +was in it, when the crash came. Miss Perkman, who is nothing if not +brave, at once started for the roof, and we girls all followed her. +However, are you going to get the ship down?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it is going to be quite a job," admitted Tom ruefully. +"Something went wrong with the machinery, or this never would have +happened. As soon as Mr. Sharp has settled with your principal we'll +see what we can do."</p> + +<p>"I guess he's settled now," observed Miss Nestor. "Here he comes."</p> + +<p>The aeronaut and Miss Perkman were approaching together, and the old +maid did not seem half so angry as she had been.</p> + +<p>"You see," Mr. Sharp was saying, "it will be a good advertisement for +your school. Think of having the distinction of having harbored the +powerful airship, Red Cloud, on your roof."</p> + +<p>"I never thought of it in that light," admitted the principal. +"Perhaps you are right. I shall put it in my next catalog."</p> + +<p>"And, as for damages to the tower, we will pay you fifty dollars," +continued the balloonist. "Do you agree to that, Mr. Swift?" he asked +Tom. "I think your father, the professor, would call that fair."</p> + +<p>"Oh, as long as this airship is partly the property of a professor, +perhaps I should only take thirty-five dollars," put in Miss Perkman. +"I am a great admirer of professors-I mean in a strictly educational +sense," she went on, as she detected a tendency on the part of some of +the young ladies to giggle.</p> + +<p>"No, fifty dollars will be about right," went on Mr. Sharp, pulling +out a well-filled wallet. "I will pay you now."</p> + +<p>"And if you will wait I will give you a receipt," continued the +principal, evidently as much appeased at the mention of a professor's +title, as she was by the money.</p> + +<p>"We're getting off cheap," the balloonist whispered to Tom, as the +head of the seminary started down the scuttle to the class-rooms +below.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's easier getting out of that difficulty than it will be to +get off the roof," replied the lad.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry. Leave that to me," the aeronaut said. It took +considerable to ruffle Mr. Sharp. .</p> + +<p>With a receipt in full for the damage to the tower, and expressing the +hope that, some day, in the near future, Professor Swift would do the +seminary the honor of lecturing to the young lady pupils, Miss Perkman +bade Mr. Sharp and Tom good-by.</p> + +<p>"Young ladies, to your rooms!" she commanded. "You have learned enough +of airships, and there may be some danger getting this one off the +roof."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you like to stay and take a ride in it?" Tom asked Miss +Nestor.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I would," she answered daringly. "It's better than a motor- +boat. May I?"</p> + +<p>"Some day, when we get more expert in managing it," he replied, as he +shook hands with her.</p> + +<p>"Now for some hard work," went on the young inventor to Mr. Sharp, +when the roof was cleared of the last of the teachers and pupils. But +the windows that gave a view of the airship in its odd position on the +roof were soon filled with eager faces, while in the streets below was +a great crowd, offering all manner of suggestions.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's not going to be such a task," said Mr. Sharp. "First we will +repair the rudder and the machinery, and then we'll generate some more +gas, rise and fly home."</p> + +<p>"But the broken propeller?" objected Tom.</p> + +<p>"We can fly with one, as well as we can with two, but not so swiftly. +Don't worry. We'll come out all right," and the balloonist assumed a +confident air.</p> + +<p>It was not so difficult a problem as Tom had imagined to put the +machinery in order, a simple break having impaired the working of the +rudder. Then the smashed propeller was unshipped and the gas machine +started. With all the pupils watching from windows, and a crowd +observing from the streets and surrounding country, for word of the +happening had spread, Tom and his friend prepared to ascend.</p> + +<p>They arose as well as they had done at the shed at home, and in a +little while, were floating over the school. Tom fancied he could +observe a certain hand waving to him, as he peered from the window of +the car-a hand in one of the school casements, but where there were so +many pretty girls doing the same thing, I hardly see how Tom could +pick out any certain one, though he had extraordinarily good eyesight. +However, the airship was now afloat and, starting the motor, Mr. Sharp +found that even with one propeller the Red Cloud did fairly well, +making good speed.</p> + +<p>"Now for home, to repair everything, and we'll be ready for a longer +trip," the aeronaut said to the young inventor, as they turned around, +and headed off before the wind, while hundreds below them cheered.</p> + +<p>"We ought to carry spare propellers if we're going to smash into +school towers," remarked Tom. "I seem to be a sort of hoodoo."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! It wasn't your fault at all," commented Mr. Sharp warmly. +"It would have happened to me had I been steering. But we will take an +extra propeller along after this."</p> + +<p>An hour later they arrived in front of the big shed and the Red Cloud +was safely housed. Mr. Swift was just beginning to get anxious about +his son and his friend, and was glad to welcome them back.</p> + +<p>"Now for a big trip, in about a week!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp +enthusiastically. "You'll come with us, won't you, Mr. Swift?"</p> + +<p>The inventor slowly shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Not on a trip," he said. "I may go for a trial spin with you, but +I've got too important a matter under way to venture on a long trip," +and he turned away without explaining what it was. But Tom and Mr. +Sharp were soon to learn.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_7___Andy_Tries_a_Trick" id="Chapter_7___Andy_Tries_a_Trick" />Chapter 7 - Andy Tries a Trick</h2> + + + +<p>Without loss of time the young inventor and the aeronaut began to +repair the damage done to the Red Cloud by colliding with the tower. +The most important part to reconstruct was the propeller, and Mr. +Sharp decided to make two, instead of one, in order to have an extra +one in case of future accidents.</p> + +<p>Tom's task was to arrange the mechanism so that, hereafter, the rudder +could not become jammed, and so prevent the airship from steering +properly. This the lad accomplished by a simple but effective device +which, when the balloonist saw it, caused him to compliment Tom.</p> + +<p>"That's worth patenting," he declared. "I advise you to take out +papers on that."</p> + +<p>"It seems such a simple thing," answered the youth. "And I don't see +much use of spending the money for a patent. Airships aren't likely to +be so numerous that I could make anything off that patent."</p> + +<p>"You take my advice," insisted Mr. Sharp. "Airships are going to be +used more in the future than you have any idea of. You get that device +patented."</p> + +<p>Tom did so, and, not many years afterward he was glad that he had, as +it brought him quite an income.</p> + +<p>It required several days' work on the Red Cloud before it was in shape +for another trial. During the hours when he was engaged in the big +shed, helping Mr. Sharp, the young inventor spent many minutes calling +to mind the memory of a certain fair face, and I think I need not +mention any names to indicate whose face it was.</p> + +<p>"She promised to go for a ride with me," mused the lad. "I hope she +doesn't back out. But I'll want to learn more about managing the ship +before I venture with her in it. It won't do to have any accidents +then. There's Ned Newton, too. I must take him for a skim in the +clouds. Guess I'll invite him over some afternoon, and give him a +private view of the machine, when we get it in shape again."</p> + +<p>About a week after the accident at the school Mr. Sharp remarked to +Tom one afternoon</p> + +<p>"If the weather is good to-morrow, we'll try another flight. Do you +suppose your father will come along?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered the lad. "He seems much engrossed in +something. It's unusual, too, for he most generally tells me what he +is engaged upon. However, I guess he will say something about it when +he gets ready."</p> + +<p>"Well, if he doesn't feel just like coming, don't argue him. He might +be nervous, and, while the ship is new, I don't want any nervous +passengers aboard. I can't give them my attention and look after the +running of the machinery."</p> + +<p>"I was going to propose bringing a friend of mine over to see us make +the trip to-morrow," went on the young inventor. "Ned Newton, you know +him. He'd like a ride."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess Ned's all right. Let him come along. We won't go very +high to-morrow. After a trial rise by means of the gas, I'm going to +lower the ship to the ground, and try for an elevation by means of the +planes. Oh, yes, bring your friend along."</p> + +<p>Ned Newton was delighted the next day to receive Tom's invitation, +and, though a little dubious about trusting himself in an airship for +the first time, finally consented to go with his chum. He got a half +holiday from the bank, and, shortly after dinner went to Tom's house.</p> + +<p>"Come on out in the shed and take a look at the Red Cloud," proposed +the young inventor. "Mr. Sharp isn't quite ready to start yet, and +I'll explain some things to you."</p> + +<p>The big shed was deserted when the lads entered, and went to the loft +where they were on a level with the big, red aluminum tank. Tom began +with a description of the machinery, and Ned followed him with +interest.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll go down into the car or cabin," continued the young +navigator of the air, "and I'll show you what we do when we're touring +amid the clouds."</p> + +<p>As they started to descend the flight of steps from the loft platform, +a noise on the ground below attracted their attention.</p> + +<p>"Guess that's Mr. Sharp coming," said Ned.</p> + +<p>Tom leaned over and looked down. An instant later he grasped the arm +of his chum, and motioned to him to keep silent.</p> + +<p>"Take a look," whispered the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" exclaimed Ned, peering over the railing.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey are with him. They sneaked in +when I left the door open. Wonder what they want?"</p> + +<p>"Up to some mischief, I'll wager," commented Ned. "Hark! They're +talking."</p> + +<p>The two lads on the loft listened intently. Though the cronies on the +ground below them did not speak loudly, their voices came plainly to +the listeners.</p> + +<p>"Let's poke a hole in their gas bag," proposed Sam. "That will make +them think they're not so smart as they pretend."</p> + +<p>"Naw, we can't do that," answered Andy.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" declared Pete.</p> + +<p>"Because the bag's away up in the top part of the shed, and I'm not +going to climb up there."</p> + +<p>"You're afraid," sneered Sam.</p> + +<p>"I am not! I'll punch your face if you say that again! Besides the +thing that holds the gas is made of aluminum, and we can't make a hole +in it unless we take an axe, and that makes too much noise."</p> + +<p>"We ought to play some sort of a trick on Tom Swift," proposed Pete. +"He's too fresh!"</p> + +<p>Tom shook his fist at the lads on the ground, but of course they did +not see him.</p> + +<p>"I have it!" came from Andy.</p> + +<p>"What?" demanded his two cronies.</p> + +<p>"We'll cut some of the guy wires from the planes and rudders. That +will make the airship collapse. They'll think the wires broke from the +strain. Take out your knives and saw away at the wires. Hurry, too, or +they may catch us."</p> + +<p>"You're caught now," whispered Ned to Tom. "Come on down, and give 'em +a trouncing."</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated. He looked quickly about the loft, and then a smile +replaced the frown of righteous anger on his face.</p> + +<p>"I have a better way," he said.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"See that pile of dirt?" and he pointed to some refuse that had been +swept up from the floor of the loft. Ned nodded. "It consists of a lot +of shavings, sawdust and, what's more, a lot of soot and lampblack +that we used in mixing some paint. We'll sweep the whole pile down on +their heads, and make them wish they'd stayed away from this place."</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Ned, chuckling. "Give me a broom. There's another +one for you."</p> + +<p>The two lads in the loft peered down. The red-headed, squint-eyed +bully and his chums had their knives out, and were about to cut some +of the important guy wires, when, at a signal from Tom, Ned, with a +sweep of his broom, sent a big pile of the dirt, sawdust and lampblack +down upon the heads of the conspirators. The young inventor did the +same thing, and for an instant the lower part of the shed looked as if +a dirtstorm had taken place there. The pile of refuse went straight +down on the heads of the trio, and, as they were looking up, in order +to see to cut the wires, they received considerable of it in their +faces.</p> + +<p>In an instant the white countenances of the lads were changed to +black-as black as the burnt-cork performers in a minstrel show. Then +came a series of howls.</p> + +<p>"Wow! Who did that!"</p> + +<p>"I'm blinded! The shed is falling down!"</p> + +<p>"Run fellows, run!" screamed Andy. "There's been an explosion. We'll +be killed!"</p> + +<p>At that moment the big doors of the shed were thrown open, and Mr. +Sharp came in. He started back in astonishment at the sight of the +three grotesque figures, their faces black with the soot, and their +clothes covered with sawdust and shavings, rushing wildly around.</p> + +<p>"That will teach you to come meddling around here. Andy Roger!" cried +Tom.</p> + +<p>"I-I-you-you-Oh, wait-I-you-" spluttered the bully, almost speechless +with rage. Sam and Pete were wildly trying to wipe the stuff from +their faces, but only made matters worse. They were so startled that +they did not know enough to run out of the opened doors.</p> + +<p>"Wish we had some more stuff to put on 'em," remarked Ned, who was +holding his sides that ached from laughter.</p> + +<p>"I have it!" cried Tom, and he caught up a bucket of red paint, that +had been used to give the airship its brilliant hue. Running to the +end of the loft Tom stood for an instant over the trio of lads who +were threatening and imploring by 'turns.</p> + +<p>"Here's another souvenir of your visit," shouted the young inventor, +as he dashed the bucket of red paint down on the conspirators. This +completed the work of the dirt and soot, and a few seconds later, each +face looking like a stage Indian's ready for the war-path, the trio +dashed out. They shed shavings, sawdust and lampblack at every step, +and from their clothes and hands and faces dripped the carmine paint.</p> + +<p>"Better have your pictures taken!" cried Ned, peering from an upper +window.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and send us one," added Tom, joining his chum. Andy looked up at +them. He dug a mass of red paint from his left ear, removed a mass of +soot from his right cheek, and, shaking his fist, which was +alternately striped red and black, cried out in a rage</p> + +<p>"I'll get even with you yet, Tom Swift!"</p> + +<p>"You only got what was coming to you," retorted the young inventor. +"The next time you come sneaking around this airship, trying to damage +it, you'll get worse, and I'll have you arrested. You've had your +lesson, and don't forget it."</p> + +<p>The red-haired bully, doubly red-haired now, had nothing more to say. +There was nothing he could say, and, accompanied by his companions, he +made a bee-line for the rear gate in the fence, and darted across the +meadow. They were all sorry enough looking specimens, but solely +through their own fault.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_8___Winning_a_Prize" id="Chapter_8___Winning_a_Prize" />Chapter 8 - Winning a Prize</h2> + + + +<p>"Well, Tom, what happened?" asked Mr. Sharp, as he saw the trio +running away. "Looks as if you had had an exciting time here."</p> + +<p>"No, those fellows had all the excitement," declared Ned. "We had the +fun." And the two lads proceeded to relate what had taken place.</p> + +<p>"Tried to damage the airship, eh?" asked Mr. Sharp. "I wish I'd caught +them at it; the scoundrels! But perhaps you handled them as well as I +could have done."</p> + +<p>"I guess so," assented Tom. "I must see if they did cut any of the +wires."</p> + +<p>But the young inventor and his chum had acted too quickly, and it was +found that nothing, had been done to the Red Cloud.</p> + +<p>A little later the airship was taken out of the shed, and made ready +for a trip. The gas ascension was first used, and Ned and Mr. Swift +were passengers with Tom and Mr. Sharp. The machine went about a +thousand feet up in the air, and then was sent in various directions, +to the no small delight of a large crowd that gathered in the meadow +back of the Swift property; for it only required the sight of the +airship looming its bulk above the fence and buildings, to attract a +throng. It is safe to say this time, however, that Andy Foger and his +cronies were not in the audience. They were probably too busy removing +the soot and red paint.</p> + +<p>Although it was the first time Mr. Swift had ever been in an airship, +he evinced no great astonishment. In fact he seemed to be thinking +deeply, and on some subject not connected with aeronautics. Tom +noticed the abstraction of his father, and shook his head. Clearly the +aged inventor was not his usual self.</p> + +<p>As for Ned Newton his delight knew no bounds, At first he was a bit +apprehensive as the big ship went higher and higher, and swung about, +but he soon lost his fear, and enjoyed the experience as much as did +Tom. The young inventor was busy helping Mr. Sharp manage the +machinery, rudders-planes and motor.</p> + +<p>A flight of several miles was made, and Tom was wishing they might pay +another visit to the Rocksmond Seminary, but Mr. Sharp, after +completing several evolutions, designed to test the steering qualities +of the craft, put back home.</p> + +<p>"We'll land in the meadow and try rising by the planes alone," he +said. In this evolution it was deemed best for Mr. Swift and Ned to +alight, as there was no telling just how the craft would behave. Tom's +father was very willing to get out, but Ned would have remained in, +only for the desire of his friend.</p> + +<p>With the two propellers whirring at a tremendous speed, and all the +gas out of the aluminum container, the Red Cloud shot forward, running +over the level ground of the meadow, where a starting course had been +laid out.</p> + +<p>"Clear the track!" cried Mr. Sharp, as he saw the crowd closing up in +front of him. The men, boys, several girls and women made a living +lane. Through this shot the craft, and then, when sufficient momentum +had been obtained, Tom, at a command from the aeronaut, pulled the +lever of the elevation rudder. Up into the air shot the nose of the +Red Cloud as the wind struck the slanting surface of the planes, and, +a moment later it was sailing high above the heads of the throng.</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff!" cried Mr. Sharp. "It works as well that way as it +does with the gas!"</p> + +<p>Higher and higher it went, and then, coming to a level keel, the craft +was sent here and there, darting about like a bird, and going about in +huge circles.</p> + +<p>"Start the gas machine, and we'll come to rest in the air," said the +balloonist, and Tom did so. As the powerful vapor filled the container +the ship acquired a bouyancy, and there was no need of going at high +speed in order to sustain it. The propellers were stopped, and the Red +Cloud floated two thousand feet in the air, only a little distance +below some fleecy, white masses from which she took her name. The +demonstration was a great success. The gas was again allowed to +escape, the propellers set in motion, and purely as an aeroplane, the +ship was again sent forward. By means of the planes and rudders a +perfect landing was made in the meadow, a short distance from where +the start had been made. The crowd cheered the plucky youth and Mr. +Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Now I'm ready to go on a long trip any time you are, Tom," said the +aeronaut that night.</p> + +<p>"We'll fit up the car and get ready," agreed the `youth. "How about +you, dad?"</p> + +<p>"Me? Oh, well-er-that is, you see; well, I'll think about it," and Mr. +Swift went to his own room, carrying with him a package of papers, +containing intricate calculations.</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head, but said nothing. He could not understand his +father's conduct.</p> + +<p>Work was started the next day on fitting up the car, or cabin, of the +airship, so that several persons could live, eat and sleep in it for +two weeks, if necessary. The third day after this task had been +commenced the mail brought an unusual communication to Tom and Mr. +Sharp. It was from an aero club of Blakeville, a city distant about a +hundred miles, and stated that a competition for aeroplanes and +dirigible balloons was to be held in the course of two weeks. The +affair was designed to further interest in the sport, and also to +demonstrate what progress had been made in the art of conquering the +air. Prizes were to be given, and the inventors of the Red Cloud, the +achievements of which the committee of arrangements had heard, were +invited to compete.</p> + +<p>"Shall we go in for it, Tom?" asked the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"I'm willing if you are."</p> + +<p>"Then let's do it. We'll see how our craft shows up alongside of +others. I know something of this club. It is all right, but the +carnival is likely to be a small one. Once I gave a balloon exhibition +for them. The managers are all right. Well, we'll have a try at it. +Won't do us any harm to win a prize. Then for a long trip!"</p> + +<p>As it was not necessary to have the car, or cabin, completely fitted +up in order to compete for the prize, work in that direction was +suspended for the time being, and more attention was paid to the +engine, the planes and rudders. Some changes were made and, a week +later the Red Cloud departed for Blakeville. As the rules of the +contest required three passengers, Ned Newton was taken along, Mr. +Swift having arranged with the bank president so that the lad could +have a few days off.</p> + +<p>The Red Cloud arrived at the carnival grounds in the evening, having +been delayed on the trip by a broken cog wheel, which was mended in +mid-air. As the three navigators approached, they saw a small machine +flying around the grounds.</p> + +<p>"Look!" cried Ned excitedly. "What a small airship."</p> + +<p>"That's a monoplane," declared Tom, who was getting to be quite an +expert.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the same kind that was used to cross the English Channel," +interjected Mr. Sharp. "They're too uncertain for my purposes, though; +they are all right under certain conditions."</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken than a puff of wind caused the daring manipulator +of the monoplane to swerve to one side. He had to make a quick +descent-so rapid was it, in fact, that the tips of one of his planes +was smashed.</p> + +<p>"It'll take him a day to repair that," commented the aeronaut dryly.</p> + +<p>The Red Cloud created a sensation as she slowly settled down in front +of the big tent assigned to her. Tom's craft was easily the best one +at the carnival, so far, though the managers said other machines were +on the way.</p> + +<p>The exhibition opened the next day, but no flights were to be +attempted until the day following. Two more crafts arrived, a large +triplane, and a dirigible balloon. There were many visitors to the +ground, and Tom, Ned and Mr. Sharp were kept busy answering questions +put by those who crowded into their tent. Toward the close of the day +a fussy little Frenchman entered, and, making his way to where Tom +stood, asked</p> + +<p>"Air you ze ownair of zis machine?"</p> + +<p>"One of them," replied the lad.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Sacre! Zen I challenge you to a race. I have a monoplane zat is +ze swiftest evaire! One thousand francs will I wager you, zat I can +fly higher and farther zan you."</p> + +<p>"Shall we take him up, Mr. Sharp?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"We'll race with him, after we get through with the club entries." +decided the aeronaut. "but not for money. It's against my principles, +and I don't believe your father would like it. Racing for prizes is a +different thing."</p> + +<p>"Well, we will devote ze money to charity," conceded the Frenchman. +This was a different matter, and one to which Mr. Sharp did not +object, so it was arranged that a trial should take place after the +regular affairs.</p> + +<p>That night was spent in getting the Red Cloud in shape for the +contests of the next day. She was "groomed" until every wire was taut +and every cog, lever and valve working perfectly. Ned Newton helped +all he could. So much has appeared in the newspapers of the races at +Blakeville that I will not devote much space here to them. Suffice it +to say that the Red Cloud easily distanced the big dirigible from +which much was expected. It was a closer contest with the large +triplane, but Tom's airship won, and was given the prize, a fine +silver cup.</p> + +<p>As the carnival was a small one, no other craft in a class with the +Red Cloud had been entered, so Tom and Mr. Sharp had to be content +with the one race they won. There were other contests among monoplanes +and biplanes, and the little Frenchman won two races.</p> + +<p>"Now for ze affaire wis ze monstaire balloon of ze rouge color!" he +cried, as he alighted from his monoplane while an assistant filled the +gasolene tank. "I will in circles go around you, up and down, zis side +zen ze ozzer, and presto! I am back at ze starting place, before you +have begun. Zen charity shall be ze richair!"</p> + +<p>"All right, wait and see," said Tom, easily. But, though he showed +much confidence he asked Mr. Sharp in private, just before the +impromptu contest: "Do you think we can beat him?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said the aeronaut, shrugging his shoulders, "you can't tell +much about the air. His machine certainly goes very fast, but too much +wind will be the undoing of him, while it will only help us. And I +think," he added, "that we're going to get a breeze."</p> + +<p>It was arranged that the Red Cloud would start from the ground, +without the use of the gas, so as to make the machines more even. At +the signal off they started, the motors making a great racket. The +monoplane with the little Frenchman in the seat got up first.</p> + +<p>"Ah, ha!" he cried gaily, "I leave you in ze rear! Catch me if you +can!"</p> + +<p>"Don't let him beat us," implored Ned.</p> + +<p>"Can't you speed her up any more?" inquired Tom of Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>The aeronaut nodded grimly, and turned more gasolene into the twenty- +cylindered engine. Like a flash the Red Cloud darted forward. But the +Frenchman also increased his speed and did, actually, at first, circle +around the bigger machine, for his affair was much lighter. But when +he tried to repeat that feat he found that he was being left behind.</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff! We're winning!" yelled Tom, Ned joining in the +shout.</p> + +<p>Then came a puff of wind. The monoplane had to descend, for it was in +danger of turning turtle. Still the navigator was not going to give +up. He flew along at a lower level. Then Mr. Sharp opened up the Red +Cloud's engine at full speed, and it was the big machine which now +sailed around the other.</p> + +<p>"I protest! I protest!" cried the Frenchman, above the explosions of +his motor. "Ze wind is too strong for me!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp said nothing, but, with a queer smile on his face he sent +the airship down toward the earth. A moment later he was directly +under the monoplane. Then, quickly rising, he fairly caught the +Frenchman's machine on top of a square platform of the gas container, +the bicycle wheels of the monoplane resting on the flat surface. And, +so swiftly did the Red Cloud fly along that it carried the monoplane +with it, to the chagrin of the French navigator.</p> + +<p>"A trick! A trick!" he cried. "Eet is not fair!"</p> + +<p>Then, dropping down, Mr. Sharp allowed the monoplane to proceed under +its own power, while he raced on to the finish mark, winning, of +course, by a large margin.</p> + +<p>"Ha! A trick! I race you to-morrow and again to-morrow!" cried the +beaten Frenchman as he alighted.</p> + +<p>"No, thanks," answered Tom. "We've had enough. I guess charity will be +satisfied."</p> + +<p>The little Frenchman was a good loser, and paid over the money, which +was given to the Blakeville Hospital, the institution receiving it +gladly.</p> + +<p>At the request of the carnival committee, Mr. Sharp and Tom gave an +exhibition of high and long flights the next day, and created no +little astonishment by their daring feats.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think we have reason to be proud of our ship," remarked Mr. +Sharp that night. "We won the first contest we were ever in, and beat +that speedy monoplane, which was no small thing to do, as they are +very fast."</p> + +<p>"But wait until we go on our trip," added Tom, as he looked at the cup +they had won. He little realized what danger they were to meet with in +the flight that was before them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_9___The_Runaway_Auto" id="Chapter_9___The_Runaway_Auto" />Chapter 9 - The Runaway Auto</h2> + + + +<p>Had the inventors of the Red Cloud desired, they could have made +considerable money by giving further exhibitions at the Blakeville +Aero Carnival, and at others which were to be held in the near future +at adjoining cities. The fame of the new machine had spread, and there +were many invitations to compete for prizes.</p> + +<p>But Tom and Mr. Sharp wished to try their skill in a long flight, and +at the close of the Blakeville exhibition they started for Shopton, +arriving there without mishap, though Tom more than half hoped that +they might happen to strike the tower of a certain school. I needn't +specify where.</p> + +<p>The first thing to be done was to complete the fitting-up of the car, +or cabin. No berths had, as yet, been put in, and these were first +installed after the Red Cloud was in her shed. Then an electrical +heating and cooking apparatus was fitted in; some additional +machinery, tanks for carrying water, and chemicals for making the gas, +boxes of provisions, various measuring instruments and other supplies +were put in the proper places, until the cabin was filled almost to +its capacity. Of course particular attention had been paid to the ship +proper, and every portion was gone over until Mr. Sharp was sure it +was in shape for a long flight.</p> + +<p>"Now the question is," he said to Tom one evening, "who shall we take +with us? You and I will go, of course, but I'd like one more. I wonder +if your father can't be induced to accompany us? He seemed to like the +trial trip."</p> + +<p>"I'll ask him to-morrow," said the lad. "He's very busy to-night. If +he doesn't care about it, maybe Garret Jackson will go."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not. He's too timid."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to take Ned Newton, but he can't get any more time away from +the bank. I guess we'll have to depend on dad."</p> + +<p>But, to the surprise of Tom and Mr. Sharp, the aged inventor shook his +head when the subject was broached to him next day.</p> + +<p>"Why won't you go, dad?" asked his son.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you," replied Mr. Swift. "I was keeping it a secret until I +had made some advance in what I am engaged upon. But I don't want to +go because I am on the verge of perfecting a new apparatus for +submarine boats. It will revolutionize travel under the water, and I +don't want to leave home until I finish it. There is another point to +be considered. The government has offered a prize for an under-water +boat of a new type, and I wish to try for it."</p> + +<p>"So that's what you've been working on, eh, dad?" asked his son.</p> + +<p>"That's it, and, much as I should like to accompany you, I don't feel +free to go. My mind would be distracted, and I need to concentrate +myself on this invention. It will produce the most wonderful results, +I'm sure. Besides, the government prize is no small one. It is fifty +thousand dollars for a successful boat."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift told something more about his submarine, but, as I expect to +treat of that in another book, I will not dwell on it here, as I know +you are anxious to learn what happened on the trip of the Red Cloud.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Sharp, somewhat dubiously, "I wonder who we can +get to go? We need someone besides you and I, Tom."</p> + +<p>"I s'pose I could get Eradicate Sampson, and his mule Boomerange," +replied the lad with a smile. "Yet I don't know-"</p> + +<p>At that instant there was a tremendous racket outside. The loud +puffing of an automobile could be heard, but mingled with it was the +crash of wood, and then the whole house seemed jarred and shaken.</p> + +<p>"Is it an earthquake?" exclaimed Mr. Swift, springing to his feet, and +rushing to the library windows.</p> + +<p>"Something's happened!" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"Maybe an explosion of the airship gas!" yelled Mr. Sharp, making +ready to run to the balloon shed. But there was no need. The crashing +of wood ceased, and, above the puffing of an auto could be heard a +voice exclaiming</p> + +<p>"Bless my very existence! Bless my cats and dogs! Good gracious! But I +never meant to do this!"</p> + +<p>Tom, his father and Mr. Sharp rushed to the long, low windows that +opened on the veranda. There, on the porch, which it had mounted by +way of the steps, tearing away part of the railing, was a large +touring car; and, sitting at the steering wheel, in a dazed sort of +manner, was Mr. Wakefield Damon.</p> + +<p>"Bless my shirt studs!" he went on feebly. "But I have done it now!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried Tom, hastening up to him. "What happened? +Are you hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Hurt? Not a bit of it! Bless my moonstone!</p> + +<p>It's the most lucky escape I ever had! But I've damaged your porch, +and I haven't done my machine any good. Do you see anything of another +machine chasing me?"</p> + +<p>Tom looked puzzled, but glanced up and down, the road. Far down the +highway could be discerned a cloud of dust, and, from the midst of it +came a faint "chug-chug."</p> + +<p>"Looks like an auto down there," he said.</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness! Bless my trousers, but I've escaped 'em!" cried the +eccentric man from whom Tom had purchased his motor-cycle.</p> + +<p>"Escaped who?" asked Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Those men. They were after me. But I may as well get out and explain. +Dear me! However will I ever get my car off your porch?" and Mr. Damon +seemed quite distressed.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," answered Tom. "We can manage that. Tell us what +happened."</p> + +<p>"Exactly," replied Mr. Damon, growing calmer, "Bless my shoe buttons, +but I had a fright, two of them, in fact.</p> + +<p>"You see," he went on, "I was out partly on pleasure and partly on +business. The pleasure consisted in riding in my auto, which my +physician recommended for my health. The business consisted in +bringing to the Shopton Bank a large amount of cash. Well, I deposited +it all right, but, as I came out I saw some men hanging around. I +didn't like their looks, and I saw them eyeing me rather sharply. I +thought I had seen them before and, sure enough I had. Two of the men +belonged to that Happy Harry gang. I".</p> + +<p>Tom made a quick motion of a caution, pointing to his father, but it +was not necessary, as Mr. Swift was absently-mindedly calculating an a +piece of paper he had taken from his pocket, and had not heard what +Mr. Damon said. The latter, however, knew what Tom meant, and went on.</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't like the looks of these men, and when I saw them +sizing me up, evidently thinking I had drawn money out instead of +putting it in, I decided to give them the slip. I got in my auto, but +I was startled to see them get in their car. I headed for here, as I +was coming to pay you a visit, anyhow, and the mysterious men kept +after me. It became a regular race. I put on all the speed I could and +headed for your house, Tom, for I thought you would help me. I went +faster and faster, and so did they. They were almost up to me, and I +was just thinking of slowing down to turn in here, when I lost control +of my machine, and-well, I did turn in here, but not exactly as I +intended. Bless my gaiters! I came in with rather more of a rush than +I expected. It was awful-positively awful, I assure you. You've no +idea how nervous I was. But I escaped those scoundrels, for they +rushed on when they saw what I had done-smashed the porch railing".</p> + +<p>"Probably they thought you'd smash them," observed Tom with a laugh. +"But why did they follow you?"</p> + +<p>"Can't imagine! Haven't the least idea. Bless my spark-plug, but they +might have imagined I had money. Anyhow I'm glad I escaped them!"</p> + +<p>"It's lucky you weren't hurt," said Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Oh, me? Bless my existence! I'm always having narrow escapes." Mr. +Damon caught sight of the Red Cloud which was out in front of the big +shed. "Bless my heart! What's that?" he added.</p> + +<p>"Our new airship," answered Tom proudly. "We are just planning a long +trip in it, but we can't find a third member of the party to go +along."</p> + +<p>"A third member!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Do you really mean it?"</p> + +<p>"We do."</p> + +<p>"Bless my shoe laces! Will you take me along?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that?" asked Tom in turn, foreseeing a way out of their +difficulties.</p> + +<p>"I certainly do," answered the eccentric man. "I am much interested in +airships, and I might as well die up in the clouds as any other way. +Certainly I prefer it to being smashed up in an auto. Will you take +me?"</p> + +<p>"Of course!" cried Tom heartily, and Mr. Sharp nodded an assent. Then +Tom drew Mr. Damon to one side. "We'll arrange the trip in a few +minutes," the lad said. "Tell me more about those mysterious men, +please."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_10___A_Bag_of_Tools" id="Chapter_10___A_Bag_of_Tools" />Chapter 10 - A Bag of Tools</h2> + + + +<p>Wakefield Damon glanced at Mr. Swift. The inventor was oblivious to +his surroundings, and was busy figuring away on some paper. He seemed +even to have forgotten the presence of the eccentric autoist.</p> + +<p>"I don't want father to hear about the men," went on Tom, in a low +tone. "If he hears that Happy Harry and his confederates are in this +vicinity, he'll worry, and that doesn't agree with him. But are you +sure the men you saw are the same ones who stole the turbine model?"</p> + +<p>"Very certain," replied Mr. Damon. "I had a good view of them as I +came from the bank, and I was surprised to see them, until I +remembered that they were out of jail."</p> + +<p>"But why do you think they pursued you?"</p> + +<p>"Bless my eyes! I can't say. Perhaps they weren't after me at all. I +may have imagined it, but they certainly hurried off in their auto as +soon as I left the bank, after leaving my money there. I'm glad I +deposited it before I saw them. I was so nervous, as it was, that I +couldn't steer straight. It's too bad, the way I've damaged your +house."</p> + +<p>"That doesn't matter. But how about the trip in the airship? I hope +you meant it when you said you would go."</p> + +<p>"Of course I did. I've never traveled in the air, but it can't be much +worse than my experience with my motor-cycle and the auto. At least I +can't run up any stoop, can I?" and Mr. Damon looked at Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"No," replied the aeronaut, as he scratched his head, "I guess you'll +be safe on that score. But I hope you won't get nervous when we reach +a great height."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. I'll just calm myself with the reflection that I can't die +but once," and with this philosophical reflection Mr. Damon went back +to look at the auto, which certainly looked odd, stuck up on the +veranda.</p> + +<p>"Well, you'd better make arrangements to go with us then," went on +Tom. "Meanwhile I'll see to getting your car down. You'll want to send +it home, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No, not if you'll keep it for me. The fact is that all my folks are +away, and will be for some time. I don't have to go home to notify +them, and it's a good thing, as my wife is very nervous, and might +object, if she heard about the airship. I'll just stay here, if you've +no objection, until the Red Cloud sails, if sails is the proper term."</p> + +<p>" 'Sails' will do very well," answered Mr. Sharp. "But, Tom, let's see +if you and I can't get that car down. Perhaps Mr. Damon would like to +go in the house and talk to your father," for Mr. Swift had left the +piazza.</p> + +<p>The eccentric individual was glad enough not to be on hand when his +car was eased down from the veranda and disappeared into the house. +Tom and Mr. Sharp, with the aid of Garret Jackson, then released the +auto from its position. They had to take down the rest of the broken +railing, and their task was easy enough. The machine was stored in a +disused shed, and Mr. Damon had no further concern until it was time +to undertake the trip through the air.</p> + +<p>"It will fool those men if I mysteriously disappear," he said, with a +smile. "Bless my hat band, but they'll wonder what became of me. We'll +just slip off in the Red Cloud, and they'll never be the wiser."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," commented Tom. "I fancy they are keeping +pretty close watch in this vicinity, and I don't like it. I'm afraid +they are up to some mischief. I should think the bank authorities +would have them locked upon suspicion. I think I'll telephone Ned +about it."</p> + +<p>He did so, and his chum, in turn, notified the bank watchman. But the +next day it was reported that no sign of the men had been seen, and, +later it was learned that an auto, answering the description of the +one they were in, had been seen going south, many miles from Shopton.</p> + +<p>The work of preparing the Red Cloud for the long trip was all but +completed. It had been placed back in the shed while a few more +adjustments were made to the machinery.</p> + +<p>"Bless my eyelashes!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, a few days before the one +set for the start, "but I haven't asked where we are bound for. Where +are we going, anyhow, Mr. Sharp?"</p> + +<p>"We're going to try and reach Atlanta, Georgia," replied the +balloonist. "That will make a fairly long trip, and the winds at this +season are favorable in that direction."</p> + +<p>"That suits me all right," declared Mr. Damon. "I'm all ready and +anxious to start."</p> + +<p>It was decided to give the airship a few more trials around Shopton +before setting out, to see how it behaved with the car heavier loaded +than usual. With this in view a trip was made to Rocksmond, with Mr. +Swift, Mr. Damon and Ned, in addition to Mr. Sharp and Tom, on board. +Then, at Tom's somewhat blushing request, a stop was made near the +Seminary, and, when the pupils came trooping out, the young inventor +asked Miss Nestor if she didn't want to take a little flight. She +consented, and with two pretty companions climbed rather hesitatingly +into the car. No great height was attained, but the girls were fully +satisfied and, after their first alarm really enjoyed the spin in the +air, with Tom proudly presiding at the steering wheel, which Mr. Sharp +relinquished to the lad, for he understood Tom's feelings.</p> + +<p>Three days later all was in readiness for the trip to Atlanta. Mr. +Swift was earnestly invited to undertake it, both Tom and Mr. Sharp +urging him, but the veteran inventor said he must stay at home, and +work on his submarine plans.</p> + +<p>The evening before the start, when the aeronaut and Tom were giving a +final inspection to the craft in the big shed, Mr. Sharp exclaimed "I +declare Tom, I believe you'll have to take a run into town."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"Why to get that kit of special tools I ordered, which we might need +to make repairs. There are some long-handled wrenches, some spare +levers, and a couple of braces and bits. Harrison, the hardware +dealer, ordered them for me from New York, and they were to be ready +this afternoon, but I forgot them. Take an empty valise with you, and +you can carry them on your motorcycle. I'm sorry to have forgotten it, +but-"</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Mr. Sharp, I'd just as soon go as not. It will make +the time pass more quickly. I'll start right off."</p> + +<p>An hour later, having received the tools, which made quite a bundle, +the lad put them in the valise, and started back toward home. As he +swung around the corner on which the bank was located-the same bank in +which Ned Newton worked-one of the valves on the motor-cycle began to +leak. Tom dismounted to adjust it, and had completed the work, being +about to ride on, when down the street came Andy Foger and Sam +Snedecker. They started at the sight of our hero.</p> + +<p>"There he is now!" exclaimed Sam, as if he and the red-haired bully +had been speaking of the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Let's lick him!" proposed Andy. "Now's our chance to get even for +throwing that paint and soot on us."</p> + +<p>Tom heard their words. He was not afraid of both the lads, for, though +each one matched him in size and strength, Tom knew they were cowards.</p> + +<p>"If you're looking for anything I guess I can accommodate you," he +said, coolly.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Andy," urged Sam. But, somehow Andy hung back. Perhaps he +didn't like the way Tom squared off. The young inventor had let down +the rear brace of his motor-cycle, and was not obliged to hold it, so +he had both hands free.</p> + +<p>"We ought to lick him good and proper," growled the squint-eyed lad.</p> + +<p>"Well, why don't you?" invited Tom.</p> + +<p>He moved to one side, so as not to be hampered by his wheel. As he did +so he knocked from the handle bars the valise of tools. They fell with +a clatter and a thud to the pavement, and the satchel came open. It +was under a gas lamp, and the glitter of the long-handled wrenches and +other implements caught the eyes of Andy and his crony.</p> + +<p>"Huh! If we fought you, maybe you'd use some of them on us," sneered +Andy, glad of an excuse not to fight.</p> + +<p>Tom quickly picked up his valise, shutting it, but he was aware of the +close scrutiny of the two vindictive lads.</p> + +<p>"I don't fight with such things," he said, somewhat annoyed, and he +hung the tools back on the handle bars.</p> + +<p>"What you doing around the bank at this hour?" asked Sam, as if to +change the subject. "First thing you know the watchman will order you +to move on. He might think you were a suspicious character."</p> + +<p>"The same to you," retorted Tom, "but I'm going to ride on now, unless +you want to have a further argument with me."</p> + +<p>"You'd better be careful how you hang around a bank," added Andy. "The +police are on the lookout here. There's been some mysterious men seen +about."</p> + +<p>Tom did not care to go into that, and, seeing that the two bullies had +lost all desire to attack him, he put up the brace and mounted his +wheel.</p> + +<p>"Good-by," he called to Andy and Sam, as he rode off, the tools +rattling and jingling in the valise, but it was a sarcastic farewell, +and the two cronies did not reply.</p> + +<p>"I hope I didn't damage any of the tools when I let them fall that +time," mused the young inventor. "My, the way Sam and Andy stared at +them it would make it seem as if I had a lot of weapons in the bag! +They certainly took good note of them."</p> + +<p>The time was to come, and very shortly, when Andy's and Sam's +observation of the tools was to prove disastrous for our hero. As Tom +turned the corner he looked back, and saw, still standing in front of +the bank, the two cronies.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_11___The_Red_Cloud_Departs" id="Chapter_11___The_Red_Cloud_Departs" />Chapter 11 - The Red Cloud Departs</h2> + + + +<p>"Well, dad, I wish you were going along with us," said Tom to his +father next morning. "You don't know what you're going to miss. A fine +trip of several hundred miles through the air, seeing strange sights, +and experiencing new sensations."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I wish you would reconsider your determination, and accompany +us," added Mr. Damon. "I would enjoy your company."</p> + +<p>"There's plenty of room. We can carry six persons with ease," said Mr. +Sharp.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift shook his head, and smiled.</p> + +<p>"I have too much work to do here at home," he replied. "Perhaps I may +astonish you with something when you come back. I have nearly +perfected my latest invention."</p> + +<p>There was no combating such a resolution as this, and Tom and the +others considered the decision of the aged inventor as final. The +airship was ready for the start, and every one had arisen earlier than +usual on this account. The bag of tools, for which Tom had gone to +town, were put in their proper place, the last of the supplies were +taken abroad, final tests were made of the various apparatus, the +motor had been given a trial spin, disconnected from the propellers, +and then the balloonist announced</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom and Mr. Damon, you had better begin to think of starting. +We've had breakfast here, but there's no telling where we will eat +dinner."</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! Don't you talk that way!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "You +make me exceedingly nervous. Why shouldn't we know where we are going +to eat dinner?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I meant we couldn't tell over just what part of the United States +we would be when dinner time came," explained the aeronaut.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's different. Bless my pocket knife, but I thought you meant +we might be dashed to pieces, and incapable of eating any dinner."</p> + +<p>"Hardly," remarked Mr. Sharp. "The Red Cloud is not that kind of an +airship, I hope. But get aboard, if you please."</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon entered the car. It was resting on the ground, on +the small wheels used to start the airship when the gas inflation +method was not used. In this case, however, it had been decided to +rise in the air by means of the powerful vapor, and not to use the +wings and planes until another time. Consequently the ship was swaying +slightly, and tugging at the restraining cables.</p> + +<p>As Tom and Mr. Damon entered the cabin there drove into the Swift yard +a dilapidated wagon, drawn by a bony mule, and it did not need the +addition of a colored man's voice, calling: "Whoa, dar, Boomerang!" to +tell Tom that his friend Eradicate Sampson was on hand. As for +Eradicate, as soon as he saw the great airship, which he had never +before beheld fully rigged, all ready for a flight, his eyes became +big with wonder.</p> + +<p>"Is dat yo' flyin' machine, Mistah Swift?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"That's it, Rad," answered Tom. "Don't you want to come and take a +ride with us?"</p> + +<p>"Me? Good land a' massy! No indeedy, Mistah Swift," and the +whitewasher, who had descended from his wagon, edged away, as if the +airship might suddenly put out a pair of hands and grab him. "No +indeedy I doant! I come t' do a little whitewashin' an' when I do dat +I'se gwine on mah way. But dat's a pow'ful fine ship; it suah am!"</p> + +<p>"Better come and try a flight, Rad," added Mr. Damon. "I'll look after +you."</p> + +<p>"No, sag, an' I doan't take it kind ob yo' all t' tempt me dat way, +nuther," spoke Eradicate. But, when he saw that the craft was +stationary, he ventured to approach closer. Gingerly he put out one +hand and touched the framework of the wheels, just forward of the +cabin. The negro grasped the timber, and lifted it slightly. To his +astonishment the whole front of the airship tilted up, for it was +about ready to fly, and a child might have lifted it, so buoyant was +it. But Eradicate did not know this. Wonderingly he looked at the +great bulk of the ship, looming above him, then he glanced at his arm. +Once more, noting that the attention of his friends was elsewhere, he +lifted the craft. Then he cried "Look yeah, Mistah Swift! Look yeah! +No wonder day calls me Sampson. I done lifted dis monstrousness +airship wif one hand, See, I kin do it! I kin do it!"</p> + +<p>Once more he raised the Red Cloud slightly, and a delighted grin, not +unmixed with a look of awe, spread over his honest countenance.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you'll give up whitewashing and join a circus as a strong +man, now," observed Mr. Sharp, with a wink at his companions.</p> + +<p>"Days what I will!" announced Eradicate proudly. "I neber knowed I was +dat strong, but ob course I allers knowed I had some muscle. Golly, I +must hab growed strong ober night! Now, Boomerang, yo' suah has got t' +look out fo' yo' sef. No mo' ob yo' cuttin' up capers, or I'll jest +lift you up, an' sot yo' down on yo' back, I suah will," and the negro +feeling of his biceps walked over to where the mule stood, with its +eyes closed.</p> + +<p>"I guess you can cast off, Tom," called Mr. Sharp, as he entered .the +car, having seen that everything was all right. "We'll not go up very +far at first, until Mr. Damon gets used to the thin air."</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul, I believe I'm getting nervous," announced the +eccentric man. "Bless my liver, but I hope nothing happens."</p> + +<p>"Nothing will happen," Mr. Sharp assured him. "Just keep calm, when it +feels as if the bottom was dropping out of everything and you'll soon +get over it. Are you casting off those ropes, Tom? Is all clear?"</p> + +<p>"All but the bow and stern lines."</p> + +<p>"You attend to the bow line, and I'll go to the stern," and, going +over to the gas generator, Mr. Sharp started it so as to force more +vapor into the red aluminum container. This had the effect of +rendering the airship more bouyant, and it tugged and strained harder +than ever at the ropes.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Tom," called Mr. Swift, reaching up to shake hands with his +son. "Drop me a line when you get a chance."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom, do be careful," implored Mrs. Baggert, her kind face showing +her anxiety. "May I kiss you good-by?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," answered the young inventor, though the motherly +housekeeper had not done this since he was a little chap. She had to +stand on a soap box, which Eradicate brought in order to reach Tom's +face, and, when she had kissed him she said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so worried! I just know you'll be killed, risking your lives +in that terrible airship!"</p> + +<p>"Ha! Not a very cheerful view to take, madam," observed Mr. Damon. +"Don't hold that view, I beg of you. Bless my eyelashes, but you'll +see us coming home, covered with glory and star dust."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I hope so," answered Mrs. Baggert, laughing a little in +spite of herself.</p> + +<p>The last ropes were cast off. Good-bys were shouted as the airship +shot into the air, and Mr. Sharp started the motor, to warm it up +before the propellers were thrown into gear. The twenty cylinders +began exploding with a terrific racket, as the muffler was open, and +Tom, looking down, saw Boomerang awaken with a jump. The mule was so +frightened that he started off on a dead run, swinging the rickety, +old wagon along behind him.</p> + +<p>Eradicate Sampson, who had been feeling his muscle since he discovered +what he thought was his marvelous strength, saw what was happening.</p> + +<p>"Whoa, dar, Boomerang!" he shouted. Then, as the tailboard of the +wagon swung past him, he reached out and grabbed it. Perhaps he +thought he could bring the runaway mule up standing, but, if he did, +he was grievously disappointed. Boomerang pulled his master along the +gravel walk, and kept running in spite of Eradicate's command to +"whoa, dar!"</p> + +<p>It might have gone hard with him, had not Garret Jackson, the +engineer, running in front of Boomerang, caught the animal. Eradicate +picked himself up, and gazed sadly at his arms. The navigators of the +air could not hear what he said, but what he thought was evident to +them.</p> + +<p>Then, as Mr. Sharp deadened the explosions of the powerful motor. Tom, +looking at a gauge, noted that their height was seven hundred feet. +"High enough!" called Mr. Sharp, and it was time, for Mr. Damon, in +spite of his resolution, was getting pale.</p> + +<p>The gas was shut off, the propellers thrown into gear, and, with a +rush the Red Cloud shot toward the south, passing over the Swift +homestead, and high above the heads of the crowd that had gathered to +witness the start. The eventful voyage of the air had begun.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_12___Some_Startling_News" id="Chapter_12___Some_Startling_News" />Chapter 12 - Some Startling News</h2> + + + +<p>"Well, there they go," remarked Mrs. Baggert to Mr. Swift, as she +strained her eyes toward the sky, against the blue of which the +airship was now only a large, black ball.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and a fine start they made," replied the inventor. "I almost +wish I had accompanied them, but I must not stop work on my submarine +invention."</p> + +<p>"I do hope nothing will happen to them," went on the housekeeper. "I +declare, though, I feel just as if something was going to happen."</p> + +<p>"Nervousness, pure nervousness," commented Mr. Swift. "Better take a +little-er-I suppose catnip tea would be good."</p> + +<p>"Catnip tea! The very idea!" exclaimed Mrs. Baggert. "That shows how +much you know about nervousness, Mr. Swift," and she seemed a little +indignant.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Hum I Well, maybe catnip tea wouldn't be just the thing. But +don't worry about Tom. I'm sure he can look after himself. As for Mr. +Sharp he has made too many ascensions to run into any unnecessary +danger."</p> + +<p>"Nervous!" went on the housekeeper, who seemed to resent this state +being applied to her. "I'm sure I'm not half as nervous as that Mr. +Damon. He gives me the fidgets."</p> + +<p>"Of course. Well, I must get back to my work," said the inventor. "Ah, +are you hurt, Eradicate?" he went on, as the colored man came back, +driving Boomerang, who had been stopped just before reaching the road.</p> + +<p>"No, Mistah Swift, I ain't exactly damaged, but mah feelin's am suah +hurted."</p> + +<p>"How's that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I thought I had growed strong in de night, when I lifted dat +airship, but when I went to stop mah mule I couldn't do it. He won't +hab no respect fo' me now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wouldn't let that worry me," commented Mr. Swift, and he +explained to Eradicate how it was that he had so easily lifted the end +of the bouyant ship, which weighed very little when filled with gas.</p> + +<p>The colored man proceeded with his work of whitewashing, the inventor +was in his library, puzzling over tables of intricate figures, and +Mrs. Baggert was in the kitchen, sighing occasionally as she thought +of Tom, whom she loved almost as a son, high in the air, when two men +came up the walk, from the street, and knocked at the side door. Mrs. +Baggert, who answered the summons, was somewhat surprised to see Chief +of Police Simonson and Constable Higby.</p> + +<p>"They probably came to see the airship start," she thought, "but +they're too late."</p> + +<p>"Ah, good morning, Mrs. Baggert," greeted the chief. "Is Mr. Swift and +his son about this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swift is in his library, but Tom is gone."</p> + +<p>"He'll be back though, won't he?" asked Constable Higby quickly- +anxiously, Mrs. Baggert thought.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," she replied. "He and-"</p> + +<p>"Just take us to see Mr. Swift," interrupted the chief, with a look of +caution at his aide. "We'll explain matters to him."</p> + +<p>Wondering what could be the mission of the two officers, Mrs. Baggert +led them to the library.</p> + +<p>"It's queer," she thought, "that they don't ask something about the +airship. I suppose that was what they came for. But maybe it's about +the mysterious men who robbed Mr. Swift."</p> + +<p>"Ah, gentlemen, what can I do for you?" asked the inventor, as he rose +to greet the officials.</p> + +<p>"Ahem, Mr. Swift. Ahem-er-that is-well, the fact is, Mr. Swift," +stammered the chief, "we have come upon a very painful errand."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried Tom's father. "I haven't been robbed again, have +I?'</p> + +<p>"There has been a robbery committed," spoke the constable quickly.</p> + +<p>"But you are not the victim," interposed the chief.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad of that," said Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Where is your son, Tom?" asked the head of the Shopton police force, +sharply.</p> + +<p>"What do you want with him?" inquired the inventor, struck by some +strange tone in the other's voice.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swift," went on the chief, solemnly, "I said we came upon a very +painful errand. It is painful, as I have known Tom since he was a +little lad. But I must do my duty, no matter how painful it is. I have +a warrant for the arrest of your son, Thomas Swift, and I have come to +serve it. I need not tell you that it is your duty to give him up to +us-the representatives of the law. I call upon you to produce your +son."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift staggered to his feet.</p> + +<p>"My son! You have come to arrest my son?" he stammered.</p> + +<p>The chief nodded grimly.</p> + +<p>"Upon what charge?" faltered the father.</p> + +<p>"On a charge of breaking into the Shopton National Bank last night, +and stealing from the vault seventy-five thousand dollars in +currency!"</p> + +<p>"Seventy-five thousand dollars! Tom accused of robbing the bank!" +faltered Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"That is the charge, and we've come to arrest him," broke in Constable +Higby.</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" added the chief.</p> + +<p>"This charge is false! Absolutely false!" shouted the aged inventor.</p> + +<p>"That may be," admitted the chief shaking his head. "But the charge +has been made, and we hold the warrant. The courts will settle it. We +must now arrest Tom. Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"He isn't here!" cried Mr. Swift, and small blame to him if there was +a note of triumph in his voice. "Tom sailed away not half an hour ago +in the airship Red Cloudl You can't arrest him!"</p> + +<p>"He's escaped!" shouted the constable. "I told you, chief, that he was +a slippery customer, and that we'd better come before breakfast!"</p> + +<p>"Dry up!" commanded the chief testily. "So he's foiled us, eh? Run +away when he knew we were coming? I think that looks like guilt, Mr. +Swift."</p> + +<p>"Never!" cried the inventor. "Tom would never think of robbing the +bank. Besides, he has all the money he wants. The charge is +preposterous! I demand to be confronted with the proof."</p> + +<p>"You shall be," answered Chief Simonson vindictively. "If you will +come to the bank you can see the rifled vault, and hear the testimony +of a witness who saw your son with burglar tools in his possession +last night. We also have a warrant for Mr. Wakefield Damon. Do you +know anything of him?"</p> + +<p>"He has gone with my son in the airship."</p> + +<p>"Ha! The two criminals with their booty have escaped together!" cried +the chief. "But we'll nab them if we have to scour the whole country. +Come on, Higby! Mr. Swift, if you'll accompany me to the bank, I think +I can give you all the proof you want," and the officials, followed by +the amazed and grief-stricken inventor, left the house.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_13___Mr_Damon_In_Danger" id="Chapter_13___Mr_Damon_In_Danger" />Chapter 13 - Mr. Damon In Danger</h2> + + + +<p>The sensations of the voyagers in the airship, who meanwhile, were +flying along over the country surrounding Shopton, were not very +different than when they had undertaken some trial flights. In fact +Mr. Damon was a little disappointed after they had waved their +farewells to Mr. Swift and Mrs. Baggert.</p> + +<p>"I declare I'm not at all nervous," he remarked, as he sat in an easy +chair in the enclosed car or cabin, and looked down at the earth +through the plate-glass windows in the floor.</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd be all right once we got started," commented Mr. +Sharp. "Do you think you can stand going a trifle higher?"</p> + +<p>"Try it,." suggested the eccentric man. "Bless my watch chain, but, as +I said, I might as well die this way as any other. Hitting a cloud- +bank is easier than trying to climb a tree on a motorcycle, eh, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Very much so, Mr. Damon," conceded the young inventor, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll not attempt any cloud heights for a day or two," went on +Mr. Sharp. "I want you, to gradually get used to the rarefied +atmosphere, Mr. Damon. Tom and I are getting to be old hands at it. +But, if you think you can stand it, I'll go up about a thousand feet +higher."</p> + +<p>"Make it two thousand, while you're at it," proposed the odd +character. "Might as well take a long fall as a short one."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the elevation rudder was used to send the Red Cloud to a +greater height while she was still skimming along like some great +bird. Of course the desired elevation could have been obtained by +forcing more gas from the machine into the big, red container +overhead, but it was decided to be as sparing of this vapor as +possible, since the voyagers did not want to descend to get more +material, in case they used up what they had. It was just as easy to +rise by properly working the rudders, when the ship was in motion, and +that was the method now employed.</p> + +<p>With the great propellers, fore and aft, making about a thousand +revolutions a minute the craft slanted up toward the sky.</p> + +<p>The ship was not being run at top speed as Mr. Sharp did not care to +force it, and there was no need for haste. Long distance, rather than +high speed was being aimed at on this first important flight.</p> + +<p>Tom was at the steering wheel, and, with his I hand on the lever +controlling the elevation rudder, kept watch of the face of Mr. Damon, +occasionally noting what height the hand on the gauge registered. He +fancied he saw the cheeks of his friend growing pale, and, when a +height of thirty-five hundred feet was indicated, with a yank the +young inventor put the airship on a level keel.</p> + +<p>"Are you distressed, Mr. Damon?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Ye-yes, I-I have-some-some difficulty in breathing," was the answer.</p> + +<p>Tom gave his friend the same advice the aeronaut had given the lad on +his first trip, and the eccentric man soon felt better.</p> + +<p>"Bless my buttons!" he ventured to explain. "But I feel as if I had +lost several pounds of flesh, and I'm glad of it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp was busy with the motor, which needed some slight +adjustments, and Tom was in sole charge of navigating the airship. He +had lost the nervous feeling that first possessed him, and was +becoming quite an expert at meeting various currents of wind +encountered in the upper regions.</p> + +<p>Below, the voyagers could see the earth spread out like a great map. +They could not tell their exact location now, but by calculating their +speed, which was about thirty miles an hour, Tom figured out that they +were above the town of Centreford, near where he had been attacked +once by the model thieves.</p> + +<p>For several hours the airship kept on her way, maintaining a height of +about a mile, for when it was found that Mr. Damon could accommodate +himself to thirty-five hundred feet the elevation rudder was again +shifted to send the craft upward.</p> + +<p>By using glasses the travelers could see crowds on the earth watching +their progress in the air, and, though airships, dirigible balloons +and aeroplanes are getting fairly common now, the appearance of one as +novel and as large as the Red Cloud could always be depended upon to +attract attention.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you say to something to eat?" proposed Mr. Sharp, +coming into the main cabin, from the motor compartment. "It's twelve +o'clock, though we can't hear the factory whistles up, here."</p> + +<p>"I'm ready, any time you are," called Tom, from the pilot house. +"Shall I cook grub, Mr. Sharp?"</p> + +<p>"No, you manage the ship, and I'll play cook. We'll not get a very +elaborate meal this time, as I shall have to pay occasional visits to +the motor, which isn't running just to suit me."</p> + +<p>The electrical stove was set going, and some soup and beefsteak from +among the stores, was put on the fire. In spite of the fact that the +day was a warm one in October, it was quite cool in the cabin, until +the stove took off the chill. The temperature of the upper regions was +several degrees below that of the earth. At times the ship passed +through little wisps of vapor-clouds in the making.</p> + +<p>"Isn't this wonderful!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, as he sat in an easy +chair, partaking of some of the food. "To think that I have lived to +see the day when I can take my lunch a mile in the air, with a craft +flying along like a bird. Bless my knife and fork but it certainly is +wonderful."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp relieved Tom at the wheel, while the young inventor ate, and +then, with the airship heading southwest, the speed was increased a +trifle, the balloonist desiring to see what the motor could accomplish +under a heavy load.</p> + +<p>A drop of several hundred feet was made about an hour later, and, as +this made it warmer, Mr. Damon, who was a great lover of fresh air, +decided to go out on the platform in front of the cabin. This +platform, and a similar one at the rear, was railed about, to prevent +accidents. A fine view could be had from them much better than through +the floor windows of the car.</p> + +<p>"Be careful of the propeller," advised Tom, as his friend went +outside. "I don't believe you're tall enough to be hit by the blades, +but don't take any chances of standing on your tiptoes."</p> + +<p>"Bless my pocket handkerchief, indeed I'll not," came the answer. "But +I think I shall wrap up my throat in the scarf I brought along. I am +subject to neuralgia, and the breeze may bring on an attack of it."</p> + +<p>Wrapping along, woolen scarf about his neck, the eccentric man +ventured out on the open platform. About the middle of it, but +sufficiently high to be above a person's head, was the forward +propeller, whirring around at swift speed.</p> + +<p>Tom, with his eye on the various gauges and the compass, was steering +the airship. He glanced at Mr. Damon, who appeared to be enjoying the +view from the platform. For an instant the eyes of the lad were taken +from the form of his friend. He looked back suddenly, however, his +attention attracted by a smothered cry. He was horrified by what he +saw.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon was leaning far over the edge of the railing, with nothing +between him and the earth a thousand feet below. He seemed to have +lost his balance and had toppled forward, being doubled up on the iron +pipe railing, his hands hanging limply over. Then, as Tom cried to Mr. +Sharp to shut off the motor, the lad saw that, hanging to the blade of +the propeller, and being whirled around in its revolutions, was a part +of Mr. Damon's red scarf.</p> + +<p>"Hurry! Hurry, Mr. Sharp!" yelled Tom, not daring to let go the +steering wheel, for fear the ship would encounter a treacherous +current and tilt. "Hurry to Mr. Damon!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"He's dead-or unconscious-hanging over the railing. He seems to be +slipping! Hurry, or it will be too late!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_14___Andy_Gives_The_Clue" id="Chapter_14___Andy_Gives_The_Clue" />Chapter 14 - Andy Gives The Clue</h2> + + + +<p>When Mr. Swift followed the chief of police and the constable to the +town hall his mind was filled with many thoughts. All his plans for +revolutionizing submarine travel, were, of course, forgotten, and he +was only concerned with the charge that had been made against his son. +It seemed incredible, yet the officers were not ones to perpetrate a +joke. The chief and constable had driven from town in a carriage, and +they now invited the inventor to ride back with them.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to tell me a warrant has actually been sworn out against +my son, Chief?" asked the father, when they were near the town hall.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I mean to say, Mr. Swift, and, I'm sorry, on your +account, that I have to serve it."</p> + +<p>"Hub! Don't look like you was goin' to serve it," remarked the +constable. "He's skipped out."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Higby," went on the chief. "I'll catch em both. +Even if they have escaped in an airship with their booty, I'll nab +'em. I'll have a general alarm out all over the country in less than +an hour. They can't stay up in the air forever."</p> + +<p>"A warrant for Tom-my son," murmured Mr. Swift, as if he could not +believe it</p> + +<p>"Yes, and for that Damon man, too," added the chief. "I want him as +well as Tom, and I'll get 'em."</p> + +<p>"Would you mind letting me see the warrants?" asked the inventor, and +the official passed them over. The documents were made out in regular +form, and the complaints had been sworn to by Isaac Pendergast, the +bank president.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand it," went on Tom's father. "Seventy-five thousand +dollars. It's incredible! Why!" he suddenly exclaimed, "it can't be +true. Just before he left, Mr. Damon-"</p> + +<p>"Yes, what did he do?" asked the chief eagerly, thinking he might +secure some valuable evidence.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll say nothing until I have seen the bank president," +replied Mr. Swift, and the official was obviously disappointed.</p> + +<p>The inventor found Mr. Pendergast, and some other bank officials in +the town hall. The financiers were rather angry when they learned that +the accused persons had not been caught, but the chief said he would +soon have them in custody.</p> + +<p>"In the meanwhile will you kindly explain, what this means?" asked Mr. +Swift of the president.</p> + +<p>"You may come and look at the looted vault, if you like, Mr. Swift," +replied Mr. Pendergast. "It was a very thorough job, and will +seriously cripple the bank."</p> + +<p>There was no doubt that the vault had been forced open, for the locks +and bars were bent and twisted as if by heavy tools. Mr. Swift made a +careful examination, and was shown the money drawers that had been +smashed.</p> + +<p>"This was the work of experts," he declared.</p> + +<p>"Exactly what we think," said the president. "Of course we don't +believe your son was a professional bank robber, Mr. Swift. We have a +theory that Mr. Damon did the real work, but that Tom helped him with +the tools he had. There is no doubt about it."</p> + +<p>"What right have you to accuse my son?" burst out the aged inventor. +"Why have you any more cause to suspect him than any other lad in +town? Why do you fix on him, and Mr. Damon? I demand to know."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Damon's eccentric actions for a few days past, and his well-known +oddity of character make him an object of suspicion," declared the +president in judicial tones. "As for Tom, we have, I regret to say, +even better evidence against him."</p> + +<p>"But what is it? What? Who gave you any clues to point to my son?"</p> + +<p>"Do you really wish to know?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do," was the sharp reply. Mr. Swift, the police and +several bank officials were now in the president's office. The latter +pressed an electric bell, and, when a messenger answered, he said</p> + +<p>"Send young Foger here."</p> + +<p>At the mention of this name, Mr. Swift started. He well knew the red- +haired bully was an enemy of his son. Andy entered, walking rather +proudly at the attention he attracted.</p> + +<p>"This is Mr. Swift," said the president.</p> + +<p>"Aw, I know him," blurted out Andy.</p> + +<p>"You will please tell him what you told us," went on Mr. Pendergast.</p> + +<p>"Well, I seen Tom Swift hanging around this bank with burglar tools in +his possession last night, just before it was robbed," exclaimed the +squint-eyed lad triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"Hanging around the bank last night with burglar tools?" repeated Mr. +Swift, in dazed tones.</p> + +<p>"That's right," from Andy.</p> + +<p>"How do you know they were burglar tools?"</p> + +<p>"Because I saw 'em!" cried Andy. "He had 'em in a valise on his motor- +cycle. He was standing at the corner, waiting for a chance to break +into the bank, and when me and Sam Snedecker saw him, he pretended to +be fixin' his machine. Then the bag of burglar tools fell off, the +satchel came open, and I seen 'em! That's how I know."</p> + +<p>"And you're sure they were burglar tools?" asked the chief, for he +depended on Andy to be his most important witness.</p> + +<p>"Sure I am. I seen a picture of burglar tools once, and the ones Tom +had was just like 'em. Long-handled wrenches, brace an' bits, an' all. +He tried to hide 'em, but me an' Sam was too quick for him. He wanted +to lick me, too."</p> + +<p>"No doubt you deserved it," murmured Mr. Swift. "But how do you know +my son was waiting for a chance to break into the bank?"</p> + +<p>"'Cause, wasn't it robbed right after he was hangin' around here with +the burglar tools?" inquired Andy, as if that was unanswerable.</p> + +<p>"What were you hanging around here for?" Mr. Swift demanded quickly.</p> + +<p>"Me? Oh, well, me an' Sam Snedecker was out takin' a walk. That's +all."</p> + +<p>"You didn't want to rob the bank, did you?" went on the inventor, +keenly.</p> + +<p>"Of course not," roared the bully, indignantly. "I ain't got no +burglar tools."</p> + +<p>Andy told more along the same line, but his testimony of having seen +Tom near the bank, with a bag of odd tools could not be shaken. In +fact it was true, as far as it went, but, of course, the tools were +only those for the airship; the same ones Mr. Sharp had sent the lad +after. Sam Snedecker was called in after Andy, and told substantially +the same story.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift could not understand it, for he knew nothing of Tom being +sent for the tools, and had not heard any talk at home of the bag of +implements ordered by the balloonist. Still, of course, he knew Tom +had nothing to do with the robbery, and he knew his son had been at +home all the night previous. Still this was rather negative evidence. +But the inventor had one question yet to ask.</p> + +<p>"You say you also suspect Mr. Damon of complicity in this affair?" he +went on, to the chief of police.</p> + +<p>"We sure do," replied Mr. Simonson.</p> + +<p>"Then can you explain?" proceeded the inventor, "how it is that Mr. +Damon has on deposit in this bank a large sum. Would he rob the bank +where his own funds were?"</p> + +<p>"We are prepared for that," declared the president. "It is true that +Mr. Damon has about ten thousand dollars in our bank, but we believe +he deposited it only as a blind, so as to cover up his tracks. It is a +deep-laid scheme, and escaping in the airship is part of it. I am +sorry, Mr. Swift, that I have to believe your son and his accomplice +guilty, but I am obliged to. Chief, you had better send out a general +alarm. The airship ought to be easy to trace."</p> + +<p>"I'll telegraph at once," said the official.</p> + +<p>"And you believe my son guilty, solely on the testimony of these two +boys, who, as is well known, are his enemies?" asked Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"The clue they gave us is certainly most important," said the +president. "Andy came to us and told what he had seen, as soon as it +became known that the bank had been robbed."</p> + +<p>"And I'm going to get the reward for giving information of the +robbers, too!" cried the bully.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to have my share!" insisted Sam.</p> + +<p>"Ah, then there is a reward offered?" inquired Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Five thousand dollars," answered Mr. Pendergast. "The directors, all +of whom are present save Mr. Foger, Andy's father, met early this +morning, and decided to offer that sum."</p> + +<p>"And I'm going to get it," announced the redhaired lad again.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift was much downcast. There seemed to be nothing more to say, +and, being a man unversed in the ways of the world, he did not know +what to do. He returned hone. When Mrs. Baggert was made acquainted +with the news, she waxed indignant.</p> + +<p>"Our Tom a thief!" she cried. "Why don't they accuse me and Mr. +Jackson and you? The idea! You ought to hire a lawyer, Mr. Swift, and +prosecute those men for slander."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it would be a good plan?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do. Why they have no evidence at all! What does that +mean, sneaking Andy Foger amount to? Get a lawyer, and have Tom's +interests looked after."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift, glad to have sane one share the responsibility with, felt +somewhat better when a well-known Shopton attorney assurred him that +the evidence against Tom was of such a flimsy character that it would +scarcely hold in a court of justice.</p> + +<p>"But they have warrants for him and Mr. Damon," declared the inventor.</p> + +<p>"Very true, but it is easy to swear out a warrant against any one. +It's a different matter to prove a person guilty."</p> + +<p>"But they can arrest my son."</p> + +<p>"Yes—if they catch him. However, we can soon have him released on +bail."</p> + +<p>"It's disgraceful," said Mrs. Baggert.</p> + +<p>"Not at all, my dear madam, not at all. Good and innocent persons have +been arrested."</p> + +<p>"They are going to send out a general alarm for my son," bewailed Mr. +Swift.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I fancy it will be some time before they catch him and Mr. +Damon, if the airship holds together. I can't think of a better way to +keep out of the clutches of the police, and their silly charge," +chuckled the lawyer. "Now don't worry, Mr. Swift. It will all come out +right.</p> + +<p>The inventor tried to believe so, but, though he knew his son was +innocent, it was rather hard to see, within the next few days, big +posters on all the vacant walls and fences, offering a reward of five +thousand dollars for the arrest of Tom Swift and Wakefield Damon, who +were charged with having flown away in an airship with seventyfive +thousand dollars of the bank's money.</p> + +<p>"I guess Tom Swift will wish he'd been more decent to me when I +collect that money for his arrest," said Andy to his crony, Sam, the +day the bills were posted.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I get my share, don't I?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered the bully. "I wish they'd hurry up and arrest him."</p> + +<p>Within the next few days the country was covered with posters telling +of the robbery and the reward, and police officials in cities large +and small, and in towns and villages, were notified by telegraph to +arrest and capture, at any cost the occupants of a certain large, red +airship.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift, on the advice of his lawyer, sent several telegrams to Tom, +apprising him of what had happened. The telegraph company was asked to +rush the telegrams to the first city when word came in that the Red +Cloud had landed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_15___Fired_Upon" id="Chapter_15___Fired_Upon" />Chapter 15 - Fired Upon</h2> + + + +<p>Tom's excited call to the aeronaut, telling of the mishap to Mr. +Damon, was answered immediately. Mr. Sharp jumped forward from the +motor compartment, and, passing on his way the electric switch, he +yanked it out, stopping the machinery, and the great propellers. Then +he leaped out on the platform.</p> + +<p>But something else happened. Just before the accident to the eccentric +man, desiring to give a further test to the planes, the gas had been +shut off, making the airship an aeroplane instead of a dirigible +balloon. Consequently, as soon as the forward motion ceased the great +ship began falling.</p> + +<p>"We're sinking! We're sinking!" cried Tom, forgetting for a moment +that he was not in his motor-boat.</p> + +<p>"Slant your rudder up, and glide downward as slowly as you can!" +directed Mr. Sharp. "I'll start the engine again as soon as I rescue +him," for it was risky to venture out on the platform with the +propeller whirring, as the dangling piece of scarf might whip around +the balloonist and toss him off.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp was soon at Mr. Damon's side. He saw that the man was +unconscious, whether from fright or some injury could not then be +determined. There was, however, no sign of a wound.</p> + +<p>It was no easy task to carry, half dragging it, the heavy body of Mr. +Damon off the platform, but the aeronaut was a muscular individual, +and long hanging from a trapeze, at great heights, stood him in good +stead.</p> + +<p>He brought the unconscious man into the cabin, and then, quickly +returning to the platform, he detached the piece of scarf from the +propeller blade. Next he started the motor, and also turned on the gas +tank, so that the airship, in a few minutes, could float in space +without motion.</p> + +<p>"You needn't steer now, Tom," said the balloonist. "Just give me a +hand here."</p> + +<p>"Is-is he dead?" inquired the lad, his voice faltering.</p> + +<p>"No, his heart's beating. I can't understand what happened."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp was something of a rough and ready surgeon and doctor, and a +small box of medicines had been brought along in case of emergencies. +With the Red Cloud now lazily floating in the air, for, once the +falling motion had been checked by the engine, the motor had been +stopped again, Mr. Sharp set about restoring Mr. Damon to +consciousness.</p> + +<p>It was not long before the man opened his eyes. The color that had +left his cheeks came back, and, after a drink of cold water he was +able to sit up.</p> + +<p>"Did I fall?" he asked. "Bless my very existence, but did I tumble off +the airship?"</p> + +<p>"No indeed," replied Tom, "though you came pretty near it. How do you +feel? Were you hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm all right now-just a trifle dizzy. But I thought sure I was a +goner when I fell over the platform railing," and Mr. Damon could not +repress a shudder. Mr. Sharp administered some more medicine and his +patient was soon able to stand, and move about.</p> + +<p>"How did it happen?" inquired the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"I hardly know," answered Mr. Damon. "I was out on the platform, +looking at the view, and thinking how much better my neuralgia was, +with the scarf on. Suddenly the wind whipped loose one end of the +scarf, and, before I knew it the cloth had caught on the propeller +blade. I was blown, or drawn to one side, tossed against the railing, +which I managed to grab, and then I lost my senses. It's a good thing +I wasn't whirled around the propeller."</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing you weren't tossed down to the earth," commented +Tom, shivering as he thought of his friend's narrow escape.</p> + +<p>"I became unconscious, partly because the wind was knocked from me as +I hit the platform railing," went on Mr. Damon, "and partly from +fright, I think. But I'm all right now, and I'm not going out on that +platform again with a loose scarf on."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't go out at all again, if I were you, though, of course, I'm +used to dizzy heights," spoke Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not so easily frightened," declared Mr. Damon. "If I'm going +to be a balloonist, or an aeroplanist I've got to get used to certain +things. I'm all right now," and the plucky man was, for the blow to +his side did not amount to much. It was some time, however, before Tom +got over the fright his friend had caused him.</p> + +<p>They spent that night moving slowly south, and in the morning found +they had covered about a hundred miles, not having run the ship to +anything like its maximum speed. Breakfast was served above the +clouds, for a change, Mr. Damon finding that he could stand the great +height with comfort.</p> + +<p>It was three days after the start, and the travelers were proceeding +slowly along. They were totally unaware, of course, of the sensation +which their leaving, conjointly with the bank robbery, had caused, not +only in Shopton but in other places.</p> + +<p>"We're over a good-sized city," announced Tom, on the noon of the +third day. "Suppose we drop down, and leave some message? Dad will be +anxious to hear from us."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," commented Mr. Sharp. "Down it is. Shift the rudder."</p> + +<p>Tom proceeded to do so, and, while Mr. Damon relieved him at the wheel +the young inventor prepared a message to his father. It was placed in +a weighted envelope, together with a sum of money, and the person +picking it up was requested to send the letter as a telegram, +retaining some money for his trouble.</p> + +<p>As the ship got lower and lower over the city the usual crowds could +be seen congregating in the streets, pointing and gazing upward.</p> + +<p>"We're creating quite a stir," observed Tom.</p> + +<p>"More than usual, it seems," added Mr. Sharp, peering down. "I +declare, there seems to be a police parade under way."</p> + +<p>"That's right," put in Mr. Damon, for, looking down, a squad of +uniformed officers, some on horseback, could be seen hurrying along +the main street, trying to keep pace with the airship, which was +moving slowly.</p> + +<p>"They're looking at us through telescopes," called Tom. "Guess they +never saw a balloon down this way."</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer to the city dropped the Red Cloud. Tom was about to +let go the weighted envelope, when, from the midst of the police came +several puffs of white smoke. It was followed by vicious, zipping +sounds about the cabin of the ship, the windows of which were open. +Then came the reports of several rifles.</p> + +<p>"They're firing at us!" yelled Tom.</p> + +<p>"So they are!" cried Mr. Sharp. "They must be crazy! Can't they see +that we're not a bird."</p> + +<p>"Maybe they take us for a war balloon," suggested Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Another volley was directed at the airship, and several bullets struck +the big aluminum gas holder glancing blows.</p> + +<p>"Here! Quit that!" yelled Tom, leaning out of the window. "Are you +crazy? You'll damage us!"</p> + +<p>"They can't hear you," called Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>A third volley was fired, and this time several persons other than +police officers seemed to be shooting at the airship. Revolvers as +well as rifles were being used.</p> + +<p>"We're got to get out of this!" shouted Mr. Sharp, as a bullet sang +uncomfortably close to his head. "I can't imagine what's gotten into +the people. Send her up, Tom!"</p> + +<p>The lad quickly shifted the elevation rudder, and the Red Cloud sailed +majestically aloft. The young inventor had not dropped his message, +concluding that citizens who would fire on travelers of the air for no +reason, would not be likely to accommodate them in the matter of +sending messages.</p> + +<p>The craft mounted rapidly upward, but before it was beyond rifle shot +another volley was fired, one bullet sending some splinters flying +from the wooden framework.</p> + +<p>"Whew! That was a narrow escape!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "What in the +world can those people be up to, anyhow?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_16___Over_a_Fiery_Furnace" id="Chapter_16___Over_a_Fiery_Furnace" />Chapter 16 - Over a Fiery Furnace</h2> + + + +<p>Down below, the aeronauts could see the crowd, led by the police, +scurrying to and fro. Many individuals beside the officers appeared to +be holding weapons, and, from the puffs of smoke that spurted out, it +was evident that more shots were being fired. But the bullets could do +no harm, and the Red Cloud, under the force of the rapidly revolving +propellers, was soon beyond the center of the city.</p> + +<p>"Well, if that isn't the limit!" cried Tom. "They must have taken us +for a German war balloon, about to drop explosives on them."</p> + +<p>"Bless my liver!" ejaculated Mr. Damon, "I believe you're right. Eh, +Mr. Sharp?"</p> + +<p>The veteran balloonist took a careful look over the craft before +replying. Then he spoke:</p> + +<p>"It couldn't be that," and he shook his head, as if puzzled. "They +would know no foreign airship would try any trick like that. Beside, +if by some remote possibility they did imagine it, there would be +soldiers shooting at us, instead of the police. As it was, the whole +population seemed anxious to bring us down."</p> + +<p>"And they nearly did," added Mr. Damon. "If they had shot a few holes +in the gas bag where would we be?"</p> + +<p>"Right in the air," answered the balloonist. "It would take several +volleys of bullets to damage our aluminum container. It is in sections +and when one, or even five compartments, for that matter, are pierced, +there is enough gas in the others to sustain us. So they could not +have damaged us much, even if they had shot a lot of holes in us. Even +without the gas container we can keep afloat by constantly moving, for +the planes will serve their purpose. Of course they could damage us, +and maybe put some of our machinery out of business, and that would be +a serious thing. But what puzzles me is why they fired at us at all."</p> + +<p>"It couldn't be out of pure mischief; could it?" asked the young +inventor.</p> + +<p>"Hardly. If we were in a savage country I could understand the natives +firing at some such object as this airship, but the people of that +city must have known what our craft was. They probably have read +something about it in the news papers, and to deliberately fire on us, +with the chance of disabling us, seems worse than barbarous."</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't give 'em another opportunity," commented Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, not this city, but who knows but what the example may +spread? We may be fired at the next town we sail over."</p> + +<p>"Then steer clear of the towns," advised Tom.</p> + +<p>"Impossible. We must pass over some, but I'd like to solve this +mystery."</p> + +<p>The day passed without further incident, though they did not go low +enough down over any city to drop any messages. It was decided that it +would not be safe.</p> + +<p>"We'll take a chance at night," suggested Tom, and that evening, +approaching a good-sized town in the dusk, several of the weighted +envelopes were dropped overboard. Doubtless persons walking along the +street, who were startled by hearing something fall with a "thud" at +their feet, were much startled to look up and see, dimly, a great, +ghostly shape moving in the air. But there was no shooting, and, +eventually, some of the messages reached Mr. Swift, in Shopton. But he +could not answer them for the airship kept on the move.</p> + +<p>The night was spent floating in the air, with the engine stopped, and +the Red Cloud floating lazily this way and that as the gentle winds +shifted, for it was calm. The "anchorage" if such it may be called, +was above a sparsely settled part of the country, and if the lights of +the airship were seen from below, the farmers doubtless took them for +some new stars or, possibly, a comet.</p> + +<p>"Now then for a fast, straight run!" cried Tom, after breakfast had +been served, and the big motor, with its twenty cylinders, started. +"We'll be able to make the turn to-day, and then make for home, won't +we, Mr. Sharp?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we could do it, Tom," was the answer, "but I like this mode of +traveling so that I think I'll lengthen the voyage. Instead of turning +at Atlanta, what do you say to making for Key West, and then starting +back? That will be something of a trip. The Red Cloud is behaving much +better than I hoped she would."</p> + +<p>"I'm willing to go further if Mr. Damon is."</p> + +<p>"Oh, bless my shoe strings, I'm game!" exclaimed the eccentric man. "I +always did want to go to Key West, anyhow."</p> + +<p>The craft was speeding along at a fast clip, and dinner that day was +served about three miles in the air. Then, desiring to test the +gliding abilities of the airship, it was sent down on a long slant, +with the propellers stationary, the shifting planes and rudders alone +guiding it.</p> + +<p>As the craft fairly slid down out of the sky, like a sled on a bank of +fleecy snow, Tom, who was peering ahead, with his hand on the steering +wheel, cried out "I say! It looks as if we were going to run into a +thunder storm!"</p> + +<p>"How's that?" inquired Mr. Sharp, poking his head from the motor +compartment.</p> + +<p>"He says there's a big storm ahead," repeated Mr. Damon, "and I guess +he's right. I see a big bank of dark clouds, and there is a roaring in +the air."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp, who had been making some adjustments to the motor went +forward to take a look. The Red Cloud was swiftly gliding downward on +a slant, straight toward a dark mass of vapor, that seemed to be +rolling first one way, and then another, while as Mr. Damon had said, +there was a low rumbling proceeding from it.</p> + +<p>"That doesn't seem to be a thunder storm," spoke the balloonist, with +a puzzled air.</p> + +<p>They all regarded the dark mass of vapor intently for a few seconds. +Tom had brought the airship to a more level keel, and it was now +spinning along under its own momentum, like a flat piece of tin, +scaled by some lead. But it was headed for the clouds, if such they +were, though losing speed by degrees.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to start the motor!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "We don't want to +run into a storm, if we can help it, though I don't ever remember +seeing a thunder disturbance like that."</p> + +<p>"Whew! It's getting warm," suddenly announced the youth, and he let go +of the steering wheel for a moment, while he took off his coat.</p> + +<p>"That's what it is," agreed Mr. Damon, who also divested himself of +his garments. "Bless my spark plug, but it's like a July day. No +wonder there's a thunderstorm ahead."</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Sharp uttered a cry. "That's no storm!" he fairly shouted. +"It's a big forest fire! That's smoke we see! We must get out of this. +Turn around Tom, while I start the engine. We must rise above it!"</p> + +<p>He fairly leaped for the motor, and Tom and Mr. Damon could hear him +turning the levers and wheels, ready to start. But before the +explosions came something happened. There was a sound as of some +great, siren whistle blowing, and then, with a howl of the on rushing +air, the Red Cloud, the propellers of which hung motionless on their +shafts, was fairly sucked forward toward the fire, as the current +sucks a boat over a water fall.</p> + +<p>"Start the motor! Start the motor, Mr. Sharp!" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"I'm trying to, but something seems to be the matter."</p> + +<p>"We're being drawn right over the fire!" yelled Mr. Damon. "It's +getting hotter every minute! Can't you do something?"</p> + +<p>"You take the wheel," called the balloonist to Mr. Damon. "Steer +around, just as if it was an auto when we start the engine. Tom, come +here and give me a hand. The motor has jammed!"</p> + +<p>The young inventor sprang to obey. Mr. Damon, his face showing some of +the fear he felt, grasped the steering wheel. The airship was now +about a quarter of a mile high, but instead of resting motionless in +the air, sustained by the gas in the container, she was being pulled +forward, right toward the heart of the mass of black vapor, which it +could now be seen was streaked with bright tongues of flame.</p> + +<p>"What's making us go ahead, if the motor isn't going?" asked Tom, as +he bent over the machine, at which the aeronaut was laboring.</p> + +<p>"Suction-draught from the fire!" explained Mr. Sharp. "Heated air +rises and leaves a vacuum. The cold air rushes in. It's carrying us +with it. We'll be right in the fire in a few minutes, if we can't get +started with this motor! I don't see what ails it."</p> + +<p>"Can't we steer to one side, as it is?"</p> + +<p>"No. We're right in a powerful current of air, and steering won't do +any good, until we have some motion of our own. Turn the gasolene +lever on a little more, and see if you can get a spark."</p> + +<p>Tom did so, but no explosion resulted. The twenty cylinders of the big +engine remained mute. The airship, meanwhile, was gathering speed, +sucked onward and downward as it was by the draught from the fire. The +roaring was plainer now, and the crackling of the flames could be +heard plainly. The heat, too, grew more, intense.</p> + +<p>Frantically Tom and Mr. Sharp labored over the motor. With the +perverseness usual to gas engines, it had refused to work at a +critical moment.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" cried Mr. Damon from his position in the pilot +house. "We seem to be heading right for the midst of it?"</p> + +<p>"Slant the elevation rudder," called Tom. "Send the ship up. It will +be cooler the higher we go. Maybe we can float over it!"</p> + +<p>"You'd better go out there," advised Mr. Sharp. "I'll keep at this +motor. Go up as high as you can. Turn on more gas. That will elevate +us, but maybe not quick enough. The gas doesn't generate well in great +heat. I'm afraid we're in for it," he added grimly.</p> + +<p>Tom sprang to relieve Mr. Damon. The heat was now intense. Nearer and +nearer came the Red Cloud to the blazing forest, which seemed to cover +several square miles. Great masses of smoke, with huge pieces of +charred and blazing wood carried up by the great draught, circled +around the ship. The Red Cloud was being pulled into the midst of the +fire by the strong suction. Tom yanked over the elevation rudder, and +the nose of the craft pointed upward. But it still moved downward, +and, a moment later the travelers of the air felt as if they were over +a fiery furnace.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_17___Wanted_For_Robberyquot" id="Chapter_17___Wanted_For_Robberyquot" />Chapter 17 - "Wanted For Robbery!"</h2> + + + +<p>Choking and gasping for breath, feeling as if they could not stand the +intense heat more than a moment longer, the young inventor and his +companions looked at each other. Death seemed ready to reach out and +grasp them. The mass of heated air was so powerful that it swung and +tossed the Red Cloud about as if it were a wisp of paper.</p> + +<p>"We must do something!" cried Mr. Damon, beginning to take off his +collar and vest. "I'm choking!"</p> + +<p>"Lie down in the bottom of the car," suggested Mr. Sharp. "The smoke +won't trouble you so much there."</p> + +<p>The eccentric man, too startled, now, to use any of his "blessing" +expressions, did so.</p> + +<p>"Can't you start the motor?" asked Tom frantically, as he stuck to his +post, with his hand on the steering wheel, the elevation lever jammed +back as far as it would go.</p> + +<p>"I've done my best," answered the balloonist, gasping as he swallowed +some smoke. "I'm afraid—afraid it's all up with us. We should have +steered clear of this from the first. My, how it roars!"</p> + +<p>The crackling and snapping of the flames below them, as they fed on +the dry wood, which no rain had wet for weeks, was like the rush of +some great cataract. Up swirled the dark smoke-clouds, growing hotter +and hotter all the while as the craft came nearer and nearer to the +center of the conflagration.</p> + +<p>"We must rise higher!" cried Tom. "It's our only chance. Turn on the +gas machine full power, and fill the container. That will carry us +up!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's our only hope," muttered Mr. Sharp. "We must go up, but the +trouble is the gas doesn't generate so fast when there's too much +heat. We're bound to have to stay over this fiery pit for some time +yet."</p> + +<p>"We're going up a little!" spoke Tom hopefully, as he glanced at a +gauge near him. "We're fifteen hundred feet now, and we were only +twelve a while ago."</p> + +<p>"Good! Keep the elevation rudder as it is, and I'll see what I can do +with the gas," advised the balloonist. "It's our only hope," and he +hurried into the engine room, which, like the other parts of the +cabin, was now murky with choking vapor and soot.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the elevation gauge showed that they were falling. The +airship was going down.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" called Mr. Damon, from the cabin floor.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Tom, "unless the rudder has broken."</p> + +<p>He peered through the haze. No, the big elevation rudder was still in +place, but it seemed to have no effect on the shim</p> + +<p>"It's a down draught!" cried Mr. Sharp. "We're being sucked down. It +won't last but a few seconds. I've been in 'em before."</p> + +<p>He seemed to have guessed rightly, for, the next instant the airship +was shooting upward again, and relief came to the aeronauts, though it +was not much, for the heat was almost unbearable, and they had taken +off nearly all their clothing.</p> + +<p>"Lighten ship!" sung out Mr. Sharp. "Toss over all the things you +think we can spare, Tom. Some of the cases of provisions-we can get +more-if we need 'em. We must rise, and the gas isn't generating fast +enough!"</p> + +<p>There was no need for the young inventor at the steering wheel now, +for the craft simply could not be guided. It was swirled about, now +this way, now that, by the currents of heated air. At times it would +rise a considerable distance, only to be pulled down again, and, just +before Tom began to toss overboard some boxes of food, it seemed that +the end had come, for the craft went down so low that the upward +leaping tongues of flame almost reached the lower frame.</p> + +<p>"I'll help you," gasped Mr. Damon, and while he and Tom tossed from +the cabin windows some of their stores, Mr. Sharp was frantically +endeavoring to make the gas generate faster.</p> + +<p>It was slow work, but with the lightening of the ship their situation +improved. Slowly, so slowly that it seemed an age, the elevation +pointer went higher and higher on the dial.</p> + +<p>"Sixteen hundred feet!" sung out Tom, pausing for a look at the gauge. +"That's the best yet!"</p> + +<p>The heat was felt less, now, and every minute was improving their +situation. Slowly the hand moved. The gas was being made in larger +quantities now that the heat was less. Ten minutes more of agony, and +their danger was over. They were still above the burning area, but +sufficiently high so that only stray wisps of smoke enveloped them.</p> + +<p>"Whew! But that was the worst ever!" cried Tom, as he sank exhausted +on a bench, and wiped his perspiring face. "We sure were in a bad +way!"</p> + +<p>"I should say so," agreed Mr. Sharp. "And if we don't get a breeze we +may have to stay here for some time."</p> + +<p>"Why, can't you get that motor to work yet?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless +my gaiters, but I'm all in, as the boys say."</p> + +<p>"I'll have another try at the machine now," replied Mr. Sharp. +"Probably it will work now, after we're out of danger without the aid +of it."</p> + +<p>His guess proved correct, for, in a few minutes, with the aid of Tom, +the motor started, the propellers revolved, and the Red Cloud was sent +swiftly out of the fire zone.</p> + +<p>"Now we'd better take account of ourselves, our provisions, and the +ship," said Mr. Sharp, when they had flown about twenty miles, and +were much refreshed by the cooler atmosphere. "I don't believe the +craft is damaged any, except some of the braces may be warped by the +heat. As for the provisions, you threw over a lot; didn't you, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I had to."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess you did. Well, we'll make a landing."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it will be safe?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously. "We might +be fired upon again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's no danger of that. But I'll take precautions. I don't +want a big crowd around when we come down, so we'll pick out a +secluded place and land just at dusk. Then in the morning we can look +over the ship, and go to the nearest town to buy provisions. After +that we can continue our journey, and we'll steer clear of forest +fires after this."</p> + +<p>"And people who shoot at us," added Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I wish I knew what that was done for," and once again came that +puzzled look to the face of the balloonist.</p> + +<p>The airship gently descended that evening in a large level field, a +good landing being made. just before the descent Tom took an +observation and located, about two miles from the spot they selected +for an "anchorage," a good-sized village.</p> + +<p>"We can get provisions there," he announced.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we must not let it be known what they are for," said Mr. +Sharp, "or we'll have the whole population out here. I think this will +be a good plan: Tom, you and Mr. Damon go into town and buy the things +we need. I'll stay here with the airship, and look it all over. You +can arrange to have the stuff carted out here in the morning, and left +at a point say about a quarter of a mile away. Then we can carry it to +the ship. In that way no one will discover us, and we'll not be +bothered with curiosity-seekers."</p> + +<p>This was voted a good idea, and, when the landing had been made, and a +hasty examination showed that the ship had suffered no great damage +from the passage over the fire, the young inventor and Mr. Damon +started off.</p> + +<p>They soon found a good road, leading to town, and tramped along it in +the early evening. The few persons they met paid little attention to +them, save to bow in a friendly fashion, and, occasionally wish them +good evening.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where we are?" asked Tom, as they hurried along.</p> + +<p>"In some southern town, to judge by the voices of the people, and the +number of colored individuals we've met," answered Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Let's ask," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>"No, if you do they'll know we're strangers, and they may ask a lot of +questions."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess if it's a small place they'll know we're strangers soon +enough," commented Tom. "But when we get to the village itself we can +read the name on the store windows."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later found them in the midst of a typical southern +town. It was Berneau, North Carolina, according to the signs, they +saw.</p> + +<p>"Here's a restaurant," called Tom, as they passed a neat-appearing +one. "Let's go inside and get some supper before we buy our supplies."</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my flapjacks, but I am beginning +to feel hungry."</p> + +<p>The eating place was a good one, and Tom's predictions about their +being taken for strangers was verified, for, no sooner had they given +their orders than the pretty, white girl, who waited on the table +remarked</p> + +<p>"Ah reckon yo' all are from th' no'th; aren't yo'?"She smiled, as she +spoke, and Tom smiled back as he acknowledged it.</p> + +<p>"Have you a paper-a newspaper I could look at?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Ah guess Ah can find one," went on the girl. "Ah reckon yo' all are +from N' York. N' Yorkers are so desperant bent on readin' th' news." +Her tones were almost like those of a colored person.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're from a part of New York," was Tom's reply.</p> + +<p>When a newspaper was brought to him, after they had nearly finished +their meal, the young inventor rapidly scanned the pages. Something on +the front sheet, under a heading of big, black type caught his eye. He +started as he read it</p> + + +<blockquote><p>WANTED FOR ROBBERY!</p> + +<p>BANK LOOTERS ESCAPE IN RED AIRSHIP-FIRED AT</p> + +<p>BUT DISAPPEAR</p></blockquote> + + +<p>"Great Jehosophat!" exclaimed Tom, in a low voice. "What on earth can +this mean?"</p> + +<p>"What?" inquired Mr. Damon. "Has anything happened?"</p> + +<p>"Happened? I should say there had," was the answer. "Why, we're +accused of having robbed the Shopton Bank of seventy-five thousand +dollars the night before we left, and to have taken it away in the Red +Cloud. There's a general alarm out for us! Why this is awful!"</p> + +<p>"It's preposterous!" burst out Mr. Damon. "I'll have my lawyers sue +this paper. Bless my stocks and bonds, I!"</p> + +<p>"Hush! Not so loud," cautioned Tom, for the pretty waitress was +watching them curiously. "Here, read this, and then we'll decide what +to do. But one thing is certain, we must go back to Shopton at once to +clear ourselves of this accusation."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" murmured Mr. Damon, as he read the article rapidly. "Now I know +why they fired at us. They hoped to bring us down, capture us, and get +the five thousand dollars reward!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_18___Back_For_Vindication" id="Chapter_18___Back_For_Vindication" />Chapter 18 - Back For Vindication</h2> + + + +<p>Tom glanced around the restaurant. There were few persons in it save +himself and Mr. Damon. The pretty waitress was still regarding the two +curiously.</p> + +<p>"We ought to take that paper along with us, to show to Mr. Sharp," +said Tom, in a low voice to his friend. "I haven't had time to take it +all in myself, yet. Let's go. I've had enough to eat, haven't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. My appetite is gone now."</p> + +<p>As they arose, to pay their checks the girl advanced.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me where I can get a copy of this paper?" asked Tom, as +he laid down a generous tip on the table, for the girl. Her eyes +opened rather wide.</p> + +<p>"Yo' all are fo'gettin' some of yo' money." she said, in her broad, +southern tones. Tom thought her the prettiest girl he ever seen, +excepting Mary Nestor.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's for you," replied the young inventor. "It's a tip. Aren't +you in the habit of getting them down here?"</p> + +<p>"Not very often. Thank yo' all. But what did yo' all ask about that +paper?"</p> + +<p>"I asked where I could get a copy of it. There is something in it that +interests me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, an' Ah reckon Ah knows what it is," exclaimed the girl. "It's +about that airship with th' robbers in it!"</p> + +<p>"How do you know?" inquired Tom quickly, and he tried to seem cool, +though he felt the hot blood mounting to his cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ah saw yo' all readin' it. Everybody down heah is crazy about it. +We all think th' ship is comin' down this way, 'cause it says th' +robbers was intendin' to start south befo' they robbed th' bank. Ah +wish Ah could collect thet five thousand dollars. If Ah could see that +airship, I wouldn't work no mo' in this eatin' place. What do yo' all +reckon thet airship looks like?" and the girl gazed intently at Tom +and Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Why, bless my-" began the eccentric man, but Tom broke in hurriedly:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess it looks like most any other airship," for he feared that +if his companion used any of his odd expressions he might be +recognized, since our hero had not had time to read the article in the +paper through, and was not sure whether or not a description of +himself, Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp was given.</p> + +<p>"Well, Ah suah wish I could collect thet reward," went on the girl. +"Everybody is on th' lookout. Yo' all ain't see th' airship; have yo' +all?"</p> + +<p>"Where can we get a paper like this?" asked Tom, again, not wanting to +answer such a leading question.</p> + +<p>"Why, yo' all is suah welcome to that one," was the reply. "Ah guess +Ah can affo'd to give it to yo' all, after th' generous way yo' all +behaved to me. Take it, an' welcome. But are yo' all suah yo' are done +eatin' ? Yo' all left lots."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we had enough," replied Tom hurriedly. His sole aim now was to +get away-to consult with Mr. Sharp, and he needed the paper to learn +further details of the astonishing news. He and his friends accused of +looting the bank, and taking away seventy-five thousand dollars in the +airship! It was incredible! A reward of five thousand dollars offered +for their capture! They might be arrested any minute, yet they could +not go on without buying some provisions. What were they to do?</p> + +<p>Once outside the restaurant, Mr. Damon and Tom walked swiftly on. They +came to a corner where there was a street lamp, and there the young +inventor paused to scan the paper again. It was the copy of a journal +published in the nearby county seat, and contained quite a full +account of the affair.</p> + +<p>The story was told of how the bank had been broken into, the vault +rifled and the money taken. The first clue, it said, was given by a +youth named Andy Foger, who had seen a former acquaintance hanging +around the bank with burglar tools. Tom recognized the description of +himself as the "former acquaintance," but he could not understand the +rest.</p> + +<p>"Burglar tools? I wonder how Andy could say that?" he asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Wait until we get back, and we'll ask John Sharp," suggested his +companion. "This is very strange. I am going to sue some one for +spreading false reports about me! Bless my ledgers, why I have money +on deposit in that bank! To think that I would rob it!"</p> + +<p>"Poor dad!" murmured Tom. "This must be hard for him. But what about +ordering food? Maybe if we buy any they will trail us, find the +airship and capture it. I don't want to be arrested, even if I am +innocent, and I certainly don't want the airship to fall into the +hands of the police. They might damage it"</p> + +<p>"We must go see Mr. Sharp," declared Mr. Damon, and back to where the +Red Cloud was concealed they went.</p> + +<p>To say that the balloonist was astonished is putting it mildly. He was +even more excited than was Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Wait until I get hold of that Andy Foger!" he cried. "I'll make him +sweat for this! I see he's already laid claim to the reward," he +added, reading further along in the article. "He thinks he has put the +police on our trail."</p> + +<p>"So he seems to have done," added Tom. "The whole country has been +notified to look out for us," the paper says. "We're likely to be +fired upon whenever we pass over a city or a town."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll have to avoid them," declared the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"But we must go back," declared Tom.</p> + +<p>"Of course. Back to be vindicated. We'll have to give up our trip. My, +my! But this is a surprise!"</p> + +<p>"I don't see what makes Andy say he saw me with burglar tools," +commented Tom, with a puzzled air.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp thought for a moment. Then he exclaimed "It was that bag of +tools I sent you after-the long wrenches, the pliers, and the brace +and bits.You "</p> + +<p>"Of course!" cried Tom. "I remember now. The bag dropped and opened, +and Andy and Sam saw the tools. But the idea of taking them for +burglar tools!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose the burglars, whoever they were, did use tools +similar to those to break open the vault," put in Mr. Damon. "Andy +probably thought he was a smart lad to put the police on our track."</p> + +<p>"I'll put him on the track, when I return," declared Mr. Sharp. "Well, +now, what's to be done?"</p> + +<p>"We've got to have food," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I think we can manage that. I've been looking over the ship, +as best I could in the dark. It seems to be all right. We can start +early in the morning without anyone around here knowing we paid their +town a visit. You and Mr. Damon go back to town, Tom, and order some +stuff. Have the man leave it by the roadside early to-morrow morning. +Tell him it's for some travelers, who will stop and pick it up. Pay +him well, and tell him to keep quiet, as it's for a racing party. +That's true enough. We're going to race home to vindicate our +reputations. I think that will be all right."</p> + +<p>"The man may get suspicious," said Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I hope not," answered the balloonist. "We've got to take a chance, +anyhow."</p> + +<p>The plan worked well, however, the store keeper promising to have the +supplies on hand at the time and place mentioned. He winked as Tom +asked him to keep quiet about it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know yo' automobile fellers," he said with a laugh. "You want +to get some grub on the fly, so you won't have to stop, an' can beat +th' other fellow. I know you, fer I see them automobile goggles +stickin' out of your pocket."</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon each had a pair, to use when the wind was strong, +but the young inventor had forgotten about his. They now served him a +good turn, for they turned the thoughts of the storekeeper into a new +channel. The lad let it go at that, and, paying for such things as he +and Mr. Damon could not carry, left the store.</p> + +<p>The aeronauts passed an uneasy night. They raised their ship high in +the air, anchoring it by a rope fast to a big tree, and they turned on +no lights, for they did not want to betray their position. They +descended before it was yet daylight, and a little later hurried to +the place where the provisions were left. They found their supplies +safely on hand, and, carrying them into the airship, prepared to turn +back to Shopton.</p> + +<p>As the ship rose high in the air a crowd of negro laborers passing +through a distant field, saw it. At once they raised a commotion, +shouting and pointing to the wonderful sight.</p> + +<p>"We're discovered!" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"No matter," answered Mr. Sharp. "We'll soon be out of sight, and +we'll fly high the rest of this trip."</p> + +<p>Tom looked down on the fast disappearing little hamlet, and he thought +of the pretty girl in the restaurant.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_19___Wrecked" id="Chapter_19___Wrecked" />Chapter 19 - Wrecked</h2> + + + +<p>With her nose headed north, the Red Cloud swung along through the air. +Those on board were thinking of many things, but chief among them was +the unjust accusation that had been made against them, by an +irresponsible boy-the red-haired Andy Foger. They read the account in +the paper again, seeking to learn from it new things at each perusal.</p> + +<p>"It's just a lot of circumstantial evidence that's what it is," said +Tom. "I admit it might look suspicious to anyone who didn't know us, +but Andy Foger has certainly done the most mischief by his +conclusions. Burglar tools! The idea!"</p> + +<p>"I think I shall sue the bank for damages," declared Mr. Damon. "They +have injured my reputation by making this accusation against me. +Anyhow, I'll certainly never do any more business with them, and I'll +withdraw my ten thousand dollars deposit, as soon as we get back."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sharp doesn't seem to be accused of doing anything at all," +remarked Tom, reading the article for perhaps the tenth time.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess I'm a sort of general all-around bad man, who helped you +burglars to escape with the booty," answered the balloonist, with a +laugh. "I expect to be arrested along with you two."</p> + +<p>"But must we be arrested?" inquired Tom anxiously. "I don't like that +idea at all. We haven't done anything."</p> + +<p>"This is my plan," went on Mr. Sharp. "We'll get back to Shopton as +quickly as we can. We'll arrive at night, so no one will see us, and, +leaving the airship in some secluded spot, we'll go to the police and +explain matters. We can easily prove that we had nothing to do with +the robbery. Why we were all home the night it happened! Mr. Swift, +Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Baggert can testify to that."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Mr. Damon. "I guess they can. Bless my bank book, but +that seems a good plan. We'll follow it."</p> + +<p>Proceeding on the plan which they had decided was the best one, the +Red Cloud was sent high into the air. So high up was it that, at +tunes, a was above the clouds. Though this caused some little +discomfort at first, especially to Mr. Damon, he soon became used to +it, as did the others. And it had the advantage of concealing them +from the persons below who might be on the lookout.</p> + +<p>"For we don't want to be shot at again," explained Mr. Sharp. "It +isn't altogether healthy, and not very safe. If we keep high up they +can't see us; much less shoot at us. They'll take us for some big +bird. Then, too, we can go faster."</p> + +<p>"I suppose there will be another alarm sent out, from those negroes +having sighted us," ventured Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, but those colored fellows were so excited they may describe +us as having horns, hoofs and a tail, and their story may not be +believed. I'm not worrying about them. My chief concern is to drive +the Red Cloud for all she is worth. I want to explain some things back +there in Shopton."</p> + +<p>As if repenting of the way it had misbehaved over the forest fire, the +airship was now swinging along at a rapid rate. Seated in the cabin +the travelers would have really enjoyed the return trip had it not +been for the accusation hanging over them. The weather was fine and +clear, and as they skimmed along, now and then coming out from the +clouds, they caught glimpses below them of the earth above which they +were traveling. They had a general idea of their location, from +knowing the town where the paper had given them such astounding news, +and it was easy to calculate their rate of progress.</p> + +<p>After running about a hundred miles or so, at high speed Mr. Sharp +found it necessary to slow down the motor, as some of the new bearings +were heating. Still this gave them no alarm, as they were making good +time. They came to a stop that night, and calculated that by the next +evening, or two at the latest, they would be back in Shopton. But they +did not calculate on an accident.</p> + +<p>One of the cylinders on the big motor cracked, as they started up next +morning, and for some hours they had to hang in the air, suspended by +the gas in the container, while Mr. Sharp and Tom took out the damaged +part, and put in a spare one, the cylinders being cast separately. It +was dusk when they finished, and too late to start up, so they +remained about in the same place until the next day.</p> + +<p>Morning dawned with a hot humidness, unusual at that time of the year, +but partly accounted for by the fact that they were still within the +influence of the southern climate. With a whizz the big propellers +were set in motion, and, with Tom at the wheel, the ship being about +three miles in the air, to which height it had risen after the repairs +were made, the journey was recommenced.</p> + +<p>"It's cooler up here than down below," remarked Tom, as he shifted the +wheel and rudder a bit, in response to a gust of wind, that heeled the +craft over.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think we're going to have a storm," remarked Mr. Sharp, eyeing +the clouds with a professional air. "We may run ahead of it, or right +into it. We'll go down a bit, toward night, when there's less danger +of being shot."</p> + +<p>So far, on their return trip, they had not been low enough, in the day +time, to be in any danger from persons who hoped to earn the five +thousand dollars reward.</p> + +<p>The afternoon passed quickly, and it got dark early. There was a +curious hum to the wind, and, hearing it, Mr. Sharp began to go about +the ship, seeing that everything was fast and taut.</p> + +<p>"We're going to have a blow," he remarked, "and a heavy one, too. +We'll have to make everything snug, and be ready to go up or down, as +the case calls for."</p> + +<p>"Up or down?" inquired Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Yes. By rising we may escape the blow, or, by going below the strata +of agitated air, we may escape it."</p> + +<p>"How about rain?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you can get above rain, but you can't get below it, with the +law of gravitation working as it does at present. How's the gas +generator, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Seems to be all right," replied the young inventor, who had +relinquished the wheel to the balloonist.</p> + +<p>They ate an early supper, and, hardly had the dishes been put away, +when from the west, where there was a low-flying bank of clouds, there +came a mutter of thunder. A little later there was a dull, red +illumination amid the rolling masses of vapor.</p> + +<p>"There's the storm, and she's heading right this way," commented Mr. +Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Can't you avoid it?" asked Mr. Damon, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I could, if I knew how high it was, but I guess we'll wait and see +how it looks as we get closer."</p> + +<p>The airship was flying on, and the storm, driven by a mighty wind, was +rushing to meet it. Already there was a sighing, moaning sound in the +wire and wooden braces of the Red Cloud.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came such a blast that it heeled the ship over on her +side.</p> + +<p>"Shift the equilibrium rudders!" shouted Mr. Sharp to Tom, turning the +wheel and various levers over to the lad. "I'm going to get more speed +out of the motor!"</p> + +<p>Tom acted just in time, and, after bobbing about like a cork on the +water, the ship was righted, and sent forging ahead, under the +influence of the propellers worked at top speed. Nor was this any too +much, for it needed all the power of the big engine to even partially +overcome the force of the wind that was blowing right against the Red +Cloud. Of course they might have turned and flown before it, but they +wanted to go north, not south-they wanted to face their accusers.</p> + +<p>Then, after the first fury of the blast had spent itself, there came a +deluge of rain, following a dazzling glare of lightning and a bursting +crash of thunder.</p> + +<p>In spite of the gale buffeting her, the airship was making good +progress. The skill of Tom and the balloonist was never shown to +better advantage. All around them the storm raged, but through it the +craft kept on her way. Nothing could be seen but pelting sheets of +water and swirling mist, yet onward the ship was driven.</p> + +<p>The thunder was deafening, and the lightning nearly blinded them, +until the electrics were switched on, flooding the cabin with +radiance. Inside the car they were snug and dry, though the pitching +of the craft was like that of a big liner in the trough of the ocean +waves.</p> + +<p>"Will she weather it, do you think?" called Mr. Damon, in the ear of +Mr. Sharp, shouting so as to be heard above the noise of the elements, +and the hum of the motor.</p> + +<p>The balloonist nodded.</p> + +<p>"She's a good ship," he answered proudly.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken when there came a crash louder than any that had +preceded, and the flash of rosy light that accompanied it seemed to +set the whole heavens on fire. At the same time there was violent +shock to the ship.</p> + +<p>"We're hit! Struck by lightning!" yelled Tom.</p> + +<p>"We're falling!" cried Mr. Damon an instant later.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp looked at the elevation gauge. The hand was slowly swinging +around. Down, down dropped the Red Cloud. She was being roughly +treated by the storm.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we're wrecked!" said the balloonist in a low voice, +scarcely audible above the roar of the tempest. Following the great +crash had come a comparatively light bombardment from the sky +artillery.</p> + +<p>"Use the gliding rudder, Tom," called Mr. Sharp, a moment later. "We +may fall, but we'll land as easily as possible."</p> + +<p>The wind, the rain, the lightning and thunder continued. Down, down +sank the ship. Its fall was somewhat checked by the rudder Tom swung +into place, and by setting the planes at a different angle. The motor +had been stopped, and the propellers no longer revolved. In the +confusion and darkness it was not safe to run ahead, with the danger +of oolliding with unseen objects on the earth.</p> + +<p>They tried to peer from the windows, but could see nothing. A moment +later, as they stared at each other with fear in their eyes, there +came a shock. The ship trembled from end to end.</p> + +<p>"We've landed!" cried Tom, as he yanked back on the levers. The +airship came to a stop.</p> + +<p>"Now to see where we are," said Mr. Sharp grimly, "and how badly we +are wrecked."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_20___Tom_Gets_A_Clue" id="Chapter_20___Tom_Gets_A_Clue" />Chapter 20 - Tom Gets A Clue</h2> + + + +<p>Out of the cabin of the now stationary airship hurried the three +travelers; out into the pelting rain, which was lashed into their +faces by the strong wind. Tom was the first to emerge.</p> + +<p>"We're on something solid!" he cried, stamping his feet. "A rock, I +guess."</p> + +<p>"Gracious, I hope we're not on a rock in the midst of a river!" +exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my soul, though! The water does seem to be +running around my ankles."</p> + +<p>"There's enough rain to make water run almost up to our necks," called +Mr. Sharp, above the noise of the storm. "Tom, can you make out where +we are?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly. Is the ship all right?"</p> + +<p>"I can't see very well, but there appears to be a hole in the gas +container. A big one, too, or we wouldn't have fallen so quickly."</p> + +<p>The plight of the travelers of the air was anything but enviable. They +were wet through, for it needed only a few minutes exposure to the +pelting storm to bring this about. They could not tell, in the midst +of the darkness, where they were, and they almost feared to move for +fear they might be on top of some rock or precipice, over which they +might tumble if they took a false step.</p> + +<p>"Let's get back inside the ship," proposed Mr. Damon. "It's warm and +dry there, at all events. Bless my umbrella, I don't know when I've +been so wet!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going in until I find out where we are," declared Tom. "Wait +a minute, and I'll go in and get an electric flash lantern. That will +show us," for the lightning had ceased with the great crash that +seemed to have wrecked the Red Cloud. The rain still kept up, however, +and there was a distant muttering of thunder, while it was so black +that had not the lights in the cabin of the airship been faintly +glowing they could hardly have found the craft had they moved ten feet +away from it.</p> + +<p>Tom soon returned with the portable electric lamp, operated by dry +batteries. He flashed it on the surface of where they were standing, +and uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"We're on a roof!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"A roof?" repeated Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Yes; the roof of some large building, and what you thought was a +river is the rain water running off it. See!"</p> + +<p>The young inventor held the light down so his companions could observe +the surface of that upon which the airship rested. There was no doubt +of it. They were on top of a large building.</p> + +<p>"If we're on a roof we must be in the midst of a city," objected Mr. +Damon. "But I can't see any lights around, and we would see them if we +were in a city, you know."</p> + +<p>"Maybe the storm put the lights out of business," suggested Mr. Sharp. +"That often occurs."</p> + +<p>"I know one way we can find out for certain," went on Tom.</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Start up our search lamp, and play it all around. We can't make sure +how large this roof is in the dark, and it's risky trying to trace the +edges by walking around."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it would be risky to start our searchlight going," objected +Mr. Sharp. "People would see it, and there'd be a crowd up here in +less than no time, storm or no storm. No, we've got to keep dark until +I can see what's the matter. We must leave here before daylight."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we can't?" asked Mr. Damon. "The crowds will be sure to see +us then, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"I am pretty sure we can get away," was the opinion of the balloonist. +"Even if our gas container is so damaged that it will not sustain us, +we are still an aeroplane, and this roof being flat will make a good +place to start from. No, we can leave as soon as this storm lets up a +little."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going to have a look and find out what sort of a building +this is," declared Tom, and, while Mr. Sharp began a survey, as well +as he could in the dark, of the airship, the young inventor proceeded +cautiously to ascertain the extent of the roof.</p> + +<p>The rain was not coming down quite so hard now, and Tom found it +easier to see. Mr. Damon, finding he could do nothing to help, went +back into the cabin, blessing himself and his various possessions at +the queer predicament in which they found themselves.</p> + +<p>Flashing his light every few seconds, Tom walked on until he came to +one edge of the roof. It was very large, as he could judge by the time +it took him to traverse it. There was a low parapet at the edge. He +peered over, and an expanse of dark wall met his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Must have come to one side," he reasoned. "I want to get to the +front. Then, maybe, I can see a sign that will tell me what I want to +know."</p> + +<p>The lad turned to the left, and, presently came to another parapet. It +was higher, and ornamented with terra-cotta bricks. This, evidently, +was the front. As Tom peered over the edge of the little raised ledge, +there flashed out below him hundreds of electric lights. The city +illuminating plant was being repaired. Then Tom saw flashing below him +one of those large signs made of incandescent lights. It was in front +of the building, and as soon as our hero saw the words he knew where +the airship had landed. For what he read, as he leaned over, was this:</p> + + +<blockquote><p>MIDDLEVILLE ARCADE</p></blockquote> + + +<p>Tom gave a cry.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" called Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I've discovered something," answered Tom, hurrying up to his friend. +"We're on top of the Middleville Arcade building."</p> + +<p>"What does that mean?"</p> + +<p>"It means that we're not so very far from home, and in the midst of a +fairly large city. But it means more than that."</p> + +<p>"What?" demanded the balloonist, struck by an air of excitement about +the lad, for, as Tom stood in the subdued glow of the lights from one +of the airship's cabin windows, all the others having been darkened as +the storm slackened, his, eyes shone brightly.</p> + +<p>"This is the building where Anson Morse, one of the gang that robbed +dad, once had an office," went on Tom eagerly. "That was brought out +at the trial. And it's the place where they used to do some of their +conspiring. Maybe some of the crowd are here now laying low."</p> + +<p>"Well, if they are, we don't want anything to do with that gang," said +Mr. Sharp. "We can't arrest them. Besides I've found out that our ship +is all right, after all. We can proceed as soon as we like. There is +only a small leak in the gas container. It was the generator machine +that was put out of business by the lightning, and I've repaired it."</p> + +<p>"I want to see if I can get any trace of the rascals. Maybe I could +learn something from the janitor of the Arcade about them. The janitor +is probably here."</p> + +<p>"But why do you want to get any information about that gang?"</p> + +<p>"Because," answered Tom, and, as Mr. Damon at that moment started to +come from the cabin of the airship, the lad leaped forward and +whispered the remainder of the sentence into the ear of the +balloonist.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean it!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp, in a tense whisper. Tom +nodded vigorously.</p> + +<p>"But how can you enter the building?" asked the other. "You can't drop +over the edge."</p> + +<p>"Down the scuttle," answered Tom. "There must be one on the roof, for +they have to come up here at times. We can force the lock, if +necessary. I want to enter the building and see where Morse had his +office."</p> + +<p>"All right. Go ahead. I'll engage Mr. Damon here so he won't follow +you. It will be great news for him. Go ahead."</p> + +<p>Under pretense of wanting the help of the eccentric man in completing +the repairs he had started, Mr. Sharp took Mr. Damon back into the +cabin. Tom, getting a big screwdriver from an outside toolbox, +approached the scuttle on the roof. He could see it looming up in the +semidarkness, a sort of box, covering a stairway that led down into +the building. The door was locked, but Tom forced it, and felt +justified. A few minutes later, cautiously flashing his light, almost +like a burglar he thought, he was prowling around the corridors of the +office structure.</p> + +<p>Was it deserted? That was what he wanted to know. He knew the office +Morse had formerly occupied was two floors from the top. Tom descended +the staircase, trying to think up some excuse to offer, in case he met +the watchman or janitor. But he encountered no one. As he reached the +floor where he knew Morse and his gang were wont to assemble, he +paused and listened. At first he heard nothing, then, as the sound of +the storm became less he fancied he heard the murmur of voices.</p> + +<p>"Suppose it should be some of them?" whispered Tom.</p> + +<p>He went forward, pausing at almost every other step to listen. The +voices became louder. Tom was now nearly at the office, where Morse +had once had his quarters. Now he could see it, and his heart gave a +great thump as he noticed that the place was lighted. The lad could +read the name on the door. "Industrial Development Company." That was +the name of a fake concern headed by Morse. As our hero looked he saw +the shadows of two men thrown on the ground glass.</p> + +<p>"Some one's in there!" he whispered to himself. He could now hear the +voices much plainer. They came from the room, but the lad could not +distinguish them as belonging to any of the gang with whom he had come +in contact, and who had escaped from jail.</p> + +<p>The low murmur went on for several seconds.</p> + +<p>The listener could make out no words. Suddenly the low, even mumble +was broken. Some one cried out "There's got to be a divvy soon. +There's no use letting Morse hold that whole seventy-five thousand any +longer. I'm going to get what's coming to me, or-"</p> + +<p>"Hush!" some one else cried. "Be quiet!"</p> + +<p>"No, I won't! I want my share. I've waited long enough. If I don't get +what's coming to me inside of a week, I'll go to Shagmon myself and +make Morse whack up. I helped on the job, and I want my money!"</p> + +<p>"Will you be quiet?" pleaded another, and, at that instant Tom heard +some one's hand on the knob. The door opened a crack, letting out a +pencil of light. The men were evidently coming out. The young inventor +did not wait to hear more. He had a clue now, and, running on tiptoes, +he made his way to the staircase and out of the scuttle on the roof.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_21___On_The_Trail" id="Chapter_21___On_The_Trail" />Chapter 21 - On The Trail</h2> + + + +<p>"What's the matter, Tom?" asked Mr. Sharp, as the lad came hurrying +along the roof, having taken the precaution to fasten the scuttle door +as well as he could. "You seem excited.""So would you, if you had +heard what I did."</p> + +<p>"What? You don't mean that some of the gang is down there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and what's more I'm on the trail of the thieves who robbed the +Shopton Bank of the seventy-five thousand dollars!"</p> + +<p>"No! You don't mean it!"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better tell Mr. Damon. He's in the cabin."</p> + +<p>"Of course I'll tell him. He's as much concerned as I am. He wants to +be vindicated. Isn't it great luck, though?"</p> + +<p>"But you haven't landed the men yet. Do you mean to say that the same +gang-the Happy Harry crowd-robbed the bank?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, from what I heard. But come inside and I'll tell you all +about it."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we start the ship first? It's ready to run. There wasn't as +much the matter with it as I feared. The storm is over now, and we'll +be safer up in the air than on this roof. Did you get all the +information you could?"</p> + +<p>"All I dared to. The men were coming out, so I had to run. They were +quarreling, and when that happens among thieves-"</p> + +<p>"Why honest men get their dues, everyone knows that proverb," +interrupted Mr. Damon, again emerging from the cabin. "But bless my +quotation marks, I should think you'd have something better to do than +stand there talking proverbs."</p> + +<p>"We have," replied Mr. Sharp quickly. "We're going to start the ship, +arid then we have some news for you. Tom, you take the steering wheel, +and I'll start the gas machine. We'll rise to some distance before +starting the propellers, and then we won't create any excitement."</p> + +<p>"But what news are you going to tell me?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless my +very existence, but you get me all excited, and then you won't gratify +my curiosity."</p> + +<p>"In a little while we will," responded Mr. Sharp. Lively now, Tom. +Some one may see this airship on top of the building, as it's getting +so much lighter now, after the storm."</p> + +<p>The outburst of the elements was almost over and Tom taking another +look over the edge of the roof, could see persons moving about in the +street below. The storm clouds were passing and a faint haze showed +where a moon would soon make its appearance, thus disclosing the craft +so oddly perched upon the roof. There was need of haste.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the Red Cloud could be sent aloft without the use of the +propellers, for the gas would serve to lift her. It had been found +that lightning had struck the big, red aluminum container, but the +shock had been a comparatively slight one, and, as the tank was +insulated from the rest of the ship no danger resulted to the +occupants. A rent was made in two or three of the gas compartments, +but the others remained intact, and, when an increased pressure of the +vapor was used the ship was almost as buoyant as before.</p> + +<p>Into the cabin the three travelers hurried, dripping water at every +step, for there was no time to change clothes. Then, with Tom and Mr. +Sharp managing the machinery, the craft slowly rose. It was well that +they had started for, when a few hundred feet above the roof, the moon +suddenly shone from behind a bank of clouds and would most certainly +have revealed their position to persons in the street. As it was +several were attracted by the sight of some great object in the air. +They called the attention of others to it, but, by the time glasses +and telescopes had been brought to bear, the Red Cloud was far away.</p> + +<p>"Dry clothes now, some hot drinks, and then Tom will tell us his +secret," remarked Mr. Sharp, and, with the great ship swaying high +above the city of Middleville Tom told what he had heard in the office +building.</p> + +<p>"They are the thieves who looted the bank, and caused us to be +unjustly accused," he finished. "If we can capture them we'll get the +reward, and turn a neat trick on Andy Foger and his cronies."</p> + +<p>"But how can you capture them?" asked Mr. Damon. "You don't know where +they are."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not where Morse and the men who have the money are. But I +have a plan. It's this: We'll go to some quiet place, leave the +airship, and then inform the authorities of our suspicions. They can +come here and arrest the men who still seem to be hanging out in +Morse's office. Then we can get on the trail of this Shagmon, who +seems to be the person in authority this time, though I never heard of +him before.</p> + +<p>He seems to have the money, according to what one of the men in the +office said, and he's the man we want."</p> + +<p>"Shagmon!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Yes, Shagmon. The fellow I heard +talking 'said he'd go to Shagmon and make Morse whack up. Shagmon may +be the real head of the gang."</p> + +<p>"Ha! I have it!" cried Mr. Damon suddenly. "I wonder I didn't think of +it before. Shagmon is the headquarters, not the head of the gang!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Tom, much excited.</p> + +<p>"I mean that there's a town called Shagmon about fifty miles from +here. That's what the fellow in the office meant. He is going to the +town of Shagmon and make Morse whack up. That's where Morse is! That's +where the gang is hiding! That's where the money is! Hurrah, Tom, +we're on the trail!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_22___The_Sheriff_On_Board" id="Chapter_22___The_Sheriff_On_Board" />Chapter 22 - The Sheriff On Board</h2> + + + +<p>The announcement of Mr. Damon came as a great surprise to Tom and Mr. +Sharp. They had supposed that the reference to Shagmon was to a +person, and never dreamed that it was to a locality. But Mr. Damon's +knowledge of geography stood them in good stead.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the first thing to do?" asked Tom, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"The first thing would be to go to Shagmon, or close to it, I should +say," remarked Mr. Sharp. "In what direction is it, Mr. Damon?"</p> + +<p>"Northwest from where we were. It's a county seat, and that will suit +our plans admirably, for we can call on the sheriff for help."</p> + +<p>"That is if we locate the gang," put in Tom. "I fancy it will be no +easy job, though. How are we going about it?"</p> + +<p>"Let's first get to Shagmon," suggested the balloonist. "We'll select +some quiet spot for a landing, and then talk matters over. We may +stumble on the gang, just as you did, Tom, on the men in the office."</p> + +<p>"No such good luck, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think we'll all be better for a little sleep," declared the +eccentric man. "Bless my eyelids but I'm tired out."</p> + +<p>As there was no necessity for standing watch, when the airship was so +high up as to be almost invisible, they all turned in, and were soon +sleeping soundly, though Tom had hard work at first to compose +himself, for he was excited at the prospect of capturing the +scoundrels, recovering the money for the bank, and clearing his good +name, as well as those of his friends.</p> + +<p>In the morning careful calculations were made to enable the travelers +to tell when they had reached a point directly over the small city of +Shagmon, and, with the skill of the veteran balloonist to aid them, +this was accomplished. The airship was headed in the proper direction, +and, about ten o'clock, having made out by using telescopes, that +there was plenty of uninhabited land about the city, the craft was +sent aloft again, out of a large crowd that had caught sight of it. +For it was the intention of the travelers not to land until after +dark, as they wanted to keep their arrival quiet. There were two +reasons for this. One was that the whole country was eager to arrest +them, to claim the reward offered by the bank, and they did not want +this to happen. The other reason was that they wanted to go quietly +into town, tell the sheriff their story, and enlist his aid.</p> + +<p>All that day the Red Cloud consorted with the masses of fleecy vapor, +several miles above the earth, a position being maintained, as nearly +as could be judged by instruments, over a patch of woodland where Mr. +Sharp had decided to land, as there were several large clearings in +it. Back and forth above the clouds, out of sight, the airship drifted +lazily to and fro; sometimes, when she got too far off her course, +being brought back to the right spot by means of the propellers.</p> + +<p>It was tedious waiting, but they felt it was the only thing to do. Mr. +Sharp and Tom busied themselves making adjustments to several parts of +apparatus that needed it. Nothing could be done toward repairing the +hole in the aluminum container until a shop or shed was reached, but +the ship really did not need these repairs to enable it to be used. +Mr. Damon was fretful, and "blessed" so many things during the course +of the day that there seemed to be nothing left. Dinner and supper +took up some time, really good meals being served by Tom, who was +temporarily acting as cook. Then they anxiously waited for darkness, +when they could descend.</p> + +<p>"I hope the moon isn't too bright," remarked Mr. Sharp, as he went +carefully over the motor once more, for he did not want it to balk +again. "If it shines too much it will discover us."</p> + +<p>"But a little light would be a fine thing, and show us a good place to +land," argued Tom.</p> + +<p>Fortune seemed to favor the adventurers. There was a hazy light from +the moon, which was covered by swiftly moving dark clouds, now and +then, a most effective screen for the airship, as its great, moving +shape, viewed from the earth, resembled nothing so much as one of the +clouds.</p> + +<p>They made a good landing in a little forest glade, the craft, under +the skillful guidance of Mr. Sharp and Tom, coming down nicely.</p> + +<p>"Now for a trip to town to notify the sheriff," said Mr. Sharp. "Tom, +I think you had better go alone. You can explain matters, and Mr. +Damon and I will remain here until you come back. I should say what +you had best do, would be to get the sheriff to help you locate the +gang of bank robbers. They're in this vicinity and he ought to be +able, with his deputies, to find them."</p> + +<p>"I'll ask him," replied Tom, as he set off.</p> + +<p>It was rather a lonely walk into the city, from the woods where the +airship had landed, but Tom did not mind it, and, reaching Shagmon, he +inquired his way to the home of the sheriff, for it was long after +office hours. He heard, as he walked along the streets, many persons +discussing the appearance of the airship that morning, and he was glad +they had planned to land after dark, for more than one citizen was +regretting that he had not had a chance to get the five thousand +dollars reward offered for the arrest of the passengers in the Red +Cloud.</p> + +<p>Tom found the sheriff, Mr. Durkin by name, a genial personage. At the +mention of the airship the official grew somewhat excited.</p> + +<p>"Are you one of the fellows that looted the bank?" he inquired, when +Tom told him how he and his friends had arrived at Shagmon.</p> + +<p>The young inventor denied the impeachment, and told his story. He +ended up with a request for the sheriff's aid, at the same time asking +if the officer knew where such a gang as the Happy Harry one might be +in hiding.</p> + +<p>"You've come just at the right time, young man," was the answer of +Sheriff Durkin, when he was assured of the honesty of Tom's +statements. "I've been on the point, for the last week, of raiding a +camp of men, who have settled at a disused summer resort about ten +miles from here. I think they're running a gambling game. But I +haven't been able to get any evidence, and every time I sent out a +posse some one warns the men, and we can find nothing wrong. I believe +these men are the very ones you want. If we could only get to them +without their suspecting it, I think I'd have them right."</p> + +<p>"We can do that, Sheriff."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Go in our airship! You come with us, and we'll put you right over +their camp, where you can drop down on their heads."</p> + +<p>"Good land, I never rode in an automobile even, let alone an airship!" +went on the officer. "I'd be scared out of my wits, and so would my +deputies."</p> + +<p>"Send the deputies on ahead," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>The sheriff hesitated. Then he slapped his thigh with his big hand.</p> + +<p>"By golly! I'll go you!" he declared. "I'll try capturing criminals in +an airship for the first, time in my life! Lead the way, young man!"</p> + +<p>An hour later Sheriff Durkin was aboard the Red Cloud, and plans were +being talked of for the capture of the bank robbers, or at least for +raiding the camp where the men were supposed to be.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_23___On_To_The_Camp" id="Chapter_23___On_To_The_Camp" />Chapter 23 - On To The Camp</h2> + + + +<p>"Well, you sure have got a fine craft here," remarked Sheriff Durkin, +as he looked over the airship after Tom and his friends had told of +their voyage. "It will be quite up-to-date to raid a gang of bank +robbers in a flying machine, but I guess it will be the only way we +can catch those fellows. Now I'll go back to town, and the first thing +in the morning I'll round-up my posse and start it off. The men can +surround the camp, and lay quiet until we arrive in this ship. Then, +when we descend on the heads of the scoundrels, right out of the sky, +so to speak, my men can close in, and bag them all."</p> + +<p>"That's a good plan," commented Mr. Sharp, "but are you sure these are +the men we want? It's pretty vague, I think, but of course the clue +Tom got is pretty slim; merely the name Shagmon."</p> + +<p>"Well, this is Shagmon," went on the sheriff, "and, as I told your +young friend, I've been trying for some time to bag the men at the +summer camp. They number quite a few, and if they don't do anything +worse, they run a gambling game there. I'm pretty sure, if the bank +robbers are in this vicinity, they're in that camp. Of course all the +men there may not have been engaged in looting the vault, and they may +not all know of it, but it won't do any harm to round-up the whole +bunch."</p> + +<p>After a tour of the craft, and waiting to take a little refreshment +with his new friends, the sheriff left, promising to come as early on +the morrow as possible.</p> + +<p>"Let's go to bed," suggested Mr. Sharp, after a bit. "We've got hard +work ahead of us tomorrow."</p> + +<p>They were up early, and, in the seclusion of the little glade in the +woods, Tom and Mr. Sharp went over every part of the airship.</p> + +<p>The sheriff arrived about nine o'clock, and announced that he had +started off through the woods, to surround the camp, twenty-five men.</p> + +<p>"They'll be there at noon," Mr. Durkin said, "and will close in when I +give the signal, which will be two shots fired. I heard just before I +came here that there are some new arrivals at the camp."</p> + +<p>"Maybe those are the men I overheard talking in the office building," +suggested Tom. "They probably came to get their share. Well, we must +swoop down on them before they have time to distribute the money."</p> + +<p>"That's what!" agreed the county official. Mr. Durkin was even more +impressed by the airship in the daytime than he had been at night. He +examined every part, and when the time came to start, he was almost as +unconcerned as any of the three travelers who had covered many +hundreds of miles in the air.</p> + +<p>"This is certainly great!" cried the sheriff, as the airship rose +swiftly under the influence of the powerful gas.</p> + +<p>As the craft went higher and higher his enthusiasm grew. He was not +the least afraid, but then Sheriff Durkin was accounted a nervy +individual under all circumstances.</p> + +<p>"Lay her a little off to the left," the officer advised Tom who was at +the steering wheel. "The main camp is right over there. How long +before we will reach it?"</p> + +<p>"We can get there in about fifteen minutes, if we run at top speed," +answered the lad, his hand on the switch that controlled the motor. +"Shall we?"</p> + +<p>"No use burning up the air. Besides, my men have hardly had time to +surround the camp. It's in deep woods. If I were you I'd get right +over it, and then rise up out of sight so they can't see you. Then, +when it's noon you can go down, I'll fire the signal and the fun will +commence-that is, fun for us, but not so much for those chaps, I +fancy," and the sheriff smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>The sheriff's plan was voted a good one, and, accordingly, the ship, +after nearing a spot about over the camp, was sent a mile or two into +the air, hovering as nearly as possible over one spot.</p> + +<p>Shortly before twelve, the sheriff having seen to the weapons he +brought with him, gave the signal to descend. Down shot the Red Cloud +dropping swiftly when the gas was allowed to escape from the red +container, and also urged toward the earth by the deflected rudder.</p> + +<p>"Are you all ready?" cried the sheriff, looking at his watch.</p> + +<p>"All ready," replied Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Then here goes," went on the officer, drawing his revolver, and +firing two shots in quick succession.</p> + +<p>Two shots from the woods below answered him. Faster dropped the Red +Cloud toward the camp of the criminals.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_24___The_Raid" id="Chapter_24___The_Raid" />Chapter 24 - The Raid</h2> + + + +<p>"Look for a good place to land!" cried Mr. Sharp to Tom. "Any small, +level place will do. Turn on the gas full power as soon as you feel +the first contact, and then shut it off so as to hold her down. Then +jump out and take a hand in the fight!"</p> + +<p>"That's right," cried the sheriff. "Fight's the word! They're breaking +from cover now," he added, as he looked over the side of the cabin, +from one of the windows. "The rascals have taken the alarm!"</p> + +<p>The airship was descending toward a little glade in the woods +surrounding the old picnic ground. Men, mostly of the tramp sort, +could be seen running to and fro.</p> + +<p>"I hope my deputies close in promptly," murmured the sheriff. "There's +a bigger bunch there than I counted on."</p> + +<p>>From the appearance of the gang rushing about it seemed as if there +were at least fifty of them. Some of the fellows caught sight of the +airship, and, with yells, pointed upward.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer to the earth settled the Red Cloud. The criminals in +the camp were running wildly about. Several squads of them darted +through the woods, only to come hurriedly back, where they called to +their companions.</p> + +<p>"Ha! My men are evidently on the job!" exclaimed the sheriff. "They +are turning the rascals back!"</p> + +<p>Some of the gang were so alarmed at the sight of the great airship +settling down on their camp, that they could only stand and stare at +it. Others were gathering sticks and stones, as if for resistance, and +some could be seen to have weapons. Off to one side was a small hut, +rather better than the rest of the tumbledown shacks in which the +tramps lived. Tom noticed this, and saw several men gathered about it. +One seemed familiar to the lad. He called the attention of Mr. Damon to +the fellow.</p> + +<p>"Do you know him?" asked Tom eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Bless my very existence! If it isn't Anson Morse! One of the gang!" +cried the eccentric man.</p> + +<p>"That's what I thought," agreed Tom. "The bank robbers are here," he +added, to the sheriff.</p> + +<p>"If we only recover the money we'll be doing well," remarked Mr. +Sharp.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a shout from the fringe of woods surrounding the +camp, and an instant later there burst from the bushes a number of +men.</p> + +<p>"My posse!" cried the sheriff. "We ought to be down now!"</p> + +<p>The airship was a hundred feet above the ground, but Tom, opening +wider the gas outlet, sent the craft more quickly down. Then, just as +it touched the earth, he forced a mass of vapor into the container, +making the ship buoyant so as to reduce the shock.</p> + +<p>An instant later the ship was stationary.</p> + +<p>Out leaped the sheriff.</p> + +<p>"Give it to'em, men!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>With a yell his men responded, and fired a volley in the air.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Tom!" called Mr. Sharp. "We'll make for the hut where you +saw Morse."</p> + +<p>"I'll come too! I'll come too!" cried Mr. Damon, rushing along as fast +as he could, a seltzer bottle in either hand.</p> + +<p>Tom's chief interest was to reach the men he suspected were the bank +robbers. The lad dashed through the woods toward the hut near which he +had seen Morse. He and Mr. Sharp reached it about the same time. As +they came in front of it out dashed Happy Harry, the tramp. He was +followed by Morse and the man named Featherton. The latter carried a +black valise.</p> + +<p>"Hey! Drop that!" shouted Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Drop nothing!" yelled the man.</p> + +<p>"Go on! Go on!" urged Morse. "Take to the woods! We'll deal with these +fellows!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you will, eh?" shouted Tom, and remembering his football days he +made a dive between Morse and Happy Harry for the man with the bag, +which he guessed contained the stolen money. The lad made a good +tackle, and grabbed Featherton about the legs. He went down in a heap, +with Tom on top. Our hero was feeling about for the valise, when he +felt a stunning blow on the back of his head. He turned over quickly +to see Morse in the act of delivering a second kick. Tom grew faint, +and dimly saw the leader of the gang reach down for the valise.</p> + +<p>This gave our hero sudden energy. He was not going to lose everything, +when it was just within his grasp. Conquering, by a strong effort, his +feeling of dizziness, he scrambled to his feet, and made a grab for +Morse. The latter fended him off, but Tom came savagely back at him, +all his fighting blood up. The effects of the cowardly blow were +passing off.</p> + +<p>The lad managed to get one hand on the handle of the bag.</p> + +<p>"Let go!" cried Morse, and he dealt Tom a blow in the face. It +staggered the youth, but he held on grimly, and raised his left hand +and arm as a guard. At the same time he endeavored to twist the valise +loose from Morse's hold. The man raised his foot to kick Tom, but at +that moment there was a curious hissing sound, and a stream of frothy +liquid shot over the lad's head right into the face of the man, +blinding him.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Take that! And more of it!" shouted Mr. Damon, and a second +stream of seltzer squirted into the face of Morse.</p> + +<p>With a yell of rage he let go his hold of the satchel, and Tom +staggered back with it. The lad saw Mr. Damon rushing toward the now +disabled leader, playing both bottles of seltzer on him. Then, when +all the liquid was gone the eccentric man began to beat Morse over the +head and shoulders with the heavy bottles until the scoundrel begged +for mercy.</p> + +<p>Tom was congratulating himself on his success in getting the bag when +Happy Harry, the tramp, rushed at him.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll take that!" he roared, and, wheeling Tom around, at the +same time striking him full in the face, the ugly man made a grab for +the valise.</p> + +<p>His hand had hardly touched it before he went down like a log, the +sound of a powerful blow causing Tom to look up. He saw Mr. Sharp +standing over the prostrate tramp, who had been cleanly knocked out.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right, Tom?" asked the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"Yes-trifle dizzy, that's all-I've got the money!"</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>Tom opened the valise. A glance was enough to show that it was stuffed +with bills.</p> + +<p>Happy Harry showed signs of coming to, and Mr. Sharp, with a few turns +of a rope he had brought along, soon secured him. Morse was too +exhausted to fight more, for the seltzer entering his mouth and nose, +had deprived him of breath, and he fell an easy prisoner to Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Morse was soon tied up. The other members of the Happy Harry gang had +escaped.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the sheriff and his men were having a fight with the crowd +of tramps, but as the posse was determined and the criminals mostly of +the class known as "hobos," the battle was not a very severe one. +Several of the sheriff's men were slightly injured, however, and a few +of the tramps escaped.</p> + +<p>"A most successful raid," commented the sheriff, when quiet was +restored, and a number of prisoners were lined up, all tied securely. +"Did you get the money?"</p> + +<p>"Almost all of it," answered Tom, who, now that Morse and Happy Harry +were securely tied, had busied himself, with the aid of Mr. Sharp and +Mr. Damon, in counting the bills. "Only about two thousand dollars are +missing. I think the bank will be glad enough to charge that to profit +and loss."</p> + +<p>"I guess so," added the sheriff. "I'm certainly much obliged to you +for the use of your airship. Otherwise the raid wouldn't have been so +successful. Well, now we'll get the prisoners to jail."</p> + +<p>It was necessary to hire rigs from nearby farmers to accomplish this. +As for Morse and Happy Harry, they were placed in the airship, and, +under guard of the sheriff and two deputies, were taken to the county +seat. The criminals were too dazed over the rough treatment they had +received, and over their sudden capture, to notice the fact of riding +through the air to jail.</p> + +<p>"Now for home!" cried Tom, when the prisoners had been disposed of. +"Home to clear our names and take this money to the bank!"</p> + +<p>"And receive the reward," added Mr. Sharp, with a smile. "Don't forget +that!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, and I'll see that you get a share too, Mr. Durkin," went on +Tom. "Only for your aid we never would have gotten these men and the +money."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess we're about even on that score," responded the official. +"I'm glad to break up that gang."</p> + +<p>The next morning Tom and his friends started for home in the Red +Cloud.</p> + +<p>They took with them evidence as to the guilt of the two men-Morse and +Happy Harry. The men confessed that they and their pals had robbed the +bank of Shopton, the night before Tom and his friends sailed on their +trip. In fact that was the object for which the gang hung around +Shopton. After securing their booty they had gone to the camp of the +tramps at Shagmon, where they hid, hoping they would not be traced. +But the words Tom had overheard had been their undoing. The men who +arrived at the camp just before the raid were the same ones the young +inventor heard talking in the office building. They had come to get +their share of the loot, which Morse held, and with which he tried so +desperately to get away. Tom's injuries were not serious and did not +bother him after being treated by a physician.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_25___Andy_Gets_His_Reward" id="Chapter_25___Andy_Gets_His_Reward" />Chapter 25 - Andy Gets His Reward</h2> + + + +<p>Flying swiftly through the air the young inventor and his two +companions were soon within sight of Shopton. As they approached the +town from over the lake, and a patch of woods, they attracted no +attention until they were near home, and the craft settled down easily +in the yard of the Swift property.</p> + +<p>That the aged inventor was glad to see his son back need not be said, +and Mrs. Baggert's welcome was scarcely less warm than that of Mr. +Swift. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon were also made to feel that their +friends were glad to see them safe again.</p> + +<p>"We must go at once and see Mr. Pendergast, the bank president," +declared Mr. Swift. "We must take the money to him, and demand that he +withdraw the offer of reward for your arrest."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Tom. "I guess the reward will go to some one besides +Andy Foger."</p> + +<p>There was considerable surprise on the part of the bank clerks when +our hero, and his friends, walked in, carrying a heavy black bag. But +they could only conjecture what was in the wind, for the party was +immediately closeted with the president.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pendergast was so startled that he hardly knew what to say when +Tom, aided by Mr. Sharp, told his story. But the return of the money, +with documents from Sheriff Durkin, certifying as to the arrest of +Morse and Happy Harry, soon convinced him of the truth of the account.</p> + +<p>"It's the most wonderful thing I ever heard," said the president.</p> + +<p>"Well, what are you going to do about it?" asked Mr. Damon. "You have +accused Tom and myself of being thieves, and-"</p> + +<p>"I apologize-I apologize most humbly!" exclaimed Mr. Pendergast. "I +also-"</p> + +<p>"What about the reward?" went on Mr. Damon. "Bless my bank notes, I +don't want any of it, for I have enough, but I think Tom and Mr. Sharp +and the sheriff are entitled to it."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said the president, "certainly. It will be paid at once. +I will call a meeting of the directors. In fact they are all in the +bank now, save Mr. Foger, and I can reach him by telephone. If you +will just rest yourselves in that room there I will summon you before +the board, when it convenes, and be most happy to pay over the five +thousand dollars reward. It is the most wonderful thing I ever heard +of-most wonderful!"</p> + +<p>In a room adjoining that of the president, Tom, his father and Mr. +Damon waited for the directors to meet. Mr. Foger could be heard +entering a little later.</p> + +<p>"What's this I hear, Pendergast?" he cried, rubbing his hands. "The +bank robbers captured, eh? Well, that's good news. Of course we'll pay +the reward. I always knew my boy was a smart lad. Five thousand +dollars will be a tidy sum for him. Of course his chum, Sam Snedecker +is entitled to some, but not much. So they've caught Tom Swift and +that rascally Damon, eh? I always knew he was a scoundrel! Putting +money in here as a blind!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon heard, and shook his fist.</p> + +<p>"I'll make him suffer for that," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Tom Swift arrested, eh?" went on Mr. Foger. "I always knew he was a +bad egg. Who caught them? Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"In the next room," replied Mr. Pendergast, who loved a joke almost as +well as did Tom. "They may come out now," added the president, opening +the door, and sending Ned Newton in to summon Tom, Mr. Swift and Mr. +Damon, who filed out before the board of directors.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," began the president, "I have the pleasure of presenting +to you Mr. Thomas Swift, Mr. Barton Swift and Mr. Wakefield Damon. I +also have the honor to announce that Mr. Thomas Swift and Mr. Damon +have been instrumental in capturing the burglars who recently robbed +our bank, and I am happy to add that young Mr. Swift and Mr. Wakefeld +Damon have, this morning, brought to me all but a small part of the +money stolen from us. Which money they succeeded, after a desperate +fight "</p> + +<p>"A fight partly with seltzer bottles," interrupted Mr. Damon proudly. +"Don't forget them."</p> + +<p>"Partly with seltzer bottles," conceded the president with a smile. +"After a fight they succeeded in getting the money back. Here it is, +and I now suggest that we pay the reward we promised."</p> + +<p>"What? Reward? Pay them? The money back? Isn't my son to receive the +five thousand dollars for informing as to the identity of the thief- +isn't he?" demanded Mr. Foger, almost suffocating from his +astonishment at the unexpected announcement.</p> + +<p>"Hardly," answered Mr. Pendergast dryly. "Your son's information +happened to be very wrong. The tools he saw Tom have in the bag were +airship tools, not burglar's. And the same gang that once robbed Mr. +Swift robbed our, bank. Tom Swift captured them, and is entitled to +the reward. It will be necessary for us directors to make up the sum, +personally, and I, for one, am very glad to do so."</p> + +<p>"So am I," came in a chorus from the others seated at the table.</p> + +<p>"But-er-I understood that my son-" stammered Mr. Foger, who did not at +all relish having to see his son lose the reward.</p> + +<p>"It was all a mistake about your son," commented Mr. Pendergast. +"Gentlemen, is it your desire that I write out a check for young Mr. +Swift?"</p> + +<p>They all voted in the affirmative, even Mr. Foger being obliged to do +so, much against his wishes. He was a very much chagrined man, when +the directors' meeting broke up. Word was sent at once, by telegraph, +to all the cities where reward posters had been displayed, recalling +the offer, and stating that Tom Swift and Mr. Damon were cleared. Mr. +Sharp had never been really accused.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's go home," suggested Tom when he had the five-thousand- +dollar check in his pocket.</p> + +<p>"I want another ride in the Red Cloud as soon as it's repaired."</p> + +<p>"So do I!" declared Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>The eccentric man and Mr. Swift walked on ahead, and Tom strolled down +toward the dock, for he thought he would take a short trip in his +motor-boat.</p> + +<p>He was near the lake, not having met many persons, when he saw a +figure running up from the water. He knew who it was in an instant +Andy Foger. As for the bully, at the sight of Tom he hesitated, than +came boldly on. Evidently he had not heard of our hero's arrival.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed the red-haired lad, "I've been looking for you. The +police want you, Tom Swift."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do they?" asked the young inventor gently.</p> + +<p>"Yes; for robbery. I'm going to get the reward, too. You thought you +were smart, but I saw those burglar tools in your valise. I sent the +police after you. So you've come back, eh? I'm going to tell Chief +Simonson. You wait."</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Tom, "I'll wait. So the police want me, do they?"</p> + +<p>"That's what they do," snarled Andy. "I told you I'd get even with +you, and I've done it."</p> + +<p>"Well," burst out Tom, unable to longer contain himself, as he thought +of all he had suffered at the hands of the red-haired bully, "I said +I'd get even with you, but I haven't done it yet. I'm going to now. +Take off your coat, Andy. You and I are going to have a little +argument."</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare lay a finger on me!" blustered the squint-eyed one.</p> + +<p>Tom peeled off his coat. Andy, who saw that he could not escape, +rushed forward, and dealt the young inventor a blow on the chest. That +was all Tom wanted, and the next instant he went at Andy hammer and +tongs. The bully tried to fight, but he had no chance with his +antagonist, who was righteously angry, and who made every blow tell. +It was a sorry-looking Andy Foger who begged for mercy a little later.</p> + +<p>Tom had no desire to administer more than a deserved reward to the +bully, but perhaps he did add a little for interest. At any rate Andy +thought so.</p> + +<p>"You just wait!" he cried, as he limped off. "I'll make you sorry for +this."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't go to any trouble on my account," said Tom gently, as he +put on his coat. But Andy did go to considerable trouble to be +revenged on the young inventor, and whether be succeeded or not you +may learn by reading the fourth book of this series, to be called "Tom +Swift and His Submarine Boat; or, Under the Ocean for Sunken +Treasure," in which I shall relate the particulars of a voyage that +was marvelous in the extreme.</p> + +<p>Tom reached home in a very pleasant frame of mind that afternoon. +Things had turned out much better than he thought they would. A few +weeks later the two bank robbers, who were found guilty, were +sentenced to long terms, but their companions were not captured. Tom +sent Sheriff Durkin a share of the reward, and the lad invested his +own share in bank stock, after giving some to Mr. Sharp. Mr. Damon +refused to accept any. As for Mr. Swift, once he saw matters +straightened out, and his son safe, he resumed his work on his prize +submarine boat, his son helping him.</p> + +<p>As for Tom, he alternated his spare time between trips in the airship +and his motor-boat, and frequently a certain young lady from the +Rocksmond Seminary was his companion. I think you know her name by +this time. Now, for a while, we will take leave of Tom Swift and his +friends, trusting to meet them again.</p> + +<pre> +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext Tom Swift and His Airship, by Appleton +</pre> + + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/03tom10h.zip b/old/03tom10h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..56f338e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/03tom10h.zip diff --git a/old/03tom10l.lit b/old/03tom10l.lit Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..05d7b74 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/03tom10l.lit diff --git a/old/03tom10l.zip b/old/03tom10l.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..81cd122 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/03tom10l.zip diff --git a/old/03tom10p.prc b/old/03tom10p.prc Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c6439bc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/03tom10p.prc diff --git a/old/03tom10p.zip b/old/03tom10p.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f1fdb75 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/03tom10p.zip |