Tom Swift in Captivity, Or, A Daring Escape By Airship

es he had been reading, tossed it on

his chum, Ned Newton, who

k he had discarded. "But say! the make-believe adventures that fellow had, weren't anything co

s to lay over those you and I have had lately. But where are you goi

t to come along? It's more fun than sitting in the house reading

you were going to say," interrupted Ned with a laugh.

d you ever know me to have a tumble

that I did. I w

id to the man he found lugging off money from the bank.

are you

the cobwebs out of my head. I declare, I guess I've got the spring fever. I haven

chum's example by tossing aside the book. "Do you call wor

ood fun, like getting shipwrecked on a desert island, or being lost in the mountains, or something like t

h," commented Ned. "But

on the track of an adventure," urged the young invento

ft owned several speedy aircrafts, from a big combined aeroplane and dirigible balloon, to a little monoplane

m?" asked Ned, as his chum pause

ng wing tips all the while. The Lark practically flies herself, and we can sit back and take it easy. I'll have Eradicate fill up the gasolene tank, while I look

mething. I wouldn't mind going on another

aising his voice he called out: "Rad,

d colored man, as he shuffled around the cor

d. Ned and I are going to take a l

jest same laik I be. He's gittin' old, an' he needs lots ob 'tention. He has t' hab mo'

he wants. Boomerang was

olene tank, while Tom adjusted the electrical mechanism of his aeroplane, Ned assisting by handing him the tools needed. Eradicate, who said he was named that becau

e magneto, and finding that it gave a fat, hot spark. "That o

rop, Mas

out. Ned, you steady her on that side. Ho

ed his toe against the rubber circlets of the sm

I ought to get a few hundred more revolutions per minute out of the motor with the wa

times there was no explosion as he swung the delicate wooden blades about, but the third time the engine started off with a roar, and a succession of explosions that were deafen

er! Climb up Ned, and we'll start off.

n so many trips with Tom, and had had so much to do with a

red man was about to twist around the fan-like blades of th

less my admission ticket, don't go! I've go

ed Tom, motioning to Eradicate t

e," agreed Ned. "I w

t to take the Scooter instead of this one. That ho

hem, from the direction of the house, a stout man, who seemed very much excited. He was walking so

most deprived him of breath. "I've got something importan

ed Ned with a laugh. "In another min

ity of diamonds, or has some one sent you a map telling where

either of those, and if you don't jump at the chance I'm mi

e feared some one would see or hear him. Yet it was broad daylight, the place was the starting ground for Tom

asked Tom i

alking stick, Tom! but this is going to be a gre

here, Mr

a minute. Is the

ne bu

that Andy Foge

out of tow

Come over here," and taking hold of the coat of each of the youths, M

asked the odd gentleman, after peering throug

ean in the line of going

r you. Tom, I want you to go to a strange land, and bring back one of the biggest men t

at our hero coughed, and then the odd gentleman stepped back an

at Ned, and Ned gave his chum a quick glanc

," murmured

d Mr. Damon. "I want you to

d significant glances, and then T

the house and lie down, I'll have Mrs. Baggert make you a cup of tea, and after you have had a sleep you'll

azy? Lie down? Rest myself? Go to sleep? Say, I'm not crazy! I'm not tired! I'm not s

get one," put i

u'll feel better after you've had a rest. Dr. Perkin

he young inventor and his chum, and the

t talk about giants! Oh dear! Tom Swift, this is the greatest chance you ever had! Come on in the house and I'll