Tom Swift and His Wireless Message; Or, The Castaways of Earthquake Island

k in delight. "My machine

ike, but it is doing very well, considering the weight of the craft, and the fact that we have not use

want to 'hoodoo' it. I worked as hard as I could, and never got mor

tle pleased at his own success, for certainly the airsh

Damon, looking down on the field where Mr. Fenwick's friends an

better," d

now looking over the electric apparatus, to see that it w

t. It was about two hundred feet high, but soon after the gas began to enter the bag it rose until it was nearly five thous

to test her ability to answer the rudders promptly. The lad saw opport

the owner of the Whizzer, as he saw

"But I'd like you to handle her now, Mr. Fenwick. You can m

l right," assented the inventor. "I'm

rom the airship. Tom was also given much praise for his success in making the craft go at

of the young inventor, who replied that, as soon as some fu

a short note to his father telling of the proposed long flight, and intimated that he might make a call in Shopton

r pastry, though it was gotten ready fo

Whizzer had been wonderfully improved by the changes Tom made. The young inventor looked ov

expect to be go

think we can s

ad to return in two days, or less. But I think we're

aid the inventor. "I guess we three will make up the party this time, though if ou

warm, but there was a slight haziness which Tom did not like. H

cular spot, Mr. Fenwick?" asked To

ve a friend who has a summer cottage there, and he was always laughing at my air

" assented Tom

ht across the ground, and then, with the lifting gas aiding in pulling the

ard. Up and up it went, and then a little later, to the astonishment of the crowds in the streets, T

e Delaware River, and over Camden, New Jersey, and then head south, for Ca

egan an inspection of the electrical and other machinery. There was much that needed attention, but

d out of the windows with which the ca

s, Tom," he said. "

e weather," was the answer. "

et's pu

at we have made such a good start. He wants to make a long

there's

er suddenly, though," and Tom looked at the anemometer, which showed a speed of tw

ft, but sufficiently speedy in trying out a new machine. Tom looked at the barograp

ve feet," remarked the lad, with a smile, "and it breaks Jackson's climb of seven thou

ink so?" asked th

t to go slow at first, until we see how she is standing t

let it out a little, The Whizzer at once leaped forward, and, a lit

riend," said Mr. Fenwick, with a

we'd better d

y n

scension we may fail. We're up in the air now, and it may be easy to turn around and go back. Then, again, it may not, but it certai

I wanted my friend to know I co

nd fly over his house, if you'll point it out, and you can drop him

," assented Mr. Fen

uite plainly. After looking with a pair of opera glasses, Mr. Fenwick picke

rship had become known to hundreds,

cceed!" exclaimed Mr. Fenwick, pointing to a man who stood in the

er, and soon it was falling downward. The airship wa

in window, Mr. Fenwick

airship would never go! I'll com

but he saw the inventor waving his hand, and he saw the falling cylinder, and

to head for home," said Tom, a mom

!" cried Mr. Damon. "But

e'll have going back," ob

matter?" asked

a gale, and will be dead

rn it about, and head back for Philadelphia. No sooner had he done so than the airship was met by the full force of the wind, which was now almost a hurricane. It had

gainst the wind, he turned the craft around, and let it fly before the

n and Tom were in a low-voiced conversation near the engines. The owner of the Whizzer, happened to look do

claimed. "We--we'

billows below them. They had quickly passed over Cape May, ac

nwick. "Isn't it dangerous--in an airshi

we can't help ourselves, Mr. Fenwick. We can't turn

at's to

keep on until the ga

long will

now--a wee

ad we've got plenty on board