Tom Swift and His Air Scout | Page 7

jump!"
"Sit still! Sit still for your life!" cried Tom Swift. "I'll save you all right!
Only sit still! Don't jump!"
Mary, her red cheeks white, sank back, and the young inventor
redoubled his efforts at the controls and other mechanisms.
And that Tom was perfectly qualified to make a safe landing, even with
engine trouble, Mary Nestor well knew. Those of you who have read
the previous books of this series know it also, but, for the benefit of my
new readers, I shall state that this was by no means Tom's first ride in
an aeroplane.
He had operated and built gasoline engines ever since he was about
sixteen years old. As related in the initial volume of this series, entitled,
"Tom Swift and His Motorcycle," he became possessed of this machine
after it had started to climb a tree with Mr. Damon on board. After that
experience the eccentric man --blessing everything he could think
of--had no liking for the speedy motorcycle and sold it to Tom at a low
price.
That was the beginning of a friendship between the two, and also
started Tom on his career as an inventor and a possessor of many
gasoline craft. For he was not content with merely riding the repaired
motorcycle. He made improvements on it.
Tom lived with his father in the town of Shopton, their home being
looked after, since the death of Mrs. Swift, by Mrs. Baggert. Mr.
Wakefield Damon lived in the neighboring town of Waterfield, and
spent much time at Tom's home, often going on trips with him in

various vehicles of the land, sea or air.
As related in the various volumes of this series, Tom was not content to
remain on earth. He built a speedy motor boat, and then secured an
airship, following that with a submarine. He also made an electric
runabout that was the speediest car on the road. Sending wireless
messages, having thrilling experiences among the diamond makers,
journeying to the caves of ice, and making perilous trips in his sky
racer took up part of the young inventor's time.
With his electric rifle he did some wonderful shooting, and in the "City
of Gold" made some strange discoveries, part of the fortune he secured
enabling him to build his sky racer. It was in a land of giants that Tom
was made captive, but he succeeded in escaping, and brought two
giants, of whom Koku was one, away with him.
Following this achievement Tom invented a wizard camera and a great
searchlight, which, with his giant cannon, was purchased by the United
States Government. Work on his photo-telephone and his aerial
warship, the problem of digging a big tunnel, and then traveling to the
land of wonders, kept Tom Swift very busy, and he had just completed
a wonderful piece of work when the present story opens.
This last achievement was the perfecting of a machine to aid in the
great World War and you will find the details set down in the volume
which immediately precedes this. "Tom Swift and His War Tank," it is
called, and in that is related how he not only invented a marvelous
machine, but succeeded in keeping its secret from the plotters who tried
to take it from him. In this Tom was helped by the inspiration of Mary
Nestor, whom he hoped some day to marry, and by Ned Newton, a
chum, who, though no inventor himself, could admire one.
Ned and Tom had been chums a long while, but Ned inclined more to
financial and office matters than to machinery. At times he had
managed affairs for Tom, and helped him finance projects. Ned was
now an important bank official, and since the United States had entered
the war had had charge of some Red Cross work, as well as Liberty
Bond campaigns.

Somehow, as she sat there in the craft which seemed disabled, Mary
Nestor could not help thinking of Tom's many activities, in some of
which she had shared.
"Oh, if he falls now, and is killed!" she thought. "Oh, what will happen
to us?"
"It's all right, Mary! Don't worry! It's all right!" cried Tom, through the
speaking tube.
"What's that? I can't hear you very well !" she called back.
"No wonder, with the racket this motor is making," he answered. "Why
can't something be done so you can talk in an aeroplane as well as in a
balloon? That's an idea! If I could tell you what was the matter now you
wouldn't be a bit frightened, for it isn't anything. But, as it is--"
"What are you saying, Tom? I can't hear you!" cried Mary, still much
frightened.
"I say it's all right--don't get scared. And don't jump!" Tom shouted
until his ears buzzed.