Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle | Page 4

ELECTRIC RIFLE
OR
Daring Adventures in Elephant Land
by VICTOR APPLETON

CONTENTS
I TOM WANTS EXCITEMENT II TRYING THE NEW GUN III A
DIFFICULT TEST IV BIG TUSKS WANTED V RUSH WORK VI
NEWS FROM ANDY VII THE BLACK HAWK FLIES VIII OFF
FOR AFRICA IX ATTACKED BY A WHALE X OFF IN THE
AIRSHIP XI ANCHORED TO EARTH XII AMONG THE NATIVES
XIII ON THE ELEPHANT TRAIL XIV A STAMPEDE XV LIONS
IN THE NIGHT XVI SEEKING THE MISSIONARIES XVII SHOTS
FROM ABOVE XVIII NEWS OF THE RED PYGMIES XIX AN
APPEAL FOR HELP XX THE FIGHT XXI DRIVEN BACK XXII A
NIGHT ATTACK XXIII THE RESCUE XXIV TWO OTHER

CAPTIVES XXV THE ROGUE ELEPHANT--CONCLUSION

CHAPTER I
TOM WANTS EXCITEMENT
"Have you anything special to do to-night, Ned?" asked Tom Swift, the
well-known inventor, as he paused in front of his chum's window, in
the Shopton National Bank.
"No, nothing in particular," replied the bank clerk, as he stacked up
some bundles of bills. "Why do you ask?"
"I wanted you to come over to the house for a while."
"Going to have a surprise party, or something like that?"
"No, only I've got something I'd like to show you."
"A new invention?"
"Well, not exactly new. You've seen it before, but not since I've
improved it. I'm speaking of my new electric rifle. I've got it ready to
try, now, and I'd like to see what you think of it. There's a rifle range
over at the house, and we can practice some shooting, if you haven't
anything else to do."
"I haven't, and I'll be glad to come. What are you doing in the bank,
anyhow; putting away more of your wealth, Tom?"
"Yes, I just made a little deposit. It's some money I got from the
government for the patents on my sky racer, and I'm salting it down
here until Dad and I can think of a better investment."
"Good idea. Bring us all the money you can," and the bank clerk, who
held a small amount of stock in the financial institution, laughed, his
chum joining in with him.

"Well, then. I'll expect you over this evening," went on the youthful
inventor, as he turned to leave the bank.
"Yes, I'll be there. Say, Tom, have you heard the latest about Andy
Foger?"
"No, I haven't heard much since he left town right after I beat him in
the aeroplane race at Eagle Park."
"Well, he's out of town all right, and I guess for a long time this trip.
He's gone to Europe."
"To Europe, eh? Well, he threatened to go there after he failed to beat
me in the race, but I thought he was only bluffing."
"No, he's really gone this time."
"Well, I, for one, am glad of it. Did he take his aeroplane along?"
"Yes, that's what he went for. It seems that this Mr. Landbacher, the
German who really invented it, and built it with money which Mr.
Foger supplied, has an idea he can interest the German or some other
European government in the machine. Andy wanted to go along with
him, and as Mr. Foger financed the scheme, I guess he thought it would
be a good thing to have some one represent him. So Andy's gone."
"Then he won't bother me. Well, I must get along. I'll expect you over
to-night," and with a wave of his hand Tom Swift hurried from the
bank.
The young inventor jumped into his electric runabout which stood
outside the institution, and was about to start off when he saw a
newsboy selling papers which had just come in from New York, on the
morning train.
"Here, Jack, give me a TIMES," called Tom to the lad, and he tossed
the newsboy a nickel. Then, after glancing at the front page, and noting
the headings, Tom started off his speedy car, in which, on one occasion,

he had made a great run, against time. He was soon at home.
"Well, Dad, I've got the money safely put away," he remarked to an
aged gentleman who sat in the library reading a book. "Now we won't
have to worry about thieves until we get some more cash in."
"Well, I'm glad it's coming in so plentifully," said Mr. Swift with a
smile. "Since my illness I haven't been able to do much, Tom, and it all
depends on you, now."
"Don't let that worry you, Dad. You'll soon be as busy as ever," for,
following a serious operation for an ailment of the heart, Mr. Swift,
who was a veteran inventor, had not been able to do much. But the
devices of his son, especially a speedy monoplane, which Tom
invented, and sold to the United States Government, were now bringing