Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat | Page 4

-or it was when it was new."
"That's a good deal of money for a boat," and Mr. Swift looked serious,
for though he was well off, he was inclined to be conservative.
"Oh, I shouldn't think of paying that much. In fact, dad, I really had no
idea of bidding at the auction. I only thought I'd go over and get an idea
of what the boat might sell for. Perhaps some day---"
Tom paused. Since his father had begun to question him some new

plans had come into the lad's head. He looked at his parent and saw a
smile beginning to work around the corners of Mr. Swift's lips. There
was also a humorous look in the eyes of the older inventor. He
understood boys fairly well, even if he only had one, and he knew Tom
perfectly.
"Would you really like to make a bid on that boat Tom?" he asked.
"Would I, dad? Well---" The youth did not finish, but his father knew
what he meant.
"I suppose a motor-boat would be a nice thing to have on Lake
Carlopa," went on Mr. Swift musingly. "You and I could take frequent
trips in it. It isn't like a motor-cycle, only useful for one. What do you
suppose the boat will go for, Tom?"
"I hardly know. Not a high price, I believe, for motor-boats are so new
on our lake that few persons will take a chance on them. But if Mr.
Hastings is getting another, he will not be so particular about insisting
on a high price for the old one. Then, too, the fact that it is damaged
will help to keep the price down, though I know I can easily put it in
good shape. I would like to make a bid, if you think it's all right."
Well, I guess you may, Tom, if you really want it. You have money of
your own and a motor-boat is not a bad investment. What do you think
ought to be the limit?"
"Would you consider a hundred and fifty dollars too high?"
Mr. Swift looked at Tom critically. He was plainly going over several
matters in his mind, and not the least of them was the pluck his son had
shown in getting back some valuable papers and a model from a gang
of thieves. The lad certainly was entitled to some reward, and to allow
him to get a boat might properly be part of it
"I think you could safely go as high as two hundred dollars, Tom," said
Mr. Swift at length. "That would be my limit on a damaged boat for it
might be better to pay a little more and get a new one. However, use

your own judgment, but don't go over two hundred. So the thieves who
made so much trouble for me stole that boat from Mr. Hastings, eh?"
"Yes, and they didn't take much care of it either. They damaged the
engine, but the hull is in good shape. I'm ever so glad you'll let me bid
on it. I'll start right off. The auction is at ten o'clock and I haven't more
than time to get there."
"Now be careful how you bid. Don't raise your own figures, as I've
sometimes seen women, and men too, do in their excitement.
Somebody may go over your head; and if he does, let them. If you get
the boat I'll be very glad on your account. But don't bring any of Anson
Morse's gang back in it with you. I've seen enough of them."
"I'll not dad!" cried Tom as he trundled his motor-cycle out of the gate
and into the country road that led to the village of Shopton, where he
lived, and to Lanton, where the auction was to be held. The young
inventor had not gone far before he turned back, leaving his machine
standing on the side path.
"What's the matter?" asked his father, who had started toward one of
several machine shops on the premises---shops where Mr. Swift and his
son did inventive work.
"Guess I'd better get a blank check and some money," replied Tom as
he entered the house. "I'll need to pay a deposit if I secure the boat."
"That's so. Well, good luck," and with his mind busy on a plan for a
new kind of storage battery, the inventor went on to his workroom.
Tom got some cash and his checkbook from a small safe he owned and
was soon speeding over the road to Lanton, his motor- cycle making
quite a cloud of dust. While he is thus hurrying along to the auction I
will tell you something about him.
Tom Swift, son of Barton Swift, lived with his father and a motherly
housekeeper, Mrs.