Tom Swift and the Electronic Hydrolung | Page 9

Then the two boys hopped back to Fearing for a second deep-water test. This time, Tom was delighted to find that he could operate comfortably at great depths, as well as rise or descend suddenly without ill effect.
Bud was aglow with enthusiasm. "Boy, we can really explore now!"
After the boys had returned to Enterprises, Tom phoned Arv Hanson and asked that a duplicate of the hydrolung be turned out in the shop as soon as possible. It was ready the following Monday morning, so Tom suggested to his father that the two visit the proposed underwater site and make some sample plantings.
"Great idea, son," Mr. Swift agreed. "I want to try out your new diving apparatus myself. If it's successful, we'll be able to tackle two problems at once--recover the Jupiter prober and start the 'sea farm.'"
They flew to Fearing, then went by boat to the farm site, about half a mile offshore. Each carried several of the valuable Far Eastern plants.
[Illustration]
The silt beds which Mr. Swift had selected were just deep enough to keep the plants from being discovered, yet enable them to receive sufficient sunlight.
Tom and his father started their planting. But no sooner had the first plants been embedded than fish darted in to nibble them. Even the roots disappeared into their greedy maws.
[Illustration]
"Looks as though we'll have to build some sort of net enclosure around and over our farm," Mr. Swift said, after they had climbed back into the boat. "But at least your hydrolung device is a great success, son!"
Tom was thoughtful. "Dad, I wonder if the fish would eat those plants from space which you've been growing under salt water?"
Tom was referring to certain strange plants rocketed to earth by unknown space friends with whom the Swifts had been in communication.
"I have a hunch," Tom went on, "that the fish might be repelled by the unusual scent of those space plants. If so, we could scatter them among the earth plants to keep the fish away."
Mr. Swift was impressed by Tom's idea. As soon as they had returned to Enterprises, he proposed that the experiment get under way.
Tom volunteered to undertake the job at once with Bud. While the young inventor phoned his copilot, Mr. Swift went to his own laboratory to prepare the plants for shipment.
Twenty minutes later the boys took off in a jet. The plants had been parceled in transparent plastic film. Glistening with a red metallic sheen, they looked somewhat like tulips with honeycombed centers.
"Scarecrow plants to drive off fishes," Bud joked. "What will scientists think of next!"
Tom laughed, then abruptly frowned. "Hey! What's that character up to?" he said. "Trying to buzz us?"
A sleek gray jet without markings was arrowing in on them from three o'clock. Bud flicked on the radio and barked a warning. The plane made no response. As it kept coming, Tom increased speed--then rolled, dived, and changed course, but failed to shake off their pursuer.
Bud, meanwhile, was frantically calling Enterprises and a nearby airport, but getting no response. Yet their radio was working, for a voice suddenly crackled:
"Follow the mystery plane for a landing and you won't be harmed!"
CHAPTER V
A HUNCH PAYS OFF
Dismayed, Tom and Bud stared at each other. Apparently the enemy ship had blanked out their radio communication to all points except the mystery plane.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Tom said into his microphone.
The voice replied crisply, "You'll find out when the time comes!"
Tom flicked off his mike and exchanged another worried glance with Bud. "We seem to be in a spot, pal!"
"And how! Especially if that crate's armed!" Bud muttered. "But what are they after?"
Tom shrugged. "The space plants maybe--or possibly our jet."
"Might even be us they want," Bud said. "Got any tricks under your magician's hat?"
Tom's brain was already racing to figure a way out. Suddenly he snapped his fingers. "Hey! I almost forgot!" he exclaimed. "Look in the locker, Bud, and see if we have the radio set that neutralizes all interference!"
Bud's face brightened. "Now you're talking!"
The set had been perfected during Tom's Cosmic Astronauts adventure, in defense against an Oriental enemy's jamming-wave generator. Bud found it in the locker, dragged it out joyfully, and plugged it into the power supply.
Meanwhile, the mystery jet had banked in a wide circle and headed west. As Tom stalled for time, it swooped back again and the same voice came snarling over the speaker.
"I warned you to follow us! Or would you prefer to be shot down?"
As if to back up the threat, a burst of tracer fire grazed Tom's plane.
He hastily switched on his mike. "Okay, hold your fire! I guess we have no choice!"
The jet turned back on its westerly course, and Tom followed obediently. Meanwhile, Bud had warmed up the other radio and contacted Enterprises. Tom switched