Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders | Page 9

getting to Honduras, as there are fruit steamers
frequently sailing. Of course going into the interior--to the Copan
valley--is going to be harder. But an expedition from a large college
was recently there and succeeded, after much labor, in ex- cavating part
of a buried city. Whether or not it was Kurzon I am unable to say.
"But if there was one ancient city there must be more. So I want to
make an attempt. And I counted on you, Tom. You have had

considerable experience in strange quarters of the earth, and you're just
the one to help me. I don't need money, for I have interested a certain
millionaire, and my own college will put up part of the funds."
"Oh, it isn't a question of money," said Tom. "It's time."
"That's just what it is with me!" exclaimed Professor Bumper. "I
haven't any time to lose. My rivals may, even now, be on their way to
Honduras!"
"Your rivals!" cried Tom. "You didn't say anything about them!"
"No, I believe I didn't There were so many other things to talk about.
But there is a rival archaeologist who would ask nothing better than to
get ahead of me in this matter. He is younger than I am, and youth is a
big asset nowadays."
"Pooh! You're not old!" cried Mr. Damon. "You're no older than I am,
and I'm still young. I'm a lot younger than some of these boys who are
afraid to tackle a trip through a tropical wilderness," and he playfully
nudged Tom in the ribs.
"I'm not a bit afraid!" retorted the young inventor.
"No, I know you're not," laughed Mr. Damon. "But I've got to say
something, Tom, to stir you up. Ned, how about you? Would you go?"
"I can't, unless Tom does. You see I'm his financial man now."
"There you are, Tom Swift!" cried Mr. Damon. "You see you are
holding back a number of persons just because you don't want to go."
"I certainly wouldn't like to go without Tom," said the professor slowly.
"I really need his help. You know, Tom, we would never have found
the city of Pelone if it had not been for you and your marvelous powder.
The conditions in the Copan valley are likely to be still more difficult
to overcome, and I feel that I risk failure without your young energy
and your inventive mind to aid in the work and to suggest possible

means of attaining our object. Come, Tom, reconsider, and decide to
make the trip."
"And my promise to go was dependent on Tom's agreement to
accompany us," said Mr. Damon
"Come on!" urged the professor, much as one boy might urge another
to take part in a ball game. "Don't let my rival get ahead of me."
"I wouldn't like to see that," Tom said slowly. "Who is he--any one I
know?"
"I don't believe so, Tom. He's connected with a large, new college that
has plenty of money to spend on explorations and research work.
Beecher is his name--Fenimore Beecher."
"Beecher!" exclaimed Tom, and there was such a change in his manner
that his friends could not help noticing it. He jumped to his feet, his
eyes snapping, and he looked eagerly and anxiously at Professor
Bumper.
"Did you say his name was Fenimore Beecher?" Tom asked in a tense
voice.
"That's what it is--Professor Fenimore Beecher. He is really a learned
young man, and thoroughly in earnest, though I do not like his manner.
But he is trying to get ahead of me, which may account for my feeling."
Tom Swift did not answer. Instead he hurried from the room with a
murmured apology.
"I'll be back in about five minutes," he said, as he went out.
"Well, what's up now?" asked Mr. Damon of Ned, as the young
inventor departed. "What set him off that way?"
"The mention of Beecher's name, evidently. Though I never heard him
mention such a person before."

"Nor did I ever hear Professor Beecher speak of Tom," said the
bald-headed scientist. "Well, we'll just have to wait until----"
At that moment Tom came back into the room.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I have reconsidered my refusal to go to the
Copan valley after the idol of gold. I'm going with you!"
"Good!" cried Professor Bumper.
"Fine!" ejaculated Mr. Damon. "Bless my time-table! I thought you'd
come around, Tom Swift."
"But what about your stabilizer?" asked Ned.
"I was just talking to my father about it,' the young inventor replied.
"He will be able to put the finishing touches on it. So I'll leave it with
him. As soon as I can get ready I'll go, since you say haste is necessary,
Professor Bumper."
"It is, if we are to get ahead of Beecher."