第16章

Mr.Damon Will Go

"Well, I guess they've had their lesson," remarked Tom, as he took an observation through the telescope and saw Andy and his cronies hard at work trying to repair the ruptured tires."That certainly was a corking good trick." "Yes," admitted Mr.Sharp modestly."I once did something similar, only it was a horse and wagon instead of an auto.But let's try for another speed record.The conditions are just right."They arrived at the coast much sooner than they had dared to hope, the Red Cloud proving herself a veritable wonder.

The remainder of that day, and part of the next, was spent in working on the submarine.

"We'lllaunchherdayafterto-morrow,"declaredMr.Swift enthusiastically."Then to see whether my calculations are right or wrong." "It won't be your fault if it doesn't work," said his son."You certainlyhave done your best."

"And so have you and Mr.Sharp and the others, for that matter.Well, I have no doubt but that everything will be all right, Tom.""There!" exclaimed Mr.Sharp the next morning, as he was adjusting a certain gage."I knew I'd forget something.That special brand of lubricating oil.I meant to bring it from Shopton, and I didn't.""Maybe I can get it in Atlantis," suggested Tom, naming the coast city nearest to them."I'll take a walk over.It isn't far.""Will you? I'll be glad to have you," resumed the balloonist."A gallon will be all we'll need."Tom was soon on his way.He had to walk, as the roads were too poor to permit him to use the motor-cycle, and the airship attracted too much attention to use on a short trip.He was strolling along, when from the other side of a row of sand dunes, that lined the uncertain road to Atlantis, he heard some one speaking.At first the tones were not distinct, but as the lad drew nearer to the voice he heard an exclamation.

"Bless my gold-headed cane! I believe I'm lost.He said it was out thisway somewhere, bet I don't see anything of it.If I had that Eradicate Sampson here now I'd--bless my shoelaces I don't know what I would do to him.""Mr.Damon! Mr.Damon!" cried Tom."Is that you?""Me? Of course it's me! Who else would it be?" answered the voice."But who are you.Why, bless my liver! If it isn't Tom Swift!" he cried."Oh, but I'm glad to see you! I was afraid I was shipwrecked! Bless my gaiters, how are you, anyhow? How is your father? How is Mr.Sharp, and all the rest of them?""Pretty well.And you?"

"Me? Oh, I'm all right; only a trifle nervous.I called at your house in Shopton yesterday, and Eradicate told me, as well as he could, where you were located.I had nothing to do, so I thought I'd take a run down here.But what's this I hear about you? Are you going on a voyage?""Yes."

"In the air? May I go along again? I certainly enjoyed my other trip in the Red Cloud.What is, all but the fire and being shot at.May I go?""We're going on a different sort of trip this time," said the youth."Where?""Under water."

"Under water?Bless my sponge bath! You don't mean it!""Yes.Dad has completed the submarine he was working on when we were off in the airship, and it will be launched the day after to-morrow.""Oh, that's so.I'd forgotten about it.He's going to try for the Government prize, isn't he? But tell me more about it.Bless my scarf-pin, but I'm glad I met you! Going into town, I take it.Well, I just came from there, but I'll walk back with you.Do you think--is there any possibility -- that I could go with you? Of course, I don't want to crowd you, but--""Oh, there'll be plenty of room," replied the young inventor."In fact, more room than we had in the airship.We were talking only the other day about the possibility of you going with us, but we didn't think you'd risk it.""Risk it? Bless my liver! Of course I'll risk' it! It can't be as bad as sailing in the air.You can't fall, that's certain.""No; but maybe you can't rise," remarked Tom grimly.