Part 11 (1/2)

They made inquiries about the chances of getting ivory and were told that they were good if they went far enough into the jungle and forests, for the big beasts had penetrated farther and farther inland.

They also tried to get some news regarding the captive missionaries, but were unsuccessful nor could they learn what had become of Tomba, who had brought the dire news to civilization.

”It's too soon to hope for anything yet,” said Mr. Anderson. ”Wait until we get near the country of the red pygmies.”

”And then it may be too late,” said Tom in a low voice.

It was two weeks after their arrival in Majumba that Tom announced that all was in readiness. The airs.h.i.+p was in perfect working order, it was well stocked with food, arms, articles and trinkets with which to trade among the natives, spare parts for the machinery, special tools and a good supply of the chemicals needed to manufacture the lifting gas.

Of course Tom did not leave behind his electric weapon and Mr.

Durban and the others took plenty of ammunition for the ordinary rifles which they carried.

One morning, after cabling to his father that they were about to start, Tom gave a last careful look to his airs.h.i.+p, tested the motor and dynamos, took a hasty survey of the storeroom, to see that nothing had been forgotten, and gave the word to get aboard.

They took their places in the cabin. Outside a crowd of natives, and white traders of many nationalities had gathered. Tom pulled the starting lever. The Black Hawk shot across a specially prepared starting ground, and, attaining sufficient momentum, suddenly arose into the air.

There was a cheer from the watching crowd, and several superst.i.tious blacks, who saw the airs.h.i.+p for the first time, ran away in terror.

Up into the blue atmosphere Tom took his craft. He looked down on the city over which he was flying. Then he pointed the prow of the Black Hawk toward the heart of the dark continent.

”Off for the interior!” he murmured. ”I wonder if we'll ever get out again?”

No one could answer. They had to take their chances with the dangers and terrors of elephant land, and with the red pygmies. Yet Tom Swift was not afraid.

CHAPTER XI

ANCh.o.r.eD TO EARTH

With the voyage on the steamer, their arrival in Africa, the many strange sights of the city of Majumba, and the refitting of the airs.h.i.+p, our friends had hardly had time to catch their breath since Tom Swift's determination to go elephant hunting. Now, as the Black Hawk was speeding into the interior, they felt, for the first time in many weeks, that they ”could take it easy,” as Ned Newton expressed it.

”Thank goodness,” said the bank clerk, ”I can sit down and look at something for a while,” and he gazed out of the main cabin windows down at the wild country over which they were then flying.

For, so swiftly had the airs.h.i.+p moved that it was hardly any time at all before it had left Majumba far behind, and was scudding over the wilderness.

”Bless my camera,” exclaimed Mr. Damon, who had brought along one of the picture machines, ”bless my camera! I don't call that much to look at,” and he pointed to the almost impenetrable forest over which they then were.

”No, it isn't much of a view,” said the old elephant hunter, ”but wait. You'll soon see all you want to. Africa isn't all like this.

There are many strange sights before us yet. But, Tom Swift, tell us how the airs.h.i.+p is working in this climate. Do you find any difficulty managing it?”

”Not at all,” answered Tom, who was in the cabin then, having set the automatic steering apparatus in the pilot house, and come back to join the others. ”It works as well as it did in good old York State. Of course I can't tell what affect the continual hot and moist air will have on the gas bag, but I guess we'll make out all right.”

”I certainly hope so,” put in Mr. Anderson. ”It would be too bad to be wrecked in the middle of Africa, with no way to get out.”

”Oh, you needn't worry about that,” said Ned with a laugh. ”If the airs.h.i.+p should smash, Tom would build another out of what was left, and we'd sail away as good as before.”

”Hardly that,” answered the young inventor.

”But we won't cross a bridge until we hear it coming, as Eradicate would say. h.e.l.lo, that looks like some sort of native village.”