Part 5 (2/2)

Mary's Present

Outside a rudely-constructed shack, in the e field, about a s owned by Toures one round, were two insulated wires, which led to a pile of rocks and earth so ca rock, of peculiar formation

”That's it, Koku!” exclaimed Tom Swift ”Now don't drop it on your toes”

”No, Master, iant said, as he strode off with the heavy load as easily as a boy -shot

Koku placed the big rock on top of the pile of dirt and stones and came back to the hut, just as Eradicate, the coloredahead, and ran into Eradicate with such force that the latter would have fallen had not the giant clasped his big arrily deone an' knocked de breff outen me, dat's whut yo' all done! I'll bash yo' wif a rock, dat's what I'll do!”

Koku, laughing, tried to explain that it was all an accident, but Eradicate would not listen He looked about for a stone to throw at the giant, though it was doubtful, with his feeble strength, and considering the great frae would have been done But Eradicate saw no rocks nearer than the pile in which ended the two insulated wires, and, withalong on his rheus

From the shack Tom Swift hailed:

”Hi there, Rad! Coit a rock, Massa Toiant! He done knocked de breff outen me, so he did”

”You co to blow it up in a et too near you'll have the breath knocked out of you worse than Koku did it Come back, I say!”

But Eradicate was obstinate and kept on Tohed, and then in exasperation cried:

”Koku, go and get hi him back Carry him if he won't coet the fright of his life, and he sure will if he goes too close Bring hiiant's answer

He ran toward Eradicate, who, seeing his tor pace toward the stone pile But he was no les, picked up Eradicate, and, flinging hiht hiiant

”So I see,” laughed Torn ”Now you stay here, Rad”

”No, sah! No, sah, Massa Toit a rock an'--an'

bash his haid--dat's what I'se gwine t' do!” and the colored le to his feet

”Look out now!” cried Toht there won't be a rock left for you to 'bash' anybody's head with, Rad Look out!”

The three cowered inside the shack, which, though it was rudelyof sod and bags of sand

Tom turned a switch There was a loud report, and where the stone pile had been there was a big hole in the ground, while the air was filled with fragments of rock and dirt These came down in a shower on the roof of the shack, and Eradicate covered his ears with his tre hands

”Am--am de world comin' to de end, Massa Tom?” he asked ”Am dat Gabriel's trump I done heah?”