Part 11 (2/2)
The two boys were soon working away, and were busy over the big lantern when Mr Whitford cauard at the outer door of the shop, but he knew the custom officer, and at once ad on?” he asked
”Pretty good I think I've got just what I want A powerful light for night work”
”That's good You'll need it They've got so they only sht no soon do you think you'll be able to get on the border for Uncle Sareat rush?” asked Toent's face
”Yes, the s us pretty hard lately My superiors are after , but I can't see hard, but we can't catch the rascals”
”You see, Tooods over the St Lawrence They're working now in the neighborhood of Huntington, Canada, and the dividing line between the British possessions and New York State, runs along solid ground there It's a wild and desolate part of country, too, and I haven't many men up there”
”Don't the Canadian custom officers help?” asked Ned
”Well, they haven't been of any aid to us so far,” was the answer
”No doubt they are trying, but it's hard to get an airshi+p at night when you're on the ground, and can't even see it”
”How did they come to use airshi+ps?” asked Tom
”Well, it was because ere too sharp after thes across the line afoot, or by wagons,” replied the agent ”You must know that in every principal city, at or near the border line, there is a custoht froh there and pay a duty”
”Of course if lawless people try to evade the duty they don't go near the custom house But there are inspectors stationed at the principal roads leading from the Dominion into Uncle Sam's territory, and they are always on the lookout They patrol the line, soain over a desolate plain, always on the watch If they see persons crossing the line they stop the dutiable they are allowed to pass If they have goods on which there is a tax, they either have to pay or surrender the goods”
”But don't the slers slip over in spite of all the precautions?”
asked Ned ”Say at some lonely ravine, or stretch of woods?”
”I suppose they do, occasionally,” replied Mr Whitford ”Yet the fact that they never can tell when one of the inspectors or deputies is co, acts as a stop You see the border line is divided up into stretches of different lengths A certain man, or men, are held responsible for each division They lers pass That makes them on the alert”
”Why, take it out west, I have a friend who told me that he often travels hundreds ofoutfit, patroling the border on the lookout for slers”
”In fact Uncle Saler to do business on foot or by wagon, that these fellows have taken to airshi+ps And it is practically i the border to be on the lookout for the craft of the air
Even if they saw them, what could they do? It would be out of the question to stop them That's e need some one with a proper h the air, and give theht in the clouds if they have to”
”Our custoround, and our inspectors on horse back, traveling along the border, can'ton you, Tom Swift, and I hope you don't disappoint us”
”Well,” spoke Tom, when Mr Whitford had finished ”I'll doto coive it a trial My airshi+p is ready for service, and once I find we're all right I'll start for the border”
”Good! And I hope you'll catch the rascals!” fervently exclai it all to you Here are some reports from my deputies I'll leave then When you are ready to start I'll see you again, and give you any last news I have I'll also arrange so that you can communicate with me, or some of my men”