Part 8 (1/2)
[Illustration: Tom Headed the shi+p Up]
In so with the straps about his big, old-fashi+oned valise Young Neondered what the elderlyfor so intensely
”Ahoy there, To up with a bottle in his hand ”I've got a drop o' gasoline here that may help ye!”
[Illustration: ”I've Got a Drop of Gasoline”]
”What's that?” gasped the pilot Turning, he saw the quart bottle
Already the re of thirst ”Quick, Ned!” he ordered, snatching the container ”Take the controls and hold the shi+p level”
Five seconds later the inventor was creeping out along one wing toward the intake valve of the port gas tank Their hearts almost in their ress In spite of the clutching hand of the wind and the quavering of the shi+p under Ned's inexpert guidance, Tooal
[Illustration: He Crept Along One Wing]
Re the cap with no little difficulty, he duasoline into the tank In a few ot back to the cabin As he closed the door the laboring engine once ot what it takes!” ruly ”You're afellow!”
”Youover the controls preparatory to landing on Carlopa ”Without that extra bit of gas we'd be piled up in a tree by now!”
[Illustration: He Emptied the Precious Drops]
The quart of fuel was just sufficient to carry the shi+p safely down to the lake's surface at a point about three miles fro near-by in his cat-boat and gladly offered to take the three over to the Swift dock, which jutted out frorounds behind Toed Arroas towed across to the dock and her tanks refilled with high-test gasoline While this was being done, Tom and Ned went to the home of Mr Damon to ask if he would like to accompany them to the West Indies
[Illustration: To in an easy chair on his front porch, where he spent much time, now that he was home from the hospital
[Illustration: They Went to See Mr Da better than to make the trip!” he said a trifle wistfully ”To tell you the truth, though,” his voice sank to a whisper, ”between the doctors and Mrs Damon I'll be lucky if I'm allowed to walk around the block alone for some time to co on you”
[Illustration: ”We Were Counting on You”]
”Blesstackle, Tom, I'm sorry too But tell asoline in his satchel?” asked the eccentric gentleman after he had been told of the airplane's narrow escape
”I thought it strange myself,” said Torease spots from his clothes”
”Ha! He e boat folks get their clothes pretty dirty, at that”
After the boys returned home it was decided that they and Mr Britten would set out for Florida the next raphed his caretaker to get the ”Betsy B” in order and arrange to hire a tug-boat
[Illustration: They Planned to Start the Next Day]
Late in the afternoon Tom called his chum on the phone ”Can you spareto have soht over,” replied Ned ”Where are you?”