Part 15 (1/2)

The policeman inquired for more particulars from Tom, who related how the hold-up had taken place. The young inventor, however, said nothing about the map he carried, letting the officer think it was an ordinary attempt at robbery, for Tom did not want any reference in the newspapers to his search for the valley of gold.

Presently the other policeman returned, having been unable to get any trace of the daring men. The two bluecoats wanted to accompany Tom back to the airs.h.i.+p shed, for his own safety, but he declared there was no more danger, and, after having given his name, so that the affair might be reported at headquarters, he was allowed to go on his way. His head ached from the blow, but otherwise he was unhurt.

”Those fellows have been keeping watch for me,” the lad reasoned, as he walked quickly toward the airs.h.i.+p shed. ”They must have been shadowing me, and they hid there until I came back. Andy Foger and his father must be getting desperate. I think I know why, too. That little dig I gave Andy about his map is bearing fruit. He begins to think it's the wrong map, and he wants to get hold of the right one.

Well, they shan't if I can help it. We'll be away from here in the morning.”

There was indignation and some alarm among Tom's friends when he told his story a little later that night.

”Bless my walking-stick!” cried Mr. Damon. ”You'll need a bodyguard after this.”

”I'd just like t' git my hands on them fellers!” exclaimed the old miner. ”I'd show 'em!” and a look at his rugged frame and his muscular arms and gnarled hands showed Tom and Ned that in the event of a fight they could count much on Abe Abercrombie.

”I am glad there will be no more delays, and that we will soon be moving northward,” spoke Mr. Parker, a little later. ”I am anxious to confirm my theory about the advance of the ice crust, I met a man to-day who had just returned from the north of Alaska. He said that a severe winter had already set in up there. So I am anxious to get to the ice caves.”

”So am I,” added Tom, but it was for a different reason.

They were all up early the next morning, for there were several things to look after before they started on the trip that might bring much of danger to the adventurers. Under Tom's direction, more gas was generated, and forced into the big bag. A last adjustment was made of the planes, wing tips and rudders, and the motor was given a try-out.

”I guess everything is all right,” announced the young inventor.

”We'll take her out.”

The RED CLOUD was wheeled from the big shed, and placed on the open lot, where she would have room to rush across the ground to acquire momentum enough to rise in the air. Tom, whenever it was practical, always mounted this way, rather than by means of the lifting gas, as, in the event of a wind, he would have better control of the s.h.i.+p, while it was ascending into the upper currents of air, than when it was rising like a balloon.

”All aboard!” cried the lad, as he looked to see that the course was clear. Early as it was, there was quite a crowd on hand to witness the flight, as there had been every day of late, for the population of Seattle was curious regarding the big craft of the air.

”Let her go!” cried Ned Newton, enthusiastically.

Tom took his place in the steering-tower, or pilothouse, which was forward of the main cabin. Ned was in the engine-room, ready to give any a.s.sistance if needed. Mr. Damon, Mr. Parker and Abe Abercrombie were in the main cabin, looking out of the windows at the rapidly increasing throng.

”Here we go!” cried the young inventor, as he pulled the lever starting the motor, There was a buzz and a hum. The powerful propellers whirred around like blurs of light. Forward shot the great airs.h.i.+p over the ground, gathering speed at every revolution of the blades.

Tom tilted the forward rudder to lift the s.h.i.+p. Suddenly it shot over the heads of the crowd. There was a cheer and some applause.

”Off for the frozen north!” cried Ned, waving his cap.

Tom s.h.i.+fted the rudder, to change the course of the airs.h.i.+p. Mr.

Damon was gazing on the crowd below.

”Tom! Tom!” he cried suddenly. ”There's the man with the black mustache--the man who tried to rob you in the sleeping-car!” He pointed downward to some one in the throng.

”He can't get us now!” exclaimed Tom, as he increased the speed of the RED CLOUD, and then, taking up a telescope, after setting the automatic steering gear, Tom pointed the gla.s.s at the person whom Mr. Damon had indicated.

CHAPTER XII

PELTED BY HAILSTONES

”Yes, that's the man all right,” observed the lad. ”But if he came here to have another try for the map, he's too late. I hope we don't land now until we are in the valley of gold.” Tom pa.s.sed the telescope to Ned, who confirmed the identification.

”Perhaps he came to see if we started, and then he'll report to Andy Foger or his father by telegraph,” suggested Mr. Damon.