Part 28 (1/2)
”Is everything all right, Ned?” called Tom, as he turned on a little reat pillar of fire that now reddened the sky for miles around
”All ready,” was the answer ”You only have to give the hen you want us to let go”
”Let go!” cried Mr Damon ”Bless my umbrella, Too the extinguisher grenades,” said Mr Baxter ”Shall we let theo at once, Tom?” asked the chemist
”No, drop half when I shoot over the first time We'll see what effect they have, and then come back with the rest”
”That's the idea!” cried Ned ”Well, give us the hen you're ready, To inventor, and with keen eyes he began to set the autorenades would be able to drop theher and higher above the ill-fated Land It was a ”land-mark” now, for miles around--a fearsome mark, indeed
”I hope every one is out of the place,” said Ned, as the airshi+p approached nearer and the fierceness of the fire was ht!” exclaimed Mr Damon ”I don't see how any one could live in that furnace”
Seen fro the whole building, while, as aBut it was only a question of tinite
And it was to this fact--that the fire was rushi+ng up the stairway and elevator shafts as up a chi, owed their teirl he loved was in such direful danger, it is doubtful if his hand would have been as steady as it was on throttle and steering wheel But not aout a prearranged task He was going to extinguish a great blaze, or atte apparatus And his previous tests had given hiret was that the fire depart the purchase of certain rights in his invention could not witness what he was about to do
”But they'll hear of it,” declared Ned, when Tom voiced this idea to his chu colued her way Tense and alert, To his craft with her load of fire-defying chemicals Behind hirenades at the word
”Getting close, Toration in the Land, which now seemed doomed
”You'll not dare cross it too loill you?”
”No, I'll have to keep pretty well up,” was the answer ”There's a current of air over that fire whichin colder air fro colu blaze, is very powerful Tom knew he had to avoid this
It was now al directly into the path of the up-spouting fla that to do this at too low an elevation would result in disaster, Tole Then he turned to call to his coive the word!”
”All set and ready!” answered Ned, and the others signified their attention to the co attained what he considered a sufficient elevation, To column of fire and smoke
If ever his craft of the air was to justify her naht and true as an arrow she headed for the fiery pillar! Hotter and hotter grew the air! The darkness of the night was lighted by the awful fire, which rendered objects in the street clear and distinct
But Tom and his friends had little ti inventor, as he felt a rush of heat across his face, partly protected, as it was, by great goggles
”All ready!” shouted Ned