Part 22 (1/2)

There was little time to lose Every moment of delay meant so much less chance for the recovery of Mr Swift Even now the periods of consciousness were beco

Tom resolutely refused to think of the possibility of death, as he went in to bid his parent good-by before starting off on his trip through the air Mr Swift barely knew his son, and, with tears in his eyes, though he bravely tried to keep the inventor went out into the yard

There stood the Hu over her, to get her in perfect trim for the race before her--a race with death

Fortunately there was little to be done to get the speedy craft ready

To for word from Dr Hendrix Now about all that needed to be done was to see that there was plenty of gasoline and oil in the reservoirs

”I'll give you a note to Dr Hendrix,” said Mr Gladby, as Touard ”I--I trust you won't be disappointed, Tom

I hope he will consent to return with you”

”He's got to co inventor, simply, as if that was all there was to it

”Do you think you can make the trip in time?” asked Mr Damon ”It is a little less than a hundred o back Can the aeroplane do it?”

”I'd be asha of his lips ”She's just got to do it; that's all! But I know she will,” and he patted the big propeller and the h the , who could understand hi of sand to ood balance

”Start her,” ordered Toht at once, and the air throbbed with the noise of the explosions To true

”Two thousand pounds thrust!” called the engineer, as he looked at the scale

”Let her go!” cried Tom, whose voice was hardly heard above the roar

The tri speed at every revolution of the wheels Then with a spring like that of soht, she left the earth, and took to the air Tom was off on his trip

Those left behind sent up a cautious cheer, for they did not want to disturb Mr Swift They waved their hands to the young inventor, and he waved his in reply Then he settled down for one of the swiftest flights he had ever undertaken

Tom ascended until he struck a favorable current of air There was a little wind blowing in the direction he wished to take, and that aided hi-Bird could round slipping backward beneath him

Carefully he watched the various indicators, and listened intently to the sound of the cylinders' explosions They ca well

Toistered two thousand feet, and he decided to keep at about that height, as it gave hiood view, and he could see to steer, for a route had been hastily mapped out for hies, scattered far stretches of open country he flew Often he could see eager crowds below, gazing up at hiht of a certain broad river, which was near Kirkville Then he kneould be close to his goal

He had speeded up theto do now, save totips and rudders, and to see that the gasoline and oil were properly fed to the -Bird, but Tos--of his father--of what he would do if Mr Swift died--of the mysterious airshi+p--of the stolen plans--of the fire in the shed--of the great race--and of Andy Foger

He took little note of tihted the river that told him he was near to Kirkville, he was rather startled

”You certainly did co-Bird!” he murmured proudly

He descended several hundred feet, and, as he passed over the town, the people of which greildly excited, he looked about for the house of the noted specialist He kne to pick it out, for Dr Gladby had described it to hilad to see, as he came within view of the residence, that it was surrounded by a large yard

”I can land al to earth with an ease born of long practice