FINISHING TOUCHES
Tom Swift and Ned Newton were so accustomed to acting quickly and in emergencies that it did not take them long to run out the airship, which Tom had in readiness, not especially for this emergency, but to demonstrate his new apparatus to a committee of fire underwriters whom he had invited to call in a few days.
"Take this, if you will, Mr.Baxter!" cried Tom, giving the chemist a metal container."It's a little different combination from the extinguisher I already have in the machine.Maybe I'll get a chance to try it.""You're going to have all the chance you want, Tom, by the looks of that blaze," commented Ned Newton.
"It does look like quite a fire," observed Tom, as he gazed up at the sky, where the reflection was turning to a brighter red.
Outside in the streets near the Swift house and shops could be heard the rattle of fire apparatus, the patter of running feet, and many shouts from excited men and boys.
"Any idea what it is, Ned?" asked Tom, as he motioned to Mr.Baxter to climb into the aircraft.
"Some one said it was the new Normal School.But that's farther to the north," was Ned's answer."By the way the blaze has increased since I first saw it, I'd take it to be the lumberyard.""That would make a monster blaze!" observed Tom."I don't believe I'll have chemicals enough for that," and he looked at the rather small supply in his craft."However, I haven't time to get any more.Besides, they'll have the regular department on the job, and this isn't a skyscraper, anyhow.""No, we'll have to go to New York or Newmarket for one of those," observed Ned."All ready, Tom?""All ready," said the young inventor, as Ned took his place beside Mr.Baxter.
"What's the matter, Tom?" asked the voice of Mr.Swift, as he cameout into the yard, having been attracted by the flashing lights and the noise of the aircraft motor, as Tom gave it a preliminary test.
"There's a fire in town," Tom answered."I'm going to see if they need my services.""Guess there isn't any question about that," said his business manager.
Tom's father, who was suffering the infirmities of age, was in the habit of retiring early, and he had dozed off in his chair directly after supper, to be awakened by the shouting and confusion about the place.
"Take care of yourself, my boy!" he advised, as there came a moment of silence before the throttle of the aircraft was opened to send it on its upward journey."Don't take too many risks.""I won't," Tom promised."We'll be back soon."Then came the roar of the motor as Tom cut out the muffler to gain speed and, a moment later, he and his two friends were sailing aloft with a load of fire-extinguishing chemicals.
Up and up rose the aircraft.It was not the first time Mr.Baxter had enjoyed the sensation, but he was not enough of a veteran to be immune to the thrills nor to be altogether void of fear.And it was his first night trip.Still he gave few evidences of nervousness.
"These she is!" cried Ned, for when the exhaust from the motor was sent through the new muffler Tom had attached it was possible to talk aboard the Lucifer.The young manager pointed down toward the earth, over which the craft was then skimming, though at no great height.
"It is the lumberyard!" exclaimed Mr.Baxter presently.
"It sure is," assented Tom."I know I haven't enough stuff to cover as big a blaze as that, but I'll do my best.Fortunately there is no wind to speak of," he added, as he guided the craft in the direction of the fire.
"What has that to do with it--I mean as far as the working of your chemical extinguisher is concerned?" asked Mr.Baxter."Can't you drop the bomb containers accurately in a wind?""Well, the wind has to be allowed for in dropping anything from an aeroplane," Tom answered."And, naturally, it does spoil your aim to an extent.But the reason I'm glad there is no wind to speak of is that the chemical blanket I hope to spread over the fire won't be so quickly blownaway."
"Oh, I see," said Mr.Baxter."Well, I'm glad that you will be able to have a successful test of your invention.""The regular land apparatus is on hand," observed Ned, for they were now so near the fire that they could look down and, in the reflection from the blaze, could see engines, hose-wagons and hook and ladder trucks arriving and deploying to different places of advantage, from which to fight the lumberyard fire that was now a roaring furnace of flames.
"No skyscraper work needed here," observed Tom."But it will give me a chance to use the latest combination I worked out.I'll try that first.Are you ready with it, Mr.Baxter?""Yes," was the answer.