Victor Appleton.......................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER I A STRANGE OFFER ...................................................................................................1

CHAPTER II A MAN IN THE SNOW BANK.................................................................................5

CHAPTER III TOM MAKES UP HIS MIND ...................................................................................8

CHAPTER IV HELD FAST............................................................................................................12

CHAPTER V TOM GETS A WARNING.......................................................................................16

CHAPTER VI TRYING THE CAMERA ........................................................................................20

CHAPTER VII WHAT THE CAMERA CAUGHT ........................................................................23

CHAPTER VIII PHOTOS FROM THE AIRSHIP ..........................................................................26

CHAPTER IX OFF FOR INDIA.....................................................................................................30

CHAPTER X UNEXPECTED EXCITEMENT..............................................................................33

CHAPTER XI AN ELEPHANT STAMPEDE................................................................................36

CHAPTER XII THE LION FIGHT.................................................................................................39

CHAPTER XIII A SHOT IN TIME .................................................................................................44

CHAPTER XIV IN A GREAT GALE .............................................................................................46

CHAPTER XV SNAPPING AN AVALANCHE............................................................................49

CHAPTER XVI TELEGRAPH ORDERS .......................................................................................52

CHAPTER XVII SUSPICIOUS STRANGERS..............................................................................54

CHAPTER XVIII THE NATIVE BATTLE....................................................................................59

CHAPTER XIX A HEAVY LOSS..................................................................................................60

CHAPTER XX AFTER THE ENGLISHMEN ................................................................................63

CHAPTER XXI THE JUNGLE FIRE.............................................................................................65

CHAPTER XXII A DANGEROUS COMMISSION......................................................................67

CHAPTER XXIII AT THE VOLCANO ..........................................................................................70

CHAPTER XXIV THE MOLTEN RIVER ......................................................................................72

CHAPTER XXV THE EARTHQUAKECONCLUSION ...........................................................74

It was Koku, or August, as he was sometimes called, the new giant servant of Tom Swift, who made this

"Who is it, Koku?" inquired Tom, looking up from his workbench in the machine shop, where he was busy

over a part of the motor for his new noiseless airship. "Any one I know? Is it the 'Blessing Man?'" for so

"Quick business; eh? I guess you mean important, Koku," for this gigantic man, one of a pair that Tom had

brought with him after his captivity in "Giant Land," as he called it, could not speak English very well, as yet.

"No, Mr. Tom. Him say he have no card. You not know him, but he very much what you callrecited."

"Excited I guess you mean, Koku. Well, tell him to wait a few minutes, and I'll see him. You can show him in

then. But I say, Koku," and Tom paused as he looked at the big man, who had attached himself to our hero, as

"Don't let him go poking around the shop. He might look at some of my machines that I haven't got fully

"Oh, that's all right then. Just keep him there. And, Koku, don't let him come back in the shop here, until I get

Koku, very proud of his, mission of keeping guard over the strange visitor, marched from the room with his

big strides, his long arms and powerful hands swinging at his sides, for Koku, or August, as Tom had

rechristened him, and as he often called him (for it was in the month of August that he had located the giants)

was a very powerful man. A veritable giant, being extremely tall, and big in proportion.

"Be sure. Don't let him in here, Koku!" called Tom, in an additional warning, as his new servant left the main

"I don't know who he may be," mused Tom, as he began putting away the parts to his new noiseless motor, so

that the stranger could not see them, and profit thereby. "It looks rather funny, not sending in his name. It

may be some one who thinks he can spring a trick on me, and get some points about my inventions, or dad's.

"It may even be somebody sent on by Andy Foger, or his father. I can't be too careful. I'll just put everything

away that isn't fully covered by patents, and then if he wants to infringe on any of the machines I can sue

Tom looked about the shop, which was filled with strange machinery, most of which had been made by

himself, or his father, or under their combined directions. There was a big biplane in one corner, a small

monoplane in another, parts of a submarine boat hanging up overhead, and a small, but very powerful,

electric auto waiting to have some repairs made to it, for on his last trip in it Tom Swift had suffered a slight

"There, I guess he can't see anything but what I want him to," mused Tom, as he put away the last part of a

new kind of motor, from which he hoped great things. "Let's see, yes, it's out of sight now. I wish Ned

Newton, or Mr. Damon were here to be a witness in case he starts anything. But then I have Koku, even if he

doesn't speak much English yet. If it comes to blowswell, I wouldn't want that giant to hit me," finished

Tom with a laugh, as he rang the bell to announce to his servant that the visitor might be shown in.

There was a sound outside the door that separated the business office from the main shop, and Tom heard

"What's the matter with me going ahead?" demanded a quick, snappy voice. "I'm in a hurry, and"

"You wait! I go first," was the giant's reply, and then came the sound of a scuffle.

"Ouch! Say! Hold on there, my man! Take your hand off my shoulder! You're crushing me with those big

"Humph! I guess Koku must have grabbed him," said Tom softly. "I don't like that sort of a visitor. What's his

hurry getting in here?" and our hero looked about, to see if he had a weapon at hand in case of an attack.

Often cranks had forced their way into his shop, with pet inventions which they wanted him to perfect after

they had themselves failed. Tom saw a heavy iron bar at hand, and knew this would serve to protect him.

"You come after me!" exclaimed Koku, when the voice of the other had ceased. "Do you stand under me?"

"Oh, yes, I understand all right. I'll keep back. But I didn't mean anything. I'm just in a hurry to see Tom

Swift, that is all. I'm always in a hurry in fact. I've lost nearly a thousand dollars this morning, just by this

"Another crank, I guess," mused Tom. "Well, I'm not going to waste much time on him."

A moment later the door opened, and into the shop stepped Koku, followed by a short, stout, fussy little man,

"Is this Mr. Tom Swift?" asked the stranger, as he advanced and held out his hand to the young man.

"Yes," answered Tom, looking carefully at the visitor. He did not seem to be dangerous, he had no weapon,

and, Tom was relieved to note that he did not carry some absurd machine, or appliance, that he had made,

hoping to get help in completing it. The youth was trying to remember if he had ever seen the stranger before,

"Sorry to take up your time," went on the man, "but I just had to see you. No one else will do. I've heard lots

about you. That was a great stunt you pulled off, getting those giants for the circus. This is one; isn't he?" and

"Yes," replied Tom, wondering if the little man was in such a hurry why he did not get down to business.

"I thought so," the caller went on, as he shook hands with Tom. "Once you felt his grip you'd know he was a

giant, even if you didn't see him. Yes, that was a great stunt. And going to the caves of ice, too, and that

"How did you know about them?" interrupted Tom, wishing the man would tell his errand.

"Oh, you're better known than you have any idea of, Tom Swift. As soon as I got this idea of mine I said right

away, to some of the others in my business, I says, says I, 'Tom Swift is the boy for us. I'll get him to

undertake this work, and then it will be done to the Queen's taste. Tom's the boy who can do it,' I says, and

they all agreed with me. So I came here today, and I'm sorry I had to wait to see you, for I'm the busiest man

in the world, I believe, and, as I said, I've lost about a thousand dollars waiting to have a talk with you. I"

"I am sorry," interrupted Tom, and he was not very cordial. "But I was busy, and"

"All right! All right! Don't apologize!" broke in the man in rapid tones, while both Tom, and his servant,

Koku, looked in surprise at the quick flow of language that came from him. "Don't apologize for the world.

It's my fault for bothering you. And I'll lose several thousand dollars, willingly, if you'll undertake this job.

I'll make money from it as it is. It's worth ten thousand dollars to you, I should say, and I'm willing to pay

He looked about, as though for a seat, and Tom, apologizing for his neglect in offering one, shoved a box

"We don't have chairs in here," said the young inventor with a smile. "Now if you will tell me what you"

"I'm coming right to it. I'll get down to business in a moment," interrupted the man as he sat down on the box,

not without a grunt or two, I for he was very stout. "I'm going to introduce myself in just a second, and then

I'm going to tell you who I am. And I hope you'll take up my offer, though it may seem a strange one."

The man took out a pocketbook, and began searching through it, evidently for some card or paper.

"He's as odd as Mr. Damon is, when he's blessing everything," mused Tom, as he watched the man.

"I thought I had a card with me, but I haven't," the visitor went on. "No matter. I'm James Periodpromoter

of all kinds of amusement enterprises, from a merrygo'round to a theatrical performance. I want you to"

"No more going after giants," interrupted. Tom. "It's too dangerous, and I haven't time"

"No, it has nothing to do with giants," spoke Mr. Period, as he glanced up at Koku, who towered over him as

"This is something entirely new. It has never been done before, though if you should happen to be able to get

"Get a picture?" exclaimed Tom, wondering if, after all, his visitor might not be a little insane.

"Pictures, yes. Listen. I'm James Period. Jim, if you like it better, or just plain 'Spotty.' That's what most of

my friends call me. Get the idea? A period is a spot. I'm a Period, therefor I'm a spot. But that isn't the real

reason. It's because I'm always Johnny on the Spot when anything is happening. If it's a big boxing

exhibition, I'm there. If it's a coronation, I'm there, or some of my men are. If it's a Durbar in India, you'll find

Spotty on the spot. That's me. If there's going to be a building blown up with dynamiteI'm on hand; or

some of my men. If there's a fire I get there as soon as the engines doif it's a big one. Always on the

spotthat's meJames PeriodSpotty for short. Do you get me?" and he drew a long breath and looked at

"In the moving picture business," interrupted Mr. Period, who never seemed to let Tom finish a sentence.

"I'm the biggest moving picture man in the worldnot in size, but in business. I make all the best films.

You've seen some of 'em I guess. Every one of 'em has my picture on the end of the film. Shows up great.

"Yes," replied Tom, as he recalled that he had seen some of the films in question, and good ones they were

"You want to know why I come to you; don't you?" again interrupted "Spotty," with a laugh. "Well, I'll tell

you. I need you in my business. I want you to invent a new kind of moving picture camera. A small light

oneworked by electricitya regular wizard camera. I want you to take it up in an airship with you, and

then go to all sorts of wild and strange countries, Africa, Indiathe junglesget pictures of wild animals at

peace and fightingherds of elephantsget scenes of native wars earthquakeseruptions of

volcanoesall the newest and most wonderful pictures you can. You'll have to make a new kind of camera

"Now do you get me? I'm going to give you ten thousand dollars, above all your expenses, for some films

such as I've been speaking of. I want novelty. Got to have it in my business! You can do it. Now will you?"

"Don't answer me now," broke in Mr. Period. "Take four minutes to think it over. Or even five. I guess I can

wait that long. Take five minutes. I'll wait while you make up your mind, but I know you'll do it. Five

minutesno more,' and hastily getting up off the box Mr. Period began impatiently pacing up and down the

Tom Swift looked somewhat in surprise at his strange visitor. It had all happened so suddenly, the offer had

been such a strange one, the man himselfMr. Periodwas so odd, that our hero hardly knew what to

think. The moving picture agent continued pacing up and down the room now and then looking at his watch

"No," said Tom to himself. "I'm not going to take this offer. There's too much work and risk attached to it. I

want to stay at home and work on my noiseless motor for the airship. After that wellI don't know what

I'll do. I'll tell Mr. Period that he needn't wait the five minutes. My mind is made up now!"

But as Tom was about to make this announcement, and dismiss his caller, he looked again at the visitor.

There was something attractive about himabout his hasty way of talking, about his manner of interrupting,

"Well," he reflected, "I may as well wait until the five minutes are up, anyhow."

Koku, the giant servant, glanced at his young master, as if to ask if there was anything that he could do. Tom

shook his head, and then the big man strolled over to the other side of the machine shop, at the same time

While Tom is waiting for the time to expire, I will take a few minutes to tell you something more about him.

Those of my friends who have read the previous books in this series need no introduction to my hero, but

those who may chance upon this as their first book in the Tom Swift series, will like to be more formally

Tom, whose mother had been dead some years, lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the town of Shopton.

Mr. Swift was an inventor of prominence, and his son was fast following in his footsteps. A Mrs. Baggert

kept house for the Swifts, and another member of the household was Eradicate Sampson, an aged colored

man, who said he used to "eradicate" the dirt. He had been with Tom on many trips, but of late was getting

old and feeble. Then there was Garret Jackson, an engineer employed by the Swifts. These were all the

Tom had a chum, Ned Newton, who used to work in a bank, and there was a girl, Mary Nestor, a daughter of

Eradicate Sampson had a mule, Boomerang, of whom he thought almost as much as he did of Tom. Eradicate

was a faithful friend and servant, but, of late, Koku, or August, the giant, had rather supplanted him. I must

not forget Mr. Wakefield Damon, of Waterfield, a village near Shopton. Mr. Damon was an odd man, always

blessing everything. He and Tom were good friends, and had been on many trips together.

The first book of the series was called "Tom Swift and His MotorCycle," and related how Tom bought the

cycle from Mr. Damon, after the latter had met with an accident on it, and it was in this way that our hero

Tom had many adventures on his motorcycle, and, later on he secured a motorboat, in which he beat his

enemy, Andy Foger, in a race. Next Tom built an airship, and in this he went on a wonderful trip. Returning

from this he and his father heard about a treasure sunken under the ocean. In his submarine boat Tom secured

In his electric runabout, which was the swiftest car on the road, Tom was able to save from ruin a bank in

which his father was interested, and, a short time after that, he went on a trip in an airship, with a man who

had invented a new kind. The airship was smashed, and fell to Earthquake Island, where there were some

refugees from a shipwreck, among them being the parents of Mary Nestor. In the volume called "Tom Swift

When Tom went among the diamond makers he had more strange adventures, on that trip discovering the

secret of phantom mountain. He had bad luck when he went to the caves of ice, for there his airship was

When Tom made the trip in his sky racer he broke all records for an aerial flight, incidentally saving his

father's life. It was some time after this when he invented an electric rifle, and went to elephant land, to

The eleventh volume of the series is called "Tom Swift in the Land of Gold," and relates his adventures

underground, while the next one tells of a new machine he inventedan airglider which he used to save

the exiles of Siberia, incidentally, on that trip, finding a valuable deposit of platinum.

As I have said, it was on his trip to giant land that Tom got his big servant. This book, the thirteenth of the

series, is called "Tom Swift in Captivity," for the giants captured him and his friends, and it was only by

Tom had been back from the strange land some time now. One giant he had turned over to the circus

representative for whom he had undertaken the mission, and the other he retained to work around his shop, as

Eradicate was getting too old. It was now winter, and there had been quite a fall of snow the day before Mr.

Period, the odd moving picture man, called on Tom. There were many big drifts outside the building.

Tom had fitted up a wellequipped shop, where he and his father worked on their inventions. Occasionally

Ned Newton, or Mr. Damon, would come over to help them, but of late Tom had been so busy on his

"'Well, I guess the five minutes have passed, and my mind is made up," thought Tom, as he looked at his

watch. "I might as well tell Mr. Period that I can't undertake his commission. In the first place it isn't going to

be an easy matter to make an electric moving picture camera. I'd have to spend a lot of time studying up the

"And, again, I can't spare the time to go to all sorts of wild and impossible places to get the pictures. It's all

well enough to talk about getting moving pictures of natives in battle, or wild beasts fighting, or volcanoes in

action, but it isn't so easy to do it. Then, too, I'd have to make some changes in my airship if I went on that

Mr. Period pulled out his watch, opened it quickly, snapped it shut again, and exclaimed:

"Well, how about it, Tom Swift? When can you start! The sooner the better for me! You'll want some money

for expenses I think. I brought my check book along, also a fountain pen. I'll give you a thousand dollars

now, for I know making an electric moving picture camera isn't going to be cheap work. Then, when you get

ready to start off in your airship, you'll need more money. I'll be Johnnyonthespot all right, and have it

"Hold on!" cried Tom, amused in spite of himself. "Don't sign that check, Mr. Period. I'm not going."

"No," went on Tom. "I can't spare the time. I'm sorry, but you'll have to get some one else."

"But they can't invent an electric moving picture camera, and, if they could, they wouldn't know enough to

take pictures with it. It's got to be you or no one, Tom Swift. Look here, I'll make it fifteen thousand dollars

"It was Mr. Nestor, who has a daughter named Mary, I believe. Mr. Nestor is one of the directors in our

company, and one day, when he told me about you sending a wireless message from Earthquake Island, I

knew you would be the very man for me. So now you see you'll be doing Mr. Nestor a favor, as well as me, if

Tom was somewhat surprised, yet he realized that Mr. Period was speaking the truth. Mr. Nestor was

"I really can't go," said our hero. "I'd like to, but I can't. I'd like to oblige Mr. Nestor, forwell, for more

reasons than one," and Tom blushed slightly. "But it is out of the question. I really can't go."

"But you must!" insisted the camera man. "I won't take 'no' for an answer. You've got to go, Tom Swift, do

Mr. Period was apparently very much excited. He strode over to Tom and smote his hands together to

emphasize what he said. Then he shook his finger at Tom, to impress the importance of the matter on our

"You've just got to go!" he cried. "You're the only one who can help me, Tom. Do go! I'll pay you well,

andoh, well, I know you don't need the money, exactly, butsay, you've got to go!"

In his earnestness Mr. Period laid his hand on Tom's arm. The next instant something happened.

With a few big strides Koku was beside the picture man. With great quickness he grasped Mr. Period by the

coat collar, lifted him off his feet with one hand, and walked over to a window with him, easily lifting him

With one fling the giant tossed the short, stout gentleman out into a snow bank, while Tom looked on, too

"There. You touch Tom Swift again, and I sit on you and keep you under snow!" cried the giant, while Mr.

Period kicked and squirmed about in the drift, as Tom made a leap forward to help him out.

"Great Scott!" yelled the picture man. "What in the world happened to me? Did I get kicked by that mule

Boomerang of Eradicate's, that I've heard so much about? Or was it an earthquake, such as I want to get a

He was still floundering about in the deep bank of snow that was just outside the window. Fortunately the

sash had been up, and Koku had tossed Mr. Period through the open window. Otherwise, had there been

glass, the wellmeaning, but unreasoning giant would probably have thrown his victim through that, and he

might have been badly cut. Tom had the window open for fresh air, as it was rather close in the shop.

"Why, Koku!" exclaimed the young inventor, as he leaned out of the window, and extended his hand to the

moving picture man to help him out of the drift. "What do von mean by that?" Have you gone crazy?"

"No, but no one shall lay hands on my master!" declared the giant half savagely. "I have vowed to always

protect you from danger, in return for what you did for me. I saw this man lay his hand on you. In another

moment he might have killed you, had not Koku been here. There is no danger when I am by," and he

stretched out his huge arms, and looked ferocious. "I have turned over that man, your enemy!" he added.

"Yes, you overturned me all right," admitted Mr. Period, as he got to his feet, and crawled in through the

window to the shop again. "I went head over heels. I'm glad it was clean snow, and not a mud bank, Tom.

"I guess he thought you were going to harm me, said Tom in a low voice, as the picture man came in the

shop. "Koku is very devoted to me, and sometimes he makes trouble," the youth went on. "But he means it all

for the best. I am very sorry for what happened," and Tom aided Mr. Period in brushing the snow off his

"For throwing him into the snow. It is not allowed to do such things in this country, even though it is in Giant

"I shall not," said the giant calmly, for Tom had taught him to speak fairly good English, though sometimes

"The man was about to kill you, and I stopped himI will stop him once more, though if he does not like the

"I am glad to hear you say that," exclaimed the picture man. "I have hopes that you will do what I want."

"He your friend?" asked Koku wonderingly. "Certainly; and you must beg his pardon for what you did,"

"Very well. I am glad you did not hurt yourself," said the giant, and with that "apology" he stalked out of the

"Ha! Ha!" laughed Mr. Period. "I guess he can't see any one but you, Tom. But never mind. I know he didn't

mean anything, and, as I'm none the worse I'll forgive him. My necktie isn't spotted; is it?"

"No, the snow didn't seem to do that any harm," replied the young inventor, as he looked at the brilliant piece

"I am very particular about my neckties," went on the picture man. "I always wear one color. My friends

Tom wondered how they could ever forget him, even though he wore no tie, for his figure and face were such

"I'm glad it's not soiled," went on "Spotty" as he liked to be called. "Now, Tom, you said you were my friend.

Prove it by accepting my offer. Build that wizard camera, and get me some moving pictures that will be a

He looked appealingly at Tom, and, remembering the rather rude and unexpected treatment to which Koku

had submitted the gentleman, Tom felt his mind changing. Still he was not yet ready to give in. He rather

liked the idea the more he thought of it, but he felt that he had other duties, and much to occupy him at home,

"Will you go?" asked Mr. Period, picking up his fountain pen and check book, that he had laid aside when he

The young inventor was silent a moment. He thought over the many adventures he had gone throughin the

caves of ice, in the city of gold, escaping from the giants, and the red pygmiesHe went over the details of

his trips through the air, of the dangers under the seas, of those he had escaped from on Earthquake Island.

And yet there was a lure to it all. A certain fascination that was hard to resist. Mr. Period must have seen what

"I know you're going. I can see it. Why, it will be just the very thing you need. You'll get more fame out of

"I'll tell you what I'll do !" he went on eagerly. "After you make the camera, and take a lot of films, showing

strange and wonderful scenes, I'll put at the end of each film, next to my picture, your name, and a statement

showing that you took the originals. How's that? Talk about being advertised! Why you can't beat it! Millions

"Well, then, think of the benefit you will be to science," went on Mr. Period quickly. "Think of the few

people who have seen wild animals as they are, of those who have ever seen an earth quake, or a volcano in

action. You can go to Japan, and get pictures of earthquakes. They have them on tap there. And as for

volcanoes, why the Andes mountains are full of 'em. Think of how many people will be thankful to you for

"And think of what might happen if I should take a tumble into a crack in the earth, or down a hot volcano, or

fall into a jungle when there was a fight on among the elephants," suggested Tom. "My airship might take a

"No. Nothing like that will happen to Tom Swift," was the confident answer of the picture man. "I've read of

your doings. You don't have accidents that you can't get the better of. But come, I know you're thinking of it,

and I'm sure you'll go. Let me make you out this check, sign a contract which I have all ready, and then get to

"Well, I admit that there is something attractive about it. I hoped I was going to stay home. for a long time.

"Then you'll go!" cried Mr. Period eagerly. "Here's the money," and he quickly filled out a check for Tom's

"Wait a minute! Hold on!" cried Tom. "Not so fast if you please. I haven't yet made up my mind."

"Well, I'll make up my mind, one way or the other," replied the young man. "I won't say I'll go, but"

"I'll tell you what I'll do!" interrupted Mr. Period. "I'm a busy man, and every second is worth money to me.

But I'll wait for you to make up your mind. I'll give you until tomorrow night. How's that? Fair, isn't it?"

"I'm not!" broke in the picture man. "I know you'll decide to go. Think of the fun and excitement you'll have.

Now I've taken up a lot of your time, and I'm going to leave you alone. I'll be back tomorrow evening for my

answer. But I know you're going to get those moving pictures for me. Is that giant of yours anywhere about?"

he asked, as he looked cautiously around before leaving the shop. "I don't want to fall into his hands again."

"I don't blame you," agreed Tom. "I never knew him to act that way before. But I'll go to the gate with you,

"Don't mention it !" broke in the picture man. "It was worth all I suffered, if you go, and I know you will.

Don't trouble yourself to come out. I can find my way, and if your giant comes after me, I'll call for help."

He hurried out before Tom could follow, and, hearing the gate click a little later, and no call for help coming,

"Well, what am I going to do about it?" mused Tom, as he resumed work on his silent motor. He had not been

This time it was his chum, Ned Newton, who entered, and, as Ned was well known to the giant, nothing

"I saw Koku standing at the gate a while ago, looking down the road at a short stout man, with a red tie. Your

"Oh, yes. I'll tell you about it," and Tom related the details of Mr. Period's visit.

"Why, I'd take it in a minute, if I knew how to make an electric camera. I suppose it has to be a very speedy

one, to take the kind of pictures he wants. Wait, hold on, I've just thought of a joke. It must be a swift

"I do," confessed Tom, with a laugh. "Well, Ned, I've been thinking it over, but I can't decide right away. I

"Then I'm coming over, and hear what it is. If you decide to go, maybe you'll take me along."

"Well, I guess there'll be room for him. But I haven't decided yet. Hand me that wrench over there; will you,"

and then Tom and Ned began talking about the new apparatus on which the young inventor was working.

True to his promise Mr. Period called the next evening. He found Tom, Ned and Mr. Swift in the library,

"Well, Tom, have you made up your mind?" asked the caller, when Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, had

"Yes," said Tom slowly, "I've thought it all over, and I have decided that I will"

At that moment there was a loud shouting outside the house, and the sound of some one running rapidly

through the garden that was just outside the low library windowa garden now buried deep under snow.

"That was Koku's voice," replied Tom, "and I guess he was chasing after some one."

"They'll need help if that giant gets hold of them," spoke Mr. Period solemnly, while the noise outside

"Here, Tom! Come back! Where are you going?" cried aged Mr. Swift, as his son started toward the window.

"I'm going to see what's up, and who it is that Koku is chasing," replied the young inventor.

As he spoke he opened the window, which went all the way down to the floor. He stepped out on a small

balcony, put his hand on the railing, and was about to leap over. Back of him was his father, Mr. Period and

"Come back! You may get hurt!" urged Mr. Swift. He had aged rapidly in the last few months, and had been

obliged to give up most of his inventive work. Naturally, he was very nervous about his son.

"Don't worry, dad; replied the youth. "I'm not in much danger when Koku is around."

"That's right, agreed the moving picture man. "I'd sooner have that giant look after me than half a dozen

The noise had now grown fainter, but the sound of the pursuit could still be heard. Koku was shouting in his

hearty tones, and there was the noise of breaking twigs as the chase wound in and out of the garden

Tom paused a moment, to let his eyes get somewhat used to the darkness. There was a crescent moon, that

gave a little light, and the snow on the ground made it possible to notice objects fairly well.

"No, but I'm going to have a closer look. Here goes!" and Tom leaped to the ground.

"Dat's de way! Catch him! I'se comm', I is! Ef we gits him we'll tie him up, an' let Boomerang walk on him!"

"Here comes Eradicate," announced Tom, with a look back toward his chum, and a moment later the aged

colored man, who had evidently started on the chase with Koku, but who had been left far behind, swung

"Didn't do nuffin yit, Massa Tom, 'case as how he didn't git no chance," replied the colored man, as he

hurried along as rapidly as he could beside the two youths. "Koku and I was too quick for him. Koku an' me

was asittin' in my shack, sort of talkin' togedder, when we hears a racket neah de chicken house. I'se mighty

partial t' de chickens, an' I didn't want nobody t' 'sturb 'em. Koku was jes' de same, an' when we hears dat

noise, up we jumps, an' gits t' chasm.' He runned dis way, an' us was arter him, but land lub yo', ole Eradicate

ain't so spry as he uster be an' Koku an' de chicken thief got ahead ob me. Leastwise he ain't no chicken thief

yit, 'case as how he didn't git in de coop, but he meant t' be one, jes' de same."

"Are you sure he was after the chickens?" asked Tom, with quick suspicion in his mind, for, several times of

late, unscrupulous persons had tried to enter his shop, to get knowledge of his valuable inventions before they

"Course he were arter de chickens," replied Eradicate. "But he didn't git none."

"Come on, Ned!" cried Tom, breaking into a run. "I want to catch whoever this was. Did you see him, Rad?"

"Well, you go back to the house and tell father and Mr. Period about it. Ned and I will go on with Koku. I

"Because I think he was after bigger game than chickens. My noiseless motor, for the new airship, is nearly

complete, and it may have been some one trying to get that. I received an offer from a concern the other day,

who wished to purchase it, and, when I refused to sell, they seemed rather put out."

The two lads raced on, while Eradicate tottered back to the house, where he found Mr. Swift and the picture

"I guess he got away," remarked Ned, after he and his chum had covered nearly the length of the big garden.

"I'm afraid so," agreed Tom. "I can't hear Koku any more. Still, I'm not going to give up."

"I would like to have hold of him," spoke the giant, as he stretched out his big arms.

"No, I couldn't see his face," and he gave the same description of the affair as had Eradicate.

"Why do you ask that?" inquired Ned, as the big fellow went on to resume his talk with Eradicate, and the

"Because, I thought it might be Andy Foger," was Tom's reply. "It would be just like him, but if it was a man,

"I know, but I heard Sam Snedecker, who used to be pretty thick with him, saying the other day that he

expected a visit from Andy. I hope he doesn't come back to Shopton, even for a day, for he always tries to

make trouble for me. Well, let's go in, and tell 'em all about our chase after a chicken thief."

"Yes," answered the young inventor, as he closed, and locked, the low library window, for there was a chilly

breeze blowing. "I think I will have to rig up the burglar alarm on my shop again. I don't want to take any

"Do you remember what we were talking about, when that interruption came?" asked Mr. Period, after a

pause. "You were saying, Tom, that you had made up your mind, and that was as far as you got. What is your

"Now don't say 'no'"; interrupted the picture man. "If you are going to say 'no' take five minutes more, or even

"I wasn't going to say 'no,'" replied Tom. "I have decided to accept your offer, and I'll get right at work on the

electrical camera, and see what I can do in the way of getting moving pictures for you."

"You will? Say, that's great! That's fine! I knew you would accept, but I was the least bit afraid you might

"Not another word. Just wait a minute," interrupted Mr. Period in his breezy fashion. "Take this."

"Now sign this contract, which merely says that you will do your best to get pictures for me, and that you

won't do it for any other concern, and everything will be all right. Sign there," he added, pointing to a dotted

line, and thrusting a fountain pen into Tom's hand. The lad read over the agreement, which was fair enough,

"Not before Spring, I'm afraid," replied Torn. "I have first to make the camera, and then my airship needs

overhauling if I am to go on such long trips as will be necessary in case I am to get views of wild beasts in the

"Well, make it as soon as you can," begged Mr. Period. "I can have the films early next Fall then, and they

will be in season for the Winter runs at the theatres. Now, I'm the busiest man in the world, and I believe I

have lost five hundred dollars by coming here tonight. Still, I don't regret it. I'm going back now, and I'll

expect to hear from you when you are ready to start. There's my address. Goodbye," and thrusting a card

"Sorry. I'd like to but can't. Got a big contract I must close in New York tomorrow morning. I've ordered a

special train to be at the Shopton station in half an hour, and I must catch that. Good night!" and Mr. Period

"Yes, and I've got to hustle if I invent that camera," added Tom. "It's got to be a specially fast one, and one

that can take pictures from a long distance. Electricity is the thing to use, I guess."

"Then you are really going off on this trip. Tom?" asked his father, rather wistfully.

"I'm afraid I am," replied his son. "I thought I could stay at home for a while, but it seems not."

"I was in hopes you could give me a little time to help me on my gyroscope invention," went on the aged

"Yes, and I don't like stopping work on my noiseless motor," spoke Tom. "But that will have to wait, too."

"Well, I'll have to do considerable traveling I suppose to get all the films he wants. But once I'm started I'll

"Of course you are!" insisted Tom, as if that settled it. "And I'm sure Mr. Damon will go also. I haven't seen

Tom started work on his Wizard Camera, as he called it, the next daythat is he began drawing the designs,

and planning how to construct it. Ned helped him, and Koku was on hand in case he was needed, but there

was little he could do, as yet. Tom made an inspection of his shop the morning after the chicken thief scare,

A week passed, and Tom had all the plans drawn for the camera. He had made several experiments with

different forms of electricity for operating the mechanism, and had decided on a small, but very powerful,

This storage battery, which would be inside the camera, would operate it automatically. That is, the camera

could be set up any place, in the jungle, or on the desert, it could be left alone, and would take pictures

without any one being near it. Tom planned to have it operate at a certain set time, and stop at a certain time,

and he could set the dials to make this time any moment of the day or night. For there was to be a powerful

light in connection with the camera, in order that night views might be taken. Besides being automatic the

When it was not necessary to have the camera operate by the storage battery, it could be connected to wires

and worked by an ordinary set of batteries, or by a dynamo. This was for use on the airship, where there was

a big electrical machine. I shall tell you more about the camera as the story proceeds.

One afternoon Tom was alone in the shop, for he had sent Koku on an errand, and Eradicate was off in a

distant part of the grounds, doing some whitewashing, which was his specialty. Ned had not come over, and

Mr. Swift, having gone to see some friends, and Mrs. Baggert being at the store, Tom, at this particular time,

He was conducting some delicate electrical experiments, and to keep the measuring instruments steady he

had closed all the windows and doors of his shop. The young inventor was working at a bench in one corner,

and near him, standing upright, was a heavy shaft of iron, part of his submarine, wrapped in burlap, and

"Now," said Tom to himself, as he mixed two kinds of acid in a jar, to produce a new sort of electrical

current, "I will see if this is any better than the first way in which I did it."

He was careful about pouring out the powerful stuff, but, in spite of this, he spilled a drop on his finger. It

The next instant there was a series of happenings. Tom's elbow came in contact with another jar of acid,

knocking it over, and spilling it into the retort where he had been mixing the first two liquids. There was a

hissing sound, as the acids combined, and a thick, white vapor arose, puffing into Tom's face, and making

He staggered back, brushed against the heavy iron shaft in the corner, and it fell sideways against him,

knocking him to the floor, and dropping across his thighs. The padding on it saved him from broken bones,

but the shaft was so heavy, that after it was on him, Tom could not move. He was held fast on the floor of his

And then Tom smelled a strange odoran odor of a choking gas that seemed to smother him.

"It's the acids!" he cried. "They're generating gas! And I'm held fast here! The place is closed up tight, and I

But there was no one at hand to aid Tom, and every moment the fumes of the gas became stronger.

Desperately the youth struggled to rid himself of the weight of the shaft, but he could not. And then he felt

"Bless my shoe buttons!" exclaimed a voice, as a man came toward Tom's shop, a little later. "Bless my very

necktie! This is odd. I go to the house, and find no one there. I come out here, and not a soul is about. Tom

Swift can't have gone off on another one of his wonderful trips, without sending me word. I know he wouldn't

It was Mr. Damon who spoke, as my old readers have already guessed. He peered into one of the shop

"That's strange," he went on. "I don't see Tom there, and yet it looks as if an experiment was going on. I

Mr. Damon heard some one coming up behind him, and turned to see Koku the giant, who was returning .

"Oh, Koku, it's you; is it?" the odd man asked. "Bless my cuff buttons! Where is Tom?"

"I don't see him. Still I had better look. There doesn't seem to be any one about."

Mr. Damon opened the shop door, and was met by such an outward rush of choking gas that he staggered

"Bless my" he began but he had to stop, to cough and gasp. "There must have been some sort of an

accident," he cried, as he got his lungs full of fresh air. "A bad accident! Tom could never work in that

"Accident! What is matter?" cried Koku stepping to the doorway. He, too choked and gasped, but his was

such a strong and rugged nature, and his lungs held such a supply of air, that it took more than mere gas to

knock him out. He peered in through the wreaths of the acid vapor, and saw the body of his master, lying on

In another instant Koku had rushed in, holding his breath, for, now that he was inside the place, the gas made

"Come back! Come back!" cried Mr. Damon. 'You'll be smothered! Wait until the gas escapes!"

With one heave of his powerful right arm, Koku lifted the heavy shaft from Tom's legs. Then, gathering the

lad up in his left arm, as if he were a baby, Koku staggered out into the fresh air, almost falling with his

He did not finish the sentence, but, as Koku laid Tom down on the overcoat of Mr. Damon, which the latter

quickly spread on the snow, the eccentric man put his hand over the heart of the young inventor.

"It beats!" he murmured. "He's alive, but very weak. We must get a doctor at once. I'll do what I can. There's

But Mr. Damon concluded that there was no time for blessing anything, and so he stopped short.

"Carry him up to the house, Koku," he said. "I know where there are some medicines, and I'll try to revive

"Telephone for the doctor!" cried Mr. Damon to the housekeeper, who kept her nerve, and did not get

excited. "I'll give Tom some ammonia, and other stimulants, and see if I can bring him around. Koku, get me

The telephone was soon carrying the message to the doctor, who promised to come at once. Koku, in spite of

his size, was quick, and soon brought the water, into which Mr. Damon put some strong medicine, that he

found in a closet. Tom's eyelids fluttered as the others forced some liquid between his lips.

"He's coming around!" cried the eccentric man. "I guess he'll be all right, Koku."

"Yes, Koku, if it hadn't been for you, though, I don't believe that he would be alive. That was powerful gas,

and a few seconds more in there might have meant the end of Tom. I didn't see him lying on the floor, until

They gave Tom more medicine, rubbed his arms and legs, and held ammonia under his nose. Slowly he

"I'mallrightnow," said Tom slowly. He, felt his strength coming gradually back, and he remembered

what had happened, though he did not yet know how he had been saved. The doctor came in at this moment,

with a small medical battery, which completed the restorative work begun by the others. Soon Tom could sit

"Who brought me out?" he asked, when he had briefly told how the accident occurred.

"Koku did," replied Mr. Damon. "I guess none of the rest of us could have lifted the iron shaft from your

"It's queer how that fell," said Tom, with a puzzled look on his face. "I didn't hit it hard enough to bring it

down. Beside, I had it tied to nails, driven into the wall, to prevent just such an accident as this. I must see

"Not for a couple of days," exclaimed the doctor grimly. "You've got to stay in bed a while yet. You had a

"Well, I'm glad I went to Giant Land," said the young inventor, with a wan smile. "Otherwise I'd never have

Koku," and he looked affectionately at the big man, who laughed happily. In nature Koku was much like a

Mr. Swift came home a little later, and Ned Newton called, both being very much surprised to hear of the

accident. As for Eradicate, the poor old colored man was much affected, and would have sat beside Tom's

Our hero recovered rapidly, once the fumes of the gas left his system, and, two days later, he was able to go

out to the shop again. At his request everything had been left just as it was after he had been brought out. Of

course the fumes of the gas were soon dissipated, when the door was opened, and the acids, after mingling

and giving off the vapor, had become neutralized, so that they were now harmless.

"Now I'm going to see what made that shaft fall," said Tom to Ned, as the two chums walked over to the

bench where the young inventor had been working. "The tap I gave it never ought to have brought it down."

Together they examined the thin, but strong, cords that had been passed around the shaft, having been

"The strands were partly cut through, so that only a little jar was enough to break the remaining ones," went

on Tom. "They've been cut with a knife, too, and not frayed by vibration against the nail, as might be the

case. Ned, someone has been in my shop, meddling, and he wanted this shaft to fall. This is a trick!"

"Great Scott, Tom! You don't suppose any one wanted that shaft to fall on you; do you?"

"No, I don't believe that. Probably some one wanted to damage the shaft, or he might have thought it would

topple over against the bench, and break some of my tools, instruments or machinery. I do delicate

experiments here, and it wouldn't take much of a blow to spoil them. That's why those cords were cut."

"No, I think it was the man Koku thought was a chicken thief, and whom we chased the other night. I've got

Tom was interrupted by the appearance of Koku, who came out of the shop with a letter the postman had just

"I don't know that writing very well, and yet it looks familiar," said Tom, as he tore open the missive. "Hello,

"This is from Mr. Period, the picture man," went on the young inventor. It's a warning."

"'Dear Tom. Be on your guard. I understand that a rival moving picture concern is after you. They want to

make you an offer, and get you away from me. But I trust you. Don't have anything to do with these other

fellows. And, at the same time, don't give them a hint as to our plans. Don't tell them anything about your

new camera. There is a lot of jealousy and rivalry in this business and they are all after me. They'll probably

come to see you, but be on your guard. They know that I have been negotiating with you. Remember the

"It certainly isn't very pleasant," replied Tom. "I wonder why those chaps can't let me alone? Why don't they

invent cameras of their own? Why are they always trying to get my secret inventions?"

"I suppose they can't do things for themselves," answered Ned. "And then, again, your machinery always

"Well, maybe that's it," admitted our hero, as he put away the letter. "I will be on the watch, just as I have

been before. I've got the burglar alarm wires adjusted on the shop now, and when these rival moving picture

For several days nothing happened, and Tom and Ned worked hard on the Wizard Camera. It was nearing

completion, and they were planning, soon, to give it a test, when, one afternoon, two strangers, in a powerful

automobile, came to the Swift homestead. They inquired for Tom, and, as he was out in the shop, with Ned

and Koku, and as he often received visitors out there, Mrs. Baggert sent out the two men, who left their car in

As usual, Tom had the inner door to his shop locked, and when Koku brought in a message that two strangers

"Which of you is Tom Swift?" asked the elder of the two men, as Tom and Ned entered the front office, for

"Well, we're men of business," went on the speaker, "and there is no use beating about the bush. I am Mr.

Wilson Turbot, and this is my partner, Mr. William Eckert. We are in the business of making moving picture

films, and I understand that you are associated with Mr. Period in this line. 'Spotty' we call him."

"Oh, that's all right," spoke Mr. Turbot, good naturedly. "Only 'Spotty' was bragging that you were making a

"This camera isn't on the market," replied Tom, on his guard as to how he answered.

"Well, as I remarked, we're men of business, and there's no use beating about the bush. We've heard of you,

Tom Swift, and we know you can do things. Usually, in this world, every man has his price, and we're willing

to pay big to get what we want. I don't know what offer Mr. Period made to you, but I'll say this: We'll give

you double what he offered, for the exclusive rights to your camera, whenever it's on the market, and we'll

"I'm sorry, but I can't consider the offer," replied Tom firmly. "I have given my word to Mr. Period. I have a

"Offer him three times what Period did," said Mr. Eckert, in a hoarse whisper that Tom heard.

"It would be useless!" exclaimed our hero. "I wouldn't go back on my word for a hundred times the price I am

to get. I am not in this business so much for the money, as I am for the pleasure of it."

The men were silent a moment. There were ugly looks on their faces. They looked sharply at Tom and Ned.

"You'll regret this, Tom Swift. We are the biggest firm of moving picture promoters in the world. We always

"I don't know about that!" exclaimed Mr. Turbot, as he made a hasty stride toward Tom, who stood in front of

the door leading to the shopthe shop where his camera, almost ready for use, was on a bench. "I guess if

The giant stepped into the front office. He had been standing near the door, inside the main shop. Mr. Turbot

who had stretched forth his hand, as though to seize Tom, and his companion, who had advanced toward

"Koku," went on Tom, in even tones, "just show these gentlemen to the front doorand lock it after them,"

"Yes, Mr. Tom," answered the giant, and then, with his big hand, and brawny fist, he gently turned the two

men toward the outer door. They were gasping in surprise as they looked at the giant.

"You'll be sorry for this, Tom Swift!" exclaimed Mr. Turbot. "You'll regret not having taken our offer. This

"You'll regret coming here again," snapped Tom, as he closed the door of his shop, leaving Koku to escort the

baffled plotters to their auto. Shortly afterward Tom and Ned heard the car puffing away.

"Yes, and they went away again!" exclaimed Ned with a laugh. "They had their trip for nothing. Say, did you

Tom wrote a full account of what had happened and sent it to Mr. Period. He received in reply a few words,

In the meanwhile, work went on rapidly on the Wizard Camera. Briefly described it was a small square box,

with a lens projecting from it. Inside, however, was complicated machinery, much too complicated for me to

describe. Tom Swift had put in his best work on this wonderful machine. As I have said, it could be worked

by a storage battery, by ordinary electric current from a dynamo, or by hand. On top was a new kind of

electric light. This was small and compact, but it threw out powerful beams. With the automatic arrangement

set, and the light turned on, the camera could be left at a certain place after dark, and whatever went on in

In the morning the film could be taken out, developed, and the pictures thrown on a screen in the usual way,

familiar to all who have been in a moving picture theatre. With the reproducing machines Tom had nothing to

do, as they were already perfected. His task had been to make the newstyle camera, and it was nearly

A number of rolls of films could be packed into the camera, and they could be taken out, or inserted, in

daylight. Of course after one film had been made, showing any particular scene any number of films could be

made from this "master" one. Just as is done with the ordinary moving picture camera. Tom had an

For some time after the visit of the rival moving picture men, Tom was on his guard. Both house and shop

were fitted with burglar alarms, but they did not ring. Eradicate and Koku were told to be on watch, but there

"Well," remarked Tom to Ned, one afternoon, when they had both worked hard, "I think it's about finished.

Of course it needs polishing, and there may be some adjusting to do, but my camera is now ready to take

"The night test. I'm going to place the camera out in the yard, facing my shop. Then you and I, and some of

the others, will go out, pass in front of it, do various stunts, and, in the morning we'll develop the films and

"No, indeed. I'm going to let it take what ever pictures happen to come along to be taken after we get through

making some special early ones. You see my camera will be a sort of watch dog, only of course it won't catch

"Oh, I see," exclaimed Ned, and then he helped Tom fix the machine for the test.

"Well, is she working, Tom?" asked our hero's chum, a little later, when they had set the camera up on a box

in the garden. It pointed toward the main shop door, and from the machine came a clicking sound. The

"Yes, it's all ready," replied Tom. "Now just act as if it wasn't there. You walk toward the shop. Do anything

you please. Pretend you are coming in to see me on business. Act as if it was daytime. I'll stand here and

receive you. Later, I'll get dad out here, Koku and Eradicate. I wish Mr. Period was here to see the test, but

Ned advanced toward the shop. He tried to act as though the camera was not taking pictures of him, at the

rate of several a second, but he forgot himself, and turned to look at the staring lens. Then Tom, with a laugh,

advanced to meet him, shaking hands with him. Then the lads indulged in a little skylarking. They threw

snowballs at each other, taking care, however to keep within range of the lens. Of course when Tom worked

the camera himself, he could point it wherever he wanted to, but it was now automatic.

Then the lads went to the shop, and came out again. They did several other things. Later Koku, and Eradicate

did some "stunts," as Tom called them. Mr. Swift, too, was snapped, but Mrs. Baggert refused to come out.

"Well, I guess that will do for now," said Tom, as he stopped the mechanism. "I've just thought of

something," he added. "If I leave the light burning, it will scare away, before they got in front of the lens, any

"Easily. I'll rig up some flash lights, just ordinary photographing flashlights, you know. I'll time them to go

off one after the other, and connect them with an electric wire to the door of my shop."

"That some rascals may try to enter my shop at night. Not this particular night, but any night. If they come

"An' can't yo'all take a picture ob de chicken coop?" asked Eradicate. "Dat feller may come back t' rob mah

"With the lens pointing toward the shop," spoke Tom, "it will also take snap shots of any one who tries to

enter the coop. So, if the chicken thief does come, Rad, we'll have a picture of him."

Tom and Ned soon had the flashlights in place, and then they went to bed, listening, at times, for the puff that

would indicate that the camera was working. But the night passed without incident, rather to Tom's

disappointment. However, in the morning, he developed the film of the first pictures taken in the evening.

Soon they were dry enough to be used in the moving picture machine, which Tom had bought, and set up in a

"There we are!" he cried, as the first images were thrown on the white screen. "As natural as life, Ned! My

"That's so. Look! There's where I hit you with a snowball!" cried his chum, as the skylarking scene was

"Mah goodness!" cried Eradicate, when he saw himself walking about on the screen, as large as life. "Dat

"I wish we had some of the other pictures to show," spoke Tom. "I mean some unexpected midnight visitors."

For several nights in succession the camera was set to "snap" any one who might try to enter the shop. The

flashlights were also in place. Tom and Ned, the latter staying at his chum's house that week, were beginning

to think they would have their trouble for their pains. But one night something happened.

It was very dark, but the snow on the ground made a sort of glow that relieved the blackness. The camera had

It must have been about midnight when they were both awakened by hearing the burglar alarm go off. At the

"Yes, they're trying to get into the shed," added Tom, as a glance at the burglaralarm indicator on the wall of

They lost little time getting into their clothes, for they had laid them out in readiness for putting on quickly.

Down the stairs they raced, but ere they reached the garden they heard footsteps running along the wall

"Yais, sah, I'se comm'!" answered the colored man, and the voice of the giant was also heard. The flashlights

had ceased popping before this, and when the two lads and their helpers had reached the shop, there was no

"The camera's there all right!" cried Tom in relief as he picked it up from the box. "Now to see what it

caught. Did you see anything of the fellows, Koku, or Eradicate?" Both said they had not, but Eradicate, after

"Somebody's been tryin' t' git in heah, Massa Tom. I kin see where de do's been scratched."

"Well, maybe we'll have the picture for you to look at in the morning," said Tom.

The films were developed in the usual way in the morning, but the pictures were so small that Tom could not

make out the features or forms of the men. And it was plain that at least three men had been around the coop

By the use of alcohol and an electric fan Tom soon had the films dry enough to use. Then the moving picture

machine was set up in a dark room, and all gathered to see what would be thrown on the screen, greatly

First came several brilliant flashes of light, and then, as the entrance to the shop loomed into view, a dark

figure seemed to walk across the canvas. But it did not stop at the shop door. Instead it went to the chicken

coop, and, as the man reached that door, he began working to get it open. Of course it had all taken place in a

few seconds, for, as soon as the flashlights went off, the intruders had run away. But they had been there long

The man at the chicken coop turned around as the lights flashed, and he was looking squarely at the camera.

Of course this made his face very plain to the audience, as Tom turned the crank of the reproducing machine.

"Fo' de land sakes!" he cried. "De raskil! Ef dat ain't mah own second cousin, what libs down by de ribber!

An' to t'ink dat Samuel 'Rastus Washington Jackson Johnson, mah own second cousin, should try t' rob mah

"Suah? Sartin I'se suah, Massa Tom," was the answer as the startled colored man on the screen stared at the

"Well, I guess he's the only one we caught last night," said Tom, as the disappointed chicken thief ran away,

and so out of focus But the next instant there came another series of flashlight explosions on the screen, and

there, almost as plainly as if our friends were looking at them, they saw two men stealthily approaching the

shop. They, too, as the chicken thief had done, tried the door, and then, they also, startled by the flashes,

"Great Scott !" exclaimed Tom. "Those are the two rivals of Mr. Period! They are Mr. Turbot and Mr.

There was no doubt of it, and, as the images faded from the screen, caused by the men running away, Tom

and Ned realized that their rivals had tried to put their threat into executionthe threat of making Tom wish

"I guess they came to take my camera,but, instead the camera took them," said the young inventor grimly.

"Well, Tom, how is it going?" asked a voice at the door of the shop where the young inventor was working.

He looked up quickly to behold Mr. Nestor, father of Mary, in which young lady, as I have said, Tom was

"Pretty good, Mr. Nestor. Come in. I guess Koku knew you all right. I told him to let in any of my friends,

"So I understand. They nearly got in the other night, but I hear that your camera caught them."

"Yes, that proved that the machine is a success, even if we didn't succeed in arresting the men."

"Yes, I sent copies of the film, showing Turbot and Eckert trying to break into my shop, to Mr. Period, and he

had enlarged photographs made, and went to the police. They said it was rather flimsy evidence on which to

arrest anybody, and so they didn't act. However, we sent copies of the pictures to Turbot and Eckert

themselves, so they know that we know they were here, and I guess they'll steer clear of me after this."

"I guess so, Tom," agreed Mr. Nestor with a laugh. "But what about the chicken thief?"

"Oh, Eradicate attended to his second cousin. He went to see him, showed him a print from the film, and gave

him to understand that he'd be blown up with dynamite, or kicked by Boomerang, if he ever came around

here again, and so Samuel 'Rastus Washington Jackson Johnson will be careful about visiting strange chicken

"Very well. I am making a few changes in it, and I expect to get my biggest airship in readiness for the trip in

about a week, and then I'll try taking pictures from her. But I understand that you are interested in Mr.

"Yes, I own some stock in the company, and, Tom, that's what I came over to see you about. I need a

vacation. Mary and her mother are going away this Spring for a long visit, and I was wondering if you

couldn't take me with you on the trips you will make to get moving pictures for our concern."

"And there is another thing, Tom," went on Mr. Nestor, soberly. "I've got a good deal of my fortune tied up in

this moving picture affair. I want to see you win outI don't want our rivals to get ahead of us."

"You see, Tom, it's this way. There is a bitter fight on between our concern and that controlled by our rivals.

Each is trying to get the business of a large chain of moving picture theatres throughout the United States.

These theatre men are watching us both, and the contracts for next season will go to the concern showing the

best line of films. If our rivals get ahead of uswell, it will just about ruin our company,and about ruin

"Not exactly. You see when he came, that time I was overcome by the fumes from the acids, everything was

so upset that I didn't get a chance to tell him. He's been away on business ever since, but returned yesterday. I

certainly hope that he goes with us. Ned Newton is coming, and with you, and Koku and myself, it will be a

"I think I will. I'm a little worried about what these rival moving picture men might do, and if I get into

trouble with them, my giant helper would come in very useful, to pick one up and throw him over a tree top,

"Indeed, yes," agreed Mr. Nestor, with a laugh. "But I hope nothing like that happens."

"Nothing like that happens?" suddenly asked a voice. "Bless my bookcase! but there always seems to be

"Nothing much, Mr. Damon," replied our hero, as he recognized his odd friend. "We were just talking about

"Tom, did you ever know me to refuse an invitation from you? I guess not! Of course I'm going. But, for

mercy sakes, don't tell my wife! She mustn't know about it until the last minute, and then she'll be so

surprised, when I tell her, that she won't think of objecting. Don't let her know."

Tom laughed, and promised, and then the three began talking of the prospective trip. After a bit Ned Newton

Tom showed the two men how his new camera worked. He had made several improvements on it since the

first pictures were taken, and now it was almost perfect. Mr. Period had been out to see it work, and said it

"You can get films with that machine," he said, "that will be better than any pictures ever thrown on a screen.

My fortune will be made, Tom, and yours too, if you can only get pictures that are out of the ordinary. There

"Hold on! I know what you are going to say," interrupted Mr. Period. "You are going to say that you've gone

through some strenuous times already. I know you have, but you're going to have more soon. I think I'll send

"To India!" exclaimed Tom, for Mr. Period had spoken of that as if it was but a journey downtown.

"Yes, India. I want a picture of an elephant drive, and if you can get pictures of the big beasts in a stampede,

so much the better. Then, too, the Durbar is on now, and that will make a good film. How soon can you start

"Well, I've got to overhaul the airship," said Tom. "That will take about three weeks. The camera is

"Good. We'll have fine weather by that time. Are you going all the way by your airship?"

"No, I think it will be best to take that apart, ship it by steamer, and go that way ourselves. I can put the

airship together in India, and then use it to get to any other part of Europe, Asia or Africa you happen to want

In the days that followed, Tom and Ned were kept busy. There was considerable to do on the airship, in the

way of overhauling it. This craft was Tom's largest, and was almost like the one in which he had gone to the

The craft was a sort of combined dirigible balloon, and aeroplane, and could be used as either. There was a

machine on board for generating gas, to use in the balloon part of it, and the ship, which was named the Flyer,

"Bless my shoe laces!" cried Mr. Damon one day as he looked at Koku. "If we take him along in the airship,

"Oh, yes. The airship is plenty big enough. Besides, we are not going to take along a very large party, and the

camera is not heavy. Oh, we'll be all right. I suppose you'll be on hand to morrow, Mr. Damon?"

"We're going to take the picture machine up in the airship, and get some photos from the sky. I expect to

make some films from high in the air, as well as some in the regular way, on the ground, and I want a little

"All right. I will. But don't let my wife know I'm going up in an airship again. She's read of so many

"Oh, I won't tell," promised Tom with a laugh, and he worked away harder than ever, for there were many

little details to perfect. The weather was now getting warm, as there was an early spring, and it was pleasant

The moving picture camera was gotten in readiness. Extra rolls of films were on hand, and the big airship, in

which they were to go up, for their first test of taking pictures from high in the air, had been wheeled out of

"Are you going up very far?" asked Mr. Nestor of Tom, and the young inventor thought that Mary's father

was a trifle nervous. He had not made many flights, and then only a little way above the ground, with Tom.

"Not very high," replied our hero. "You see I want to get pictures that will be large, and if I'm too far away I

"Glad to hear it, replied Mr. Nestor, with a note of relief in his voice. "Though I suppose to fall a thousand

feet isn't much different from falling a hundred when you consider the results."

"Bless my feather bed!" cried Mr. Damon. "Please don't talk of falling, when we're going up in an airship. It

Mr. Period sent his regrets, that he could not be present at the trial, stating in his letter that he was the busiest

man in the world, and that his time was worth about a dollar a minute just at present. He, however, wished

Tom all success. Tom's first effort was to sail along, with the lens of the camera pointed straight toward the

earth. He would thus get, if successful, a picture that, when thrown on the screen, would give the spectators

the idea that they were looking down from a moving balloon. For that reason Tom was not going to fly very

"All aboard!" cried the young inventor, when he had seen to it that his airship was in readiness for a flight.

The camera had been put aboard, and the lens pointed toward earth through a hole in the main cabin floor. All

who were expected to make the trip with Tom were on hand, Koku taking the place of Eradicate this time, as

"All ready?" asked Ned, who stood in the steering tower, with his hand on the starting lever, while Tom was

"All ready," answered the young inventor, and, an instant later, they shot upward, as the big propellers

Tom at once started the camera to taking pictures rapidly, as he wanted the future audience to get a perfect

idea of how it looked to go up in a balloon, leaving the earth behind. Then as the Flyer moved swiftly over

"Say! This is great!" cried Mr. Nestor, to whom airriding was much of a novelty. "Are you getting good

"I can't tell until we develop them. But the machine seems to be working all right. I'm going to sail back now,

They had sailed around the town of Shopton, to the neighboring villages, over woods and fields. Now they

"Bless my heart!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Damon, who was looking toward the earth, as they neared Tom's

"What is it?" asked our hero, glancing up from the picture machine, the registering dial of which he was

"Look there! At your shop, Tom! There seems to be a lot of smoke coming from it!"

They were almost over Tom's shop now, and, as Mr. Damon had said, there was considerable smoke rolling

Tom looked to where the camera pointed, he was right over his shop now, and could see a dense vapor

That isn't Eradicate!" cried the young inventor. "My shop is on fire! I've got to make a quick drop, and save

it! There are a lot of valuable models, and machines in there! Send us down, Ned, as fast as she'll go!"

"Bless my hose reel!" cried Mr. Damon, as the airship took a quick lurch toward the earth. "Things are

"Look!" suddenly cried Ned, before Tom had a chance to answer. "There's a man running away from the

All saw him, and, as the airship rushed downward it could be seen that he was a fellow dressed in ragged

"I guess that fire didn't happen," said Tom significantly. "It was deliberately set. Oh, if we can only get there

"I like to catch that fellow!" exclaimed Koku, shaking his big fist at the retreating tramp. "I fix him!"

On rushed the airship, and the man who had probably started the fire, glanced up at it. Tom suddenly turned

the lens of his Wizard Camera toward him. The mechanism inside, which had been stopped, started clicking

"What are you doing?" cried Ned, as he guided the airship toward the shop, whence clouds of smoke were

But he was not able to get many views of the fellow, for the latter must have suspected what was going on.

He quickly made a dive for the bushes, and was soon lost to sight. Tom shut off his camera.

"Bless my life preserver!" cried Mr. Damon. "There comes your father, Tom, and Mrs. Baggert! They've got

"Why don't they think to use the hose?" cried the young inventor, for he had his shop equipped With many

hose lines, and an electrically driven pump. The hose! The hose, dad!" shouted Tom, but it is doubtful if his

father or Mrs. Baggert heard him, for the engine of the airship was making much noise. However, the two

"There's Eradicate!" yelled Ned. "He's got the hose all right!" The colored man was beginning to unreel a

"That's what it needs!" exclaimed Tom. "Now there's some chance to save the shop."

"We'll be there ourselves to take a hand in a few seconds!" cried Mr. Damon, forgetting to bless anything.

"The scoundrel who started this fire, and those back of him, ought to be imprisoned for life!" declared Mr.

A moment later Ned had landed the airship within a short distance of the shop. In an instant the occupants of

the craft had leaped out, and Tom, after a hasty glance to see that his valuable camera was safe, dashed

"Never mind the pails, dad! Use the hose! there's a nozzle at the back door. Go around there, and play the

Eradicate, with his line of hose, had disappeared into the shop through the front door, and the others pressed

"Can't see no blaze at all, Mass a Tom," replied the colored man. "Dere's a heap of suffin in de middle ob de

They all saw it a moment later, a smoldering heap of rags and paper on the concrete floor of the shop.

Eradicate turned his hose on it, there was a hissing sound, a cloud of steam arose, and the fire was practically

"Jove! that was a lucky escape!" exclaimed Tom, as he looked around when the vapor had partly cleared

away. "No damage done at all, as far as I can see. I wonder what the game was? Did you see anything of a

"No, Tom. I have been busy in the house. So has Mrs. Baggert. Suddenly she called my attention to the

"I seen it, too," added Eradicate. "I was doin' some whitewashin', an' I run up as soon as I could."

"We saw the tramp all right, but he got away," said Tom, and he told how he had taken pictures of him. "I

"Me look," spoke Koku significantly, as he hurried off in the direction taken by the tramp. He came back

"What do you think of it, Tom?" asked Ned, when the excitement had calmed down, and the pile of burned

rags had been removed. It was found that oil and chemicals had been put on them to cause a dense smoke.

"I think it was the work of those fellows who are after my camera," replied the young inventor. "They are

evidently watching me, and when they saw us all go off in the airship they thought probably that the coast

"I don't know, but probably to create a lot of smoke, and excitement, so that they could search, and not be

detected. Maybe the fellow after he found that the camera was gone, wanted to draw those in the house out to

the shop, so he could have a clear field to search in my room for any drawings that would give him a dew as

to how my machine works. They certainly did not want to burn the shop, for that pile of rags could have

smoldered all day on the concrete floor, without doing any harm. Robbery was the motive, I think."

"The police ought to be notified," declared Mr. Nestor. "Develop those pictures, Tom, and I'll take the matter

But this proved impossible. Tom had secured several good films, not only in the first views he took, giving

the spectators the impression that they were going up in an airship, but also those showing the shop on fire,

The police made a search for the incendiary, but of course did not find him. Mr. Period came to Shopton, and

declared it was his belief that his rivals, Turbot and Eckert, had had a hand in the matter. But it was only a

suspicion, though Tom himself believed the same thing. Still nothing could be accomplished.

"The thing to do, now that the camera works all right, is for you to hit the trail for India at once," suggested

the picture man. "They won't follow you there. Get me some pictures of the Durbar, of elephants being

"Wait, I'm not through," interrupted the excitable man. "Then go get some volcanoes, earthquakesanything

that you think would be interesting. I'll keep in touch with you, and cable occasionally. Get all the films you

It was found that a few changes were needed on the camera. And some adjustments to the airship. Another

trial flight was made, and some excellent pictures taken. Then Tom and his friends prepared to take the

airship apart. and pack it for shipment to Calcutta. It was to go on the same steamer as themselves, and of

course the Wizard Camera would accompany Tom. He took along many rolls of films, enough, he thought,

for many views. He was also to send back to Mr. Period from time to time, the exposed rolls of film, so they

could be developed, and printed in the United States, as Tom would not have very good facilities for this on

the airship, and to reproduce them there was almost out of the question. Still he did fit up a small dark room

There was much to be done, but hard work accomplished it, and finally the party was ready to start for India.

Tom said goodbye to Mary Nestor, of course, and her father accompanied our hero from the Nestor house to

Eradicate bade his master a tearful goodbye, and there was moisture in the eyes of Mr. Swift, as he shook

"Take care of yourself, Tom," he said. "Don't run too many risks. This moving picture taking isn't as easy as

it sounds. It's more than just pointing your camera at things. Write if you get a chance, or send me a

Tom promised, and then bade farewell to Mrs. Baggert. All were assembled, Koku, Mr. Damon, who blessed

everything he saw, and some things he did not, Ned, Mr. Nestor and Tom. The five were to go by train to

Their journey to the metropolis was uneventful. Mr. Period met them at the steamship dock, after Tom had

"I wish I were going along!" exclaimed the picture man. "It's going to be a great trip. But I can't spare the

time. I'm the busiest man in the world. I lose about a thousand dollars just coming down to see you off, but

it's a good investment. I don't mind it. Now, Tom, good luck, and don't forget, I want exciting views."

"Wait, I know what you're going to say!" interrupted Mr. Period. "You'll do it, of course. Well, I must be

going. I will Great Scott!" and Mr. Period interrupted himself. "He has the nerve to come here!"

"Wilson Turbot, the rascal! He's trying to balk me at the last minute, I believe. I'm going to see what he

means!" and with this, the excited Mr. Period rushed down the gangplank, toward the man at whom he had

A moment later the steamer's whistle blew, the last belated passenger rushed up the gangplank, it was drawn

in, and the vessel began to move away from the dock. Tom and his friends were on their way to India, and the

last glimpse they had of Mr. Period was as he was chasing along the pier, after Mr. Turbot.

"Well, what do you know about that, Tom?" asked Ned, as they stood on deck watching the chase. "Isn't he

"He certainly is. I'd like to see what happens when he catches that Turbot chap."

"Bless my pocket handkerchief!" cried Mr. Damon. "I don't believe he will. Mr. Period's legs aren't long

"Those scoundrels were after us, up to the last minute," spoke Mr. Nestor, as the ship moved farther out from

the dock. Tom and his friends could no longer see the excitable picture man after his rival, but there was a

"Well, we're free of him now," spoke the young inventor, with a breath of relief. "That is, unless they have set

some one else on our trail," and he looked carefully at the passengers near him, to detect, if possible, any who

might look like spies in the pay of the rival moving picture concern, or any suspicious characters who might

try to steal the valuable camera, that was now safely locked in Tom's cabin. Our hero, however, saw no one to

Friends and relatives were waving farewells to one another, and the band was playing, as the big vessel drew

Little of interest marked the first week of the voyage. All save Koku had done much traveling before, and it

was no novelty to them. The giant, however, was amused and delighted with everything, even the most

commonplace things he saw. He was a source of wonder to all the other passengers, and, in a way, he

One day several of the sailors were on deck, shifting one of the heavy anchors. They went about it in their

usual way, all taking hold, and "heaving" together with a "chanty," or song, to enliven their work. But they

"Here, shiver my timbers!" he cried. "Lively now! Lay about you, and get that over to the side!"

The anchor did not move, for it had either caught on some projection, or the men were not using their

Suddenly Koku, who was in the crowd of passengers watching the work, pushed his way to where the anchor

lay. With a powerful, but not rough action, he shoved the sailors aside. Then, stooping over, he took a firm

grip of the big piece of iron, planted his feet well apart on the deck, and lifted the immense mass in his arms.

"Where you want him?" Koku calmly asked of the mate, as he stood holding the anchor.

"Blast my marlin spikes!" cried the mate. "I never see the like of this afore! Put her over there, shipmate. If I

had you on a voyage or two you'd be running the ship, instead of letting the screw push her along. Put her

Koku calmly walked along the deck, laid the anchor down as if it was an ordinary weight, and passed over to

where Tom stood looking on in amused silence. There were murmurs of surprise from the passengers at the

"Say, I'd give a good bit to have a bodyguard like that," exclaimed a wellknown millionaire passenger, who,

it was reported, was in constant fear of attacks, though they had never taken place. "I wonder if I could get

He spoke to Tom about it, but our hero would not listen to a proposition to part with Koku. Besides, it is

doubtful if the simple giant would leave the lad who had brought him away from his South American home.

But, if Koku was wonderfully strong, and, seemingly afraid of nothing, there were certain things he feared.

One afternoon, for the amusement of the passengers, a net was put overboard, sunk to a considerable depth,

and hauled up with a number of fishes in it. Some of the finny specimens were good for eating, and others

Koku was in the throng that gathered on deck to look at the haul. Suddenly a small fish, but very hideous to

look at, leaped from the net and flopped toward the giant. With a scream of fear Koku jumped to one side,

and ran down to his stateroom. He could not be induced to come on deck until Tom assured him that the

fishes had been disposed of. Thus Koku was a mixture of giant and baby. But he was a general favorite on the

Meanwhile Tom and his friends had been on the lookout for any one who might be trailing them. But they

saw no suspicious characters among the passengers, and, gradually, they began to feel that they had left their

The weather was pleasant, and the voyage very enjoyable. Tom and the others had little to do, and they were

getting rather impatient for the time to come when they could put the airship together, and sail off over the

"Have you any films in the camera now?" asked Ned of his chum on day, as they sat on deck together.

"Yes, it's all ready for instant use. Even the storage battery is charged. Why?"

"Oh, I was just wondering. I was thinking we might somehow see something we could take pictures of."

"Not much out here," said Tom, as he looked across the watery expanse. As he did so, he saw a haze of

smoke dead ahead. "We'll pass a steamer soon," he went on, "but that wouldn't make a good picture. It's too

As the two lads watched, the smoke became blacker, and the cloud it formed grew much larger.

"They're burning a lot of coal on that ship," remarked Ned. "Must be trying for a speed record."

A little later a sailor stationed himself in the crow's nest, and focused a telescope on the smoke. An officer, on

"That's rather odd," remarked Ned. "I never knew them to take so much interest in a passing steamer before;

"Aye, aye, sir," answered the sailor with the glass. "She's a small steamer, sir, and she's on fire!"

"That's what I feared. Come down. I'll tell the captain. We must crowd on all steam, and go to the rescue."

"Did you hear that?" cried Ned to Tom, as the officer hurried to the bridge, where the captain awaited him.

"I'm going to!" interrupted the young inventor, as he started for his cabin on the run. "I'm going to get some

A moment later the Belchar, the vessel on which our friends had embarked, increased her speed, while

As the Belchar approached the burning steamer, which had evidently seen her, and was making all speed

toward her, the cloud of smoke became more dense, and a dull flame could be seen reflected in the water.

"Bless my insurance policy!" cried Mr. Damon. "What a strange happening! Where's Tom Swift?"

"Gone for his camera," answered his chum. "He's going to get some pictures of the rescue."

"All hands man the life boats!" cried an officer, and several sailors sprang to the davits, ready to lower the

"Here you go, Ned!" he called. "Give me a hand. I'm going to start the film now."

These and other commands marked the beginning of the rescue, as the sailors manned the davitfalls, and put

the boats into the water. The burning steamer had now come to a stop, not far away from the Belchar, which

was also layto. There was scarcely any sea running, and no wind, so that the work of rescuing was not

difficult from an ordinary standpoint. But there was grave danger, because the fire on the doomed vessel was

"That's oil burning," remarked an officer, and it seemed so, from the dense clouds of smoke that rolled

"Is she working, Tom?" asked Ned, as he helped his chum to hold the wonderful camera steady on the rail, so

They could look across the gap of water, and see the terrified passengers and crew crowding to the rail,

holding out their hands appealingly to the brave sailors who were lustily and rapidly, pulling toward them in

At times a swirl of smoke would hide those on the doomed vessel from the sight of the passengers on the

Belchar, and on such occasions the frightened screams of women could be heard. Once, as the smoke cleared

away, a woman, with a child in her arms, giving a backward glance toward the flames that were now

Many hands caught her, however, and all this was registered on the film of Tom's camera, which was

working automatically. As the two vessels drifted along, Tom and Ned shifted the lens so as to keep the

"There's the first rescue!" cried Ned, as the woman who had attempted to leap overboard, was, with her child,

"I certainly did. This will make a good picture. I think I'll send it back to Mr. Period as soon as we reach

"Maybe you could develop it on board here, and show it. I understand there's a dark room, and the captain

said one of his officers, who used to be in the moving picture business, had a reproducing machine."

"Then that's what I'll do!" cried Tom. "I'll have our captain charge all the Belchar passengers admission, and

we'll get up a fund for the fire sufferers. They'll probably lose all their baggage."

The rescue was now in full swing, and, in a short time all the passengers and crew had been transferred to the

life boats. Tom got a good picture of the captain of the burning steamer being the last to leave his vessel.

Then the approaching life boats, with their loads of sailors, and rescued ones, were caught on the films.

"Are you all off?" cried the captain of the Belchar to the unfortunate skipper of the doomed ship.

"All off, yes, thank you. It is a mercy you were at hand. I have a cargo of oil. You had better stand off, for

"I must get a picture of that!" declared Tom as the Belchar got under way again. "That will cap the climax,

A few moments later there was a tremendous explosion on the tramp oiler. A column of wreckage and black

smoke shot skyward, and Tom secured a fine view of it. Then the wreck disappeared beneath the waves,

while the rescuing steamer sailed on, with those who had been saved. They had brought off only the things

they wore, for the fire had occurred suddenly, and spread rapidly. Kind persons aboard the Belchar looked

after the unfortunates. Luckily there was not a large passenger list on the tramp. And the crew was

comparatively small, so it was not hard work to make room for them, or take care of them, aboard the

Tom developed his pictures, and produced then in one of the large saloons, on a machine he borrowed from

the man of whom Ned had spoken. A dollar admission was charged, and the crowd was so large that Tom had

to give two performances. The films, showing the burning steamer and the rescue, were excellent, and

enough money was realized to aid, most substantially, the unfortunate passengers and crew.

A few days later a New York bound steamer was spoken, and on it Tom sent the roll of developed films to

I will not give all the details of the rest of the voyage. Sufficient to say that no accidents marred it, nor did

Tom discover any suspicious characters aboard. In due time our friends arrived at Calcutta, and were met by

an agent of Mr. Period, for he had men in all quarters of the world, making films for him.

This agent took Tom and his party to a hotel, and arranged to have the airship parts sent to a large open shed,

not far away, where it could be put together. The wonderful scenes in the Indian city interested Tom and his

companions for a time, but they had observed so many strange sights from time to time that they did not

"What are you going to do first?" asked Ned, when they had recovered from the fatigue of the ocean voyage

"Put the airship together," replied our hero, "and then, after getting some Durbar pictures, we'll head for the

jungle. I want to get some elephant pictures, showing the big beasts being captured."

Mr. Period's agent was a great help to them in this. He secured native helpers, who aided Tom in assembling

the airship, and in a week or two it was ready for a flight. The wonderful camera, too, was looked over, and

"It can take the kind of pictures I never could," he said. "I get Calcutta street scenes for Mr. Period, and

Tom invited him to come along in the airship, but the agent, who only looked after Mr. Period's interests as a

The airship was ready for a flight, stores and provisions had been put on board, there was enough gasoline for

the motor, and gas for the balloon bag, to carry the Flyer thousands of miles. The moving picture camera had

been tested after the sea voyage, and had been found to work perfectly. Many rolls of films were taken along.

Tom got some fine views of the Durbar of India, and his airship created a great sensation.

"Now I guess we're all ready for the elephants," said Tom one day as he came back from an inspection of the

airship as it rested in the big shed. "We'll start tomorrow morning, and head for the jungle."

Amid the cries from a throng of wondering and awed natives, and with the farewells of Mr. Period's agent

ringing in their ears, Tom and his party made an early start. The Flyer rose like a bird, and shot across the

city, while on the house tops many people watches the strange sight. Tom did not start his camera working, as

Mr. Period's agent said he had made many pictures of the Indian city, and even one taken from an airship,

Tom had made inquiries, and learned that by a day's travel in his airship (though it would have been much

longer ordinarily) he could reach a jungle where elephants might be found. Of course there was nothing

certain about it, as the big animals roamed all over, being in one district one day, and on the next, many miles

Gradually the city was left behind, and some time later the airship was sailing along over the jungle. After the

start, when Ned and Tom, with Mr. Damon helping occasionally, had gotten the machinery into proper

adjustment, the Flyer almost ran herself. Then Tom took his station forward, with his camera in readiness,

and a powerful spyglass at hand, so that he might see the elephants from a distance.

He had been told that, somewhere in the district for which he was headed, an elephant drive was

contemplated. He hoped to be on hand to get pictures of it, and so sent his airship ahead at top speed.

On and on they rode, being as much at ease in the air as they would have been if traveling in a parlor car.

They did not fly high, as it was necessary to be fairly close to the earth to get good pictures.

"Well, I guess we won't have any luck today," remarked Ned, as night approached, and they had had no

sight of the elephants. They had gone over mile after mile of jungle, but had seen few wild beasts in sufficient

It was about ten o'clock the next day, when Ned, who had relieved Tom on watch, uttered a cry:

"Lots!" cried Ned. "Look!" He pointed down below. Tom saw, crashing through the jungle, a big herd of

elephants. Behind them, almost surrounding them, in fact, was a crowd of natives in charge of white hunters,

"There's a chance for a grand picture!" exclaimed Tom, as he got the camera ready. "Take charge of the ship,

Quickly he focused the lens on the strange scene below him. There was a riot of trumpeting from the

elephants. The beaters and hunters shouted and yelled. Then they saw the airship and waved their hands to

Tom and his friends, but whether to welcome them, or warn them away, could not be told.

The elephants were slowly advancing toward the stockade. Tom was taking picture after picture of them,

when suddenly as the airship came lower, in response to a signal to Ned from the young inventor, one of the

huge pachyderms looked up, and saw the strange sight. He might have taken it for an immense bird. At any

rate he gave a trumpet of alarm, and the next minute, with screams of rage and fear, the elephants turned, and

"I'm afraid so!" shouted Tom, as he continued to focus his camera on the wonderful sight.

Crashing through the jungle the huge beasts turned against those who had, been driving them on toward the

stockade. With wild shouts and yells, the hunters and their native helpers tried to turn back the elephant tide,

but it was useless. The animals had been frightened by the airship, and were following their leader, a big bull,

that went crashing against great trees, snapping them off as if they were pipe stems.

"Say, this is something like!" cried Ned, as he guided the airship over the closely packed body of elephants,

so Tom could get good pictures, for the herd had divided, and a small number had gone off with one of the

"Yes, I'll get some great pictures," agreed Tom, as he looked in through a red covered opening in the camera,

The airship was now so low down that Tom, and the others, could easily make out the faces of the hunters,

and the native helpers. One of the hunters, evidently the chief, shaking his fist at our hero, cried:

"Can't you take your blooming ship out of the way, my man? It's scaring the beasts, and we've been a couple

of weeks on this drive. We don't want to lose all our work. Take your bloody ship away!"

"Bless my dictionary, I should say so," agreed Mr. Damon. "Bloody, blooming ship! The idea!"

"Well, I suppose we have scared the beasts," said Tom. "We ought to get out of the way. Put her up, Ned, and

"Yes, but I've got enough of a view from above. Besides, I've got to put in a fresh reel of film, and I might as

well get out of their sight to do it. Maybe that will quiet them, and the hunters can turn them back toward the

"I'm going to make a landing, set up my camera at the entrance to the stockade, and get a series of pictures as

"That certainly will," agreed Mr. Nestor. "I am sure Mr. Period will appreciate that. But won't it be

Ned put the ship high into the air, as Tom shut off the power from the camera. Then the Flyer was sent well

on in advance of the stampede of elephants, so they could no longer see it, or hear the throb of the powerful

As the travelers flew on, over the jungle, they could still hear the racket made by the hunters and beaters, and

Tom at once began changing the film in the camera, and Ned altered the course of the airship, to send it back

toward the stockade, which they had passed just before coming upon the herd of elephants.

I presume most of my readers know what an elephant drive is like. A stockade, consisting of heavy trees, is

made in the jungle. It is like the old fashioned forts our forefathers used to make, for a defense against the

Indians. There is a broad entrance to it, and, when all is in readiness, the beaters go out into the jungle, with

the white hunters, to round up the elephants. A number of tame pachyderms are taken along to persuade the

Gradually the elephants are gathered together in a large body, and gently driven toward the stockade. The

tame elephants go in first, and the others follow. Then the entrance is closed, and all that remains to be done

"Are you all ready?" asked Ned, after a bit, as he saw Tom come forward with the camera.

"Yes, I'm loaded for some more excitement. You can put me right over the stockade now, Ned, and when we

"I think they've got 'em turned," said Mr. Damon. "It sounds as if they were coming back this way."

A moment later they had a glimpse of the herd down below. It was true that the hunters had succeeded in

stopping the stampede, and once more the huge beasts were going in the right direction.

"There's a good place to make a landing," suggested Tom, as he saw a comparatively clear place in the

jungle. "It's near the stockade, and, in case of danger, I can make a quick getaway."

"What kind of danger are you looking for?" asked Ned, as he shifted the deflecting rudder.

The landing was made, and Tom, taking Ned and Mr. Nestor with him, and leaving the others to manage the

airship in case a quick flight would be necessary, made his way along a jungle trail to the entrance to the

On came the elephants, frightened by the shouts and cries of the beaters, and the firing of guns. The young

inventor took his place near the stockade entrance, and, as the elephants advanced through the forest, tearing

Suddenly the advance of the brutes was checked, and the foremost of them raised their trunks, trumpeted in

"Get away from that bloomin' gate!" shouted a hunter to Tom. "You're scaring them as bad as your airship

Tom slipped around the corner of the stockade, out of sight, and from that vantage point he took scores of

pictures, as the tame animals led the wild ones into the fenced enclosure. Then began another wild scene as

The terrified animals rushed about, trying in vain to find a way of escape. Tom managed to climb up on top

of the logs, and got some splendid pictures. But this was nearly his undoing. For, just as the last elephant

rushed in, a big bull charged against the stockade, and jarred Tom so that he was on the point of falling. His

one thought was about his camera, and he looked to see if he could drop it on the soft grass, so it would not

He saw Koku standing below him, the giant having slipped out of the airship, to see the beasts at closer range.

"Catch this, Koku!" cried Tom, tossing the big man his precious camera, and the giant caught it safely. But

Tom's troubles were not over. A moment later, as the huge elephant again rammed the fence, Tom fell off,

but fortunately outside. Then the large beast, seeing a small opening in the gate that was not yet entirely

closed, made for it. A moment later he was rushing straight at Tom, who was somewhat stunned by his fall,

The elephant paid no attention to any one but Tom, whom he seemed to think had caused all his trouble. The

young inventor dashed to one side, and then started to run toward the airship, for which Ned and Mr. Nestor

were already making. The elephant hunters at last succeeded in closing the gate, blocking the chance of any

"Run, Tom! Run!" yelled Ned, and Tom ran as he had never run before. The elephant was close after him

though, crashing through the jungle. Tom could see the airship just ahead of him.

Suddenly he felt something grasp him from behind. He thought surely it was the elephant's trunk, but a quick

"Me run for you," said Koku, as he caught Tom up under one arm, and, carrying the camera under the other,

he set off at top speed. Now Koku could run well at times, and this time he did. He easily outdistanced the

elephant, and, a little later, he set Tom down on the deck of the airship, with the camera beside him. Then

"He has stopped," shouted Mr. Nestor, and it was indeed so. The big beast, seeing again the strange craft that

had frightened him before, stood still for a moment, and then plunged off into the jungle, trumpeting with

"Safe!" gasped Tom, as he looked at his camera to see if it had been damaged. It seemed all right.

"Bless my latch key!" cried Mr. Damon. "This moving picture business isn't the most peaceful one in the

"Come on, let's get out of here while we have the chance," suggested Tom. "There may be another herd upon

The airship was soon ascending, and Tom and his companions could look down and see the tame elephants in

"Well, if these pictures come out all right I'll have some fine ones," exclaimed Tom as he carried his camera

to the room where he kept the films. "I fancy an elephant drive and stampede are novelties in this line."

"Indeed they are," agreed Mr. Nestor. "Mr. Period made no mistake when he picked you out, Tom, for this

"I'd like to get some lion and tiger pictures," said the young inventor. "I understand this is a good district for

that. As soon as those elephants get quieted down, I'm going back to the stockade and have a talk with the

This he did, circling about in the airship until nearly evening. When they again approached the stockade all

was quiet, and they came to earth. A native showed them where the white hunters had their headquarters, in

some bungalows, and Tom and his party were made welcome. They apologized for frightening the big beasts,

"As long as we got 'em, it's all right," said the head man, "though for awhile, I didn't like your bloomin'

machine." Tom entertained the hunters aboard his craft, at which they marvelled much, and they gave him all

"You won't find lions and tigers in herds, like. elephants though," said the head hunter. "And you may have to

"Well, I can take pictures at night," said Tom, as he showed his camera apparatus.

The next day, in the airship, they left for another district, where, so the natives reported, several lions had

been seen of late. They had done much damage, too, carrying off the native cattle, and killing several Indians.

For nearly a week Tom circled about in his airship, keeping a sharp lookout down below for a sign of lions

that he might photograph them. But he saw none, though he did get some pictures of a herd of Indian deer

"I think I'll have to try for a night photograph," decided Tom at last. "I'll locate a spring where wild beasts are

in the habit of coming, set the camera with the light going, and leave it there."

"I think so," replied his chum. "I'll take a chance, anyhow. If that doesn't work then I'll hide near by, and see

"Of course. Come to think of it, I'm not going to leave my camera out there for a lion to jump on, and break.

By inquiry among the natives they learned the location of a spring where, it was said, lions were in the habit

Accordingly the airship was headed for it, and one evening it came gently to earth in a little clearing on the

After the meal Tom and Ned set the camera, and then, picking out a good spot nearby, they hid themselves to

wait for what might happen. The lens was focused on the spring, and the powerful electric light set going. It

glowed brightly, and our hero thought it might have the effect of keeping the beasts away, but Tom figured

that, after they had looked at it for a while, and seen that it did not harm them, they would lose their

"The camera will do the rest," he said. In order not to waste films uselessly Tom arranged a long electric

wire, running it from the camera to where he and Ned were hid. By pressing a button he could start or stop

the camera any time he wished, and, as he had a view of the spring from his vantage point, he could have the

"Well, I'm getting stiff," said Ned, after an hour or so had passed in silent darkness, the only light being the

"I don't believe anything will come tonight," went on his chum. "Let's go back and"

He stopped suddenly, for there was a crackling in the underbrush, and the next moment the jungle vibrated to

Both lads glanced through the trees toward the camera, and, in the light, they saw a magnificent, tawny beast

standing on the edge of the spring. Once more he roared, as if in defiance, and then, as if deciding that the

Hardly had he done so than there was another roar, and a moment later a second lion leaped from the dense

jungle into the clearing about the spring. The two monarchs of the forest stood there in the glare of the light,

and Tom excitedly pressed the button that started the shutter to working, and the film to moving back of the

There was a slight clicking sound in the camera, and the lions turned startedly. Then both growled again, and

"A fight!" cried Tom. "A lion fight, and right in front of my camera! It couldn't be better. This is great! This

"Quiet!" begged Ned. "They'll hear you, and come for us. I don't want to be chewed up!"

"No danger of them hearing me!" cried Tom. and he had to shout to be heard above the roaring of the two

tawny beasts, as they bit and clawed each other, while the camera took picture after picture of them.

"I never did, Ned! It's wonderful! fearful! And to think that we are here watching it, and that thousands of

people will see the same thing thrown on a screen. Oh, look at the big one. The small lion has him down!"

The two lads, much thrilled, crouched down behind a screen of bushes, watching the midnight fight between

the lions. On the airship, not far distant, there was no little alarm, for those left behind heard the terrific roars,

and feared Tom and Ned might be in some danger. But the lions were too much occupied with their battle, to

pay any attention to anything else, and no other wild beasts were likely to come to the spring while the two

It was a magnificent, but terrible battle. The big cats bit and tore at each other, using their terrific claws and

their powerful paws, one stroke of which is said to be sufficient to break a bullock's back. Sometimes they

would roll out of the focus of the camera, and, at such times, Tom wished he was at the machine to swing the

lens around, but he knew it would be dangerous to move. Then the beasts would roll back into the rays of

"I guess the small one is going to win!" said Tom, after the two lions had fought for ten minutes, and the

"He's younger," agreed Ned, "and I guess the other one has had his share of fights. Maybe this is a battle to

"I guess so," spoke the young inventor, as he pressed the button to stop the camera, as the lions rolled out of

focus. "Oh, look!" he cried a moment later, as the animals again rolled into view. Tom started the camera

The small lion had, by a sudden spring, landed on the back of his rival. There was a terrific struggle, and the

older beast went down, the younger one clawing him terribly. Then, so quickly did it happen that the boys

could not take in all the details, the older lion rolled over and over, and rid himself of his antagonist. Quickly

he got to his feet, while the smaller lion did the same. They stood for a moment eyeing each other, their tails

twitching, the hair on their backs bristling, and all the while they uttered frightful, roars.

An instant later the larger beast sprang toward his rival. One terrible paw was upraised. The small lion tried to

dodge, but was not quick enough. Down came the paw with terrific force, and the boys could hear the back

bone snap. Then, clawing his antagonist terribly, as he lay disabled, the older lion, with a roar of triumph,

lapped up water, and sprang off through the jungle, leaving his dying rival beside the spring.

"That's the end," cried Tom, as the small lion died, and the young inventor pressed the button stopping his

camera. There was a rustle in the leaves back of Tom and Ned, and they sprang up in alarm, but they need not

have feared, for it was only Koku, the giant, who, with a portable electrical torch, had come to see how they

"Yes, and I got some fine pictures. You can carry the camera back now, Koku. I think that roll of film is

The three of them looked at the body of the dead lion, before they went back to the airship. I have called him

"small," but, in reality, the ;beast was small only in comparison with his rival, who was a tremendous lion in

size. I might add that of all the pictures Tom took, few were more highly prized than that reel of the lion

"Bless my bear cage!" cried Mr. Damon, as Tom came back, "you certainly have nerve, my boy."

"You have to, in this business," agreed Tom with a laugh. "I never did this before, and I don't know that I

They remained near the "lion spring" as they called it all night, and in the morning, after Koku had served a

tasty breakfast, Tom headed the airship for a district where it was said there were many antelope, and

"I don't want to get all exciting pictures," our hero said to Mr. Nestor. "I think that films showing wild

"I'm sure they will," said Mary's father. "Get some peaceful scenes, by all means."

They sailed on for several days, taking a number of pictures from the airship, when they passed over a part of

the country where the view was magnificent, and finally, stopping at a good sized village they learned that,

"We'll go there," decided Tom, "and I'll take the camera around with me on a sort of walking trip. In that way

This plan was followed out. The airship came to rest in a beautiful green valley, and Ned and Tom, with Mr.

"You can follow me in about half an hour, Koku," said Tom, "and carry the camera back. I guess you can

"Oh, sure," replied the giant. Indeed, to one who had lived in the forest, as he had all his life, before Tom

found him, it was no difficult matter to follow a trail, such as the three friends would leave.

Tom found signs that showed him where the antelopes were in the habit of passing, and, with Ned and Mr.

He had not long to wait before a herd of deer came past. Tom took many pictures of the graceful creatures,

for it was daylight now, and he needed no light. Consequently there was nothing to alarm the herd.

After having made several films of the antelope, Tom and his two companions went farther on. They were

fortunate enough to find a place that seemed to be a regular playground of the deer. There was a large herd

there, and, getting as near as he dared, Tom focused his camera, and began taking pictures.

"It's as good as a play," whispered Mr. Damon, as he and Ned watched the creatures, for they had to speak

"So am I," said Ned. "Look, Tom, see the mother deer all together, and the fawns near them. It's just as if it

For some little time longer Tom photographed the deer, and then, suddenly, the timid creatures all at once

lifted up their heads, and darted off. Tom and Ned, wondering what had startled them, looked across the

glade just in time to see a big tiger leap out of the tall grass. The striped animal had been stalking the

"Get him, Tom," urged Ned, and the young inventor did so, securing several fine views be. fore the tiger

"Bless my china teacup! What's that!" suddenly cried Mr. Damon. As he spoke there was a crashing in the

bushes and, an instant later as twohorned rhinoceros sprang into view, charging straight for the group.

"Bless my" began Mr. Damon, but he did not finish, for, in starting to run his foot caught in the grass, and

Tom leaped to one side, holding his camera so as not to damage it. But he stumbled over Mr. Damon, and

With a "wuff" of rage the clumsy beast, came on, moving more rapidly than Tom had any idea he was

capable of. Hampered by his camera our hero could not arise. The rhinoceros was almost upon him, and Ned,

catching up a club, was just going to make a rush to the rescue, when the brute seemed suddenly to crumple

"I did," answered Koku quietly, stepping out of the bushes, with one of Tom's Swift's electric rifles in his

Tom Swift rose slowly to his feet, carefully setting his camera down, after making sure that it was not

injured. Then he looked at the huge beast which lay dead in front of him, and, going over to the giant he held

"Koku, you saved my life," spoke Tom. "Probably the life of Mr. Damon also. I can't begin to thank you. It

isn't the first time you've done it, either. But I want to say that you can have anything you want, that I've got."

"Then it's yours!" exclaimed Tom. "And you're the only one, except myself, who has ever owned one." Tom's

wonderful electric rifle, of which I have told you in the book bearing that name, was one of his most

He guarded jealously the secret of how it worked, and never sold or gave one away, for fear that

unscrupulous men might learn how to make them, and to cause fearful havoc. For the rifle was a terrible

weapon. Koku seemed to appreciate the honor done him, as he handled the gun, and looked from it to the

"Bless my blank cartridge!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, as he also got up and came to examine the dead beast. It

was the first thing he had said since the animal had rushed at him, and he had not moved after he fell down.

He had seemingly been in a daze, but when the others heard him use one of his favorite expressions they

knew that he was all right again. "Bless my hat!" went on the odd man. "What happened, Tom? Is that beast

"I guess he's dead all right," said Tom, giving the rhinoceros a kick. "But I don't know how Koku happened to

"I think maybe I see something to shoot when I come after you, like you tell me to do," spoke the giant. "I

follow your trail, but I see nothing to shoot until I come here. Then I see that animal run for you, and I shoot."

"And a good thing you did, too," put in Ned. "Well let's go back. My nerves are on edge, and I want to sit

"Take the camera, Koku," ordered Tom, "and I'll carry the electric rifleyour rifle, now," he added, and the

giant grinned in delight. They reached the airship without further incident, and, after a cup of tea, Tom took

out the exposed films and put a fresh roll in his camera, ready for whatever new might happen.

"Where is your next stopping place, Tom?" asked Ned, as they sat in the main room of the airship that

evening, talking over the events of the day. They had decided to stay all night anchored on the ground, and

"I hardly know, answered the young inventor. "I am going to set the camera tonight, near a small spring I

saw, to get some pictures of deer coming to drink. I may get a picture of a lion or a tiger attacking them. If I

could it would be another fine film. Tomorrow I think we will start for Switzerland. But now I'm going to

"Bless my check book!" cried Mr. Damon. "You don't mean to say that you are going to stay out at a spring

"No, I'm merely going to set the camera, attach the light and let it work automatically this time. I've put in an

extra long roll of film, for I'm going to keep it going for a long while, and part of the time there may be no

animals there to take pictures of. No, I'm not going to sit out tonight. I'm too tired. I'll conceal the camera in

the bushes so it won't be damaged if there's a fight. Then, as I said, we'll start for Switzerland tomorrow."

"Switzerland!" cried Ned. "What in the world do you want to go make a big jump like that for? And what do

"I'm going to try for a picture of an avalanche," said Tom. "Mr. Period wants one, if I can get it. It is quite a

jump, but then we'll be flying over civilized countries most of the time, and if any accident happens we can

go down and easily make repairs. We can also get gasolene for the motor, though I have quite a supply in the

tanks, and perhaps enough for the entire trip. At the same time we won't take any chances. So we'll be off for

"I think some avalanche pictures will be great, if you can get them," remarked Mr. Nestor. "But, Tom, you

"Oh, I know," agreed the young inventor with a smile. "I'll just have to take my chances, and wait until one

"Bless my insurance policy!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "And when it does happen, Tom, are you going to stand

"Indeed I'm not. This business is risky and dangerous enough, without looking for trouble. I'm going to the

mountain region, and hover around in the air, until we see an avalanche 'happen' if that is the right word.

Then I'll focus the camera on it, and the films and machinery will do the rest."

Tom and Ned soon had the camera set near the spring and then, everyone being tired with the day's work and

excitement, they retired. In the morning there were signs around the spring that many animals had been there

in the night. There were also marks as if there had been a fight, but of course what sort, or how desperate, no

"If anything happened the camera got it, I'm sure of that much," remarked Tom, as he brought in the

apparatus. "I'm not going to develop the roll, for I don't want to take the time now. I guess we must have

"If there isn't it won't so much matter for you have plenty of other good views," said Mr. Nestor.

I will not go into details of the long trip to Switzerland, where, amid the mountains of that country, Tom

Sufficient to say that the airship made good time after leaving India. Sometimes Tom sent the craft low down,

"Well, another day will bring us there," said Tom one evening, as he was loading the camera with a fresh roll

"Yes, we're making pretty good time," remarked Ned, as he looked at the speed gage. "I didn't know you had

"I haven't," was the young inventor's answer, as he looked up in surprise. "Why, we are going quite fast! It's

Tom arose and went to the anemometer, or windregistering instrument. He gave a low whistle, half of

"Fifty miles an hour she's blowing now," he said. "It came on suddenly, too, for a little while ago it was only

"Is there any danger?" asked Mr. Nestor, for he was not very familiar with airship perils.

"Well, we've been in big blows before, and we generally came out all right," returned Tom. "Still, I don't like

this. Why she went up five points since I've been looking at it!" and he pointed to the needle of the gage,

With a suddenness that was startling, the wind increased in violence still more. Tom ran to the pilot house.

"See if we can't go down a bit," was Tom's answer. "I don't like this. It may be calmer below. We're up too

He tried to throw over the lever controlling the deflecting rudder, which would send the Flyer down, but he

"Give me a hand!" he called to Ned, but even the strength of the two lads was not sufficient to shift it.

Meanwhile the airship was being carried onward in the grip of a mighty wind, so strong that its pressure on

"Bless my thermometer!" gasped Mr. Damon. "This is terrible!" The airship was plunging and swaying about

"What has happened?" cried Mr. Nestor. "We were on a level keel before. What is it?"

"It's the automatic balancing rudder!" answered Tom. "Something has happened to it. The wind may have

"What are you going to do? Don't you want Koku to shift the deflecting rudder? Here he is," Ned added, as

"It's too late to try the deflecting rudder!" tried Tom. "I must see what is the matter with our balancer." As he

spoke the ship gave a terrific plunge, and the occupants were thrown sideways. The next moment it was on a

level keel again, scudding along with the gale, but there was no telling when the craft would again nearly

Tom looked at the mechanism controlling the equalizing and equilibrium rudder. It was out of order, and he

"What can we do?" cried Ned, as the airship nearly rolled over. "Can't we do anything, Tom?"

"Yes. I'm going to try. Keep calm now. We may come out all right. This is the worst blow we've been in

since we were in Russia. Start the gas machine full blast. I want all the vapor I can get."

As I have explained the Flyer was a combined dirigible balloon and aeroplane. It could be used as either, or

both, in combination. At present the gas bag was not fully inflated, and Tom had been sending his craft along

"What are you going to do?" cried Ned, as he pulled over the lever that set the gas generating machine in

"I'm going up as high as I can go!" cried Tom. "If we can't go down we must go up. I'll get above the

The vapor hissed as it rushed into the big bag overhead. Tom carried aboard his craft the chemicals needed to

generate the powerful lifting gas, of which he alone had the secret. It was more powerful than hydrogen, and

Meanwhile Tom, with Koku, Mr. Damon and Mr. Nestor to help him, worked over the deflecting rudder, and

Ned stood by the gas machine, and worked it to the limit. But even with all that energy, so powerful was the

wind, that the Flyer rose slowly, the gale actually holding her down as a waterlogged craft is held below the

waves. Ordinarily, with the gas machine set at its limit the craft would have shot up rapidly.

At times the airship would skim along on the level, and again it would be pitched and tossed about, until it

was all the occupants could do to keep their feet. Mr. Damon was continually blessing everything he could

"Now she's going!" suddenly cried Ned, as he looked at the dials registering the pressure of the gas, and

"Going how?" gasped Tom, as he looked over from where he was working at the equilibrium apparatus.

It was true. Now that the bag was filled with the powerful lifting gas, under pressure, the Flyer was beginning

to get out of the dangerous predicament into which the gale had blown her, Up and up she went, and every

"Maybe it all happened for the best," said Tom, as he noted the height gage. "If we had gone down, the wind

Later they learned that this was so. The most destructive wind storm ever known swept across the southern

part of Europe, over which they were flying that night, and, had the airship gone down, she would probably

have been destroyed. But, going up, she got above the windstrata. Up and up she climbed, until, when three

miles above the earth, she was in a calm zone. It was rather hard to breathe at this height, and Tom set the

This created in the interior of the craft an atmosphere almost like that on the earth, and the travelers were

made more at their ease. Getting out of the terrible wind pressure made it possible to work the deflecting

"We'll just sail along at this height until morning," he said, "and by then the gale may be over, or we may be

beyond the zone of it. Start the propellers, Ned. I think I can manage to repair the equilibrium rudder now."

The propellers, which gave the forward motion to the airship, had been stopped when it was found that the

wind was carrying her along, but they were now put in motion again, sending the Flyer forward. In a short

time Tom had the equilibrium machine in order, and matters were now normal again.

"But that was a strenuous time while it lasted," remarked the young inventor, as he sat down.

"Bless my pen wiper!" cried Mr. Damon. "That was one of the few times when I wish I'd never come with

The Flyer was now out of danger, going along high in the air through the night, while the gale raged below

her. At Tom's suggestion, Koku got a lunch ready, for they were all tired with their labors, and somewhat

"And now for sleep!" exclaimed Tom, as he pushed back his plate. "Ned, set the automatic steering gear, and

An examination, through a powerful telescope in the bright light of morning, showed the travelers that they

were over the outskirts of a large city, which, later, they learned was Rome, Italy.

"We've made a good trip," said Tom. "The gale had us worried, but it sent us along at a lively clip. Now for

They made a landing at a village just outside the "Holy City," as Rome is often called, and renewed their

supply of gasolene. Naturally they attracted a crowd of curious persons, many of whom had never seen an

The next day found them hovering over the Alps, where Tom hoped to be able to get the pictures of snow

slides. They went down to earth at a town near one of the big mountain ranges, and there made inquiries as to

where would be the best location to look for big avalanches. If they went but a few miles to the north, they

were told, they would be in the desired region, and they departed for that vicinity.

"And now we've just got to take our time, and wait for an avalanche to happen," remarked Tom, as they were

flying along over the mountain ranges. "As Mr. Damon said, these things aren't made to order. They just

For three days they sailed in and out over the great snowcovered peaks of the Alps. They did not go high up,

for they wanted to be near earth when an avalanche would occur, so that nearview pictures could be

secured. Occasionally they saw parties of mountain climbers ascending some celebrated peak, and for want of

"Well, I guess they're all out of avalanches this season," remarked Ned one afternoon, when they had circled

back and forth over a mountain where, so it was said, the big snow slides were frequent.

"It does seem so," agreed Tom. "Still, we're in no hurry. It is easier to be up here, than it is walking around in

The sky was covered with lowering clouds, and there were occasionally flurries of snow. Tom's airship was

well above the snow line on the mountains. The young inventor and Ned sat in the pilot house, taking

"The avalanche! The snow is beginning to slide down the mountain! Say, it's going to be a big one, too. Got

"Sure! I've had it ready for the last three days. Put me over there, Ned. You look after the airship, and I'll take

Tom sprang to get his apparatus, while his chum hurried to the levers, wheels and handles that controlled the

Flyer. As they approached the avalanche they could see the great mass of ice, snow, big stones, and earth

"This is just what I wanted!" cried Tom, as he set his camera working. "Put me closer, Ned."

Ned obeyed, and the airship was now hovering directly over the avalanche, and right in its path. The big

landslide, as it would have been called in this country, met no village in its path, fortunately, or it would have

"I want to get a real close view!" cried Tom, as he got some pictures showing a whole grove of giant trees

"We're falling!" yelled Ned. "Something has gone wrong. We're going down into the avalanche!".

There was confusion aboard the airship. Tom, hearing Ned's cry, left his camera, to rush to the engine room,

but not before he had set the picture apparatus to working automatically. Mr. Damon, Mr. Nestor and Koku,

alarmed by Ned's cries, ran back from the forward part of the craft, where they had been watching the mighty

"I don't know! The propellers have stopped! We were running as an aeroplane you know. Now we're going

"Bless my suspenders!" shouted Mr. Damon. "If we land in the midst of that conglomeration of ice it will be

"By the gas machine!" answered Tom. "That will stop us from falling. Start it up, Ned!"

"Less than a second," called Tom, as he saw how near to the mighty, rushing avalanche they were coming.

Ned worked rapidly, and in a very short time the downward course of the airship was checked. It floated

easily above the rushing flood of ice and earth, and Tom, seeing that his craft, and those on it, were safe,

hurried back to his camera. Meanwhile the machine had automatically been taking pictures, but now with the

Tom aimed it here and there, at the most spectacular parts of the avalanche. The others gathered around him,

after Ned had made an inspection, and found that a broken electrical wire had caused the propellers to stop.

This was soon repaired and then, as they were hanging in the air like a balloon, Tom took picture after picture

"This will be a great film!" Tom shouted to Ned, as the latter informed him that the machinery was all right

His chum made the necessary adjustments to the mechanism and then, there being nothing more to slide

down the mountainside the avalanche was ended. But what a mass of wreck and ruin there was! It was as if a

"It's a good thing it wasn't on a side of the mountain where people lived," commented Ned, as the airship rose

high toward the clouds. "If it had been, there'd be nothing left of 'em. What hairraising stunt are you going

"Hear from Mr. Period?" exclaimed Mr. Nestor. "How are you going to do that, Tom?"

"He said he would telegraph me at Berne, Switzerland, at a certain date, as he knew I was coming to the Alps

to try for some avalanche pictures. It's two or three days yet, before I can expect the telegram, which of

course will have to come part way by cable. In the meanwhile, I think we'll take a little rest, and a vacation. I

want to give the airship an overhauling, and look to my camera. There's no telling what Mr. Period may want

"Then he didn't make out your programme completely before you started?" asked Mr. Nestor.

"No, he said he'd communicate with me from time to time. He is in touch with what is going on in the world,

you know, and if he hears of anything exciting at any place, I'm to go there at once. You see he wants the

"Yes, our company is out to give the best pictures we can secure," spoke Mary's father, "and I think we are

lucky to have Tom Swift working for us. We already have films that no other concern can get. And we need

"I wonder what became of those men who started to make so much trouble for you, Tom?" asked Mr.

"Well, they seem to have disappeared," replied our hero. "Of course they may be after me any day now, but

"No, it may be to Japan, or to the North Pole. Well, I'm ready for anything. We've got plenty of gasolene, and

They went down to earth in a quiet spot, just outside of a little village, and there they remained three days, to

the no small wonder of the inhabitants. Tom wanted to see if his camera was working properly. So he

developed some of the avalanche pictures, and found them excellent. The rest of the time was spent in

making some needed repairs to the airship, while the young inventor overhauled his Wizard machine, that he

Their arrival in Berne created quite a sensation, but they were used to that. Tom anchored his airship just

outside the city, and, accompanied by Ned, made his way to the telegraph office. Some of the officials there

As Tom said this he observed a man sitting in the corner of the office get up hurriedly and go out. All at once

his suspicions were aroused. He thought of the attempts that had been made to get his Wizard Camera away

"Him? Oh, he, too, is expecting a message from America. He has been here some time."

"My telegram? Is it here?" asked Tom impatiently. He wanted to get whatever word there was from Mr.

Period, and be on his way to whatever destination the picture man might select. Perhaps, after all, his

"Yes, there is a cablegram here for you, Monsieur Swift," said the man, who was French. "There are charges

"Pay 'em, Ned, while I see what this is," directed the young inventor, as he tore open the envelope.

"No, just the opposite. Mr. Period wants me to go to Africa the Congo Free State. There's an uprising

among the natives there, and he wants some war pictures. Well, I guess I'll have to go."

As Tom spoke he looked toward the door of the telegraph office, and he saw the man, who had so hurriedly

"Off to Africa; eh?" remarked Ned, as Tom put the envelope in his pocket. "That's another long jump. But I

"Yes, I think so. I say Ned, not so loud," said Tom, who had hurried to the side of his chum, whispered the

"I don't know. But I think we are being watched. Did you notice that fellow who was in here a minute ago,

"Well, he's looking in the door now I think. Don't turn round. Just look up into that mirror on the wall, and

"I understand," whispered Ned, as he turned his gaze toward the mirror in question, a large one, with

advertisements around the frame. "I see him," he went on. "There's some one with him."

"That's what I thought," replied Tom. "Take a good look. Whom do you think the other chap is?"

Ned looked long and earnestly. By means of the mirror, he could see, perfectly plain, two men standing just

outside the door of the telegraph office. The portal was only partly open. Ned drew an old letter from his

pocket, and pretended to be showing it to Tom. But, all the while he was gazing earnestly at the two men.

"By Jove, Tom!" the lad exclaimed in a tense whisper. "If it isn't that Eckert fellow I'm a cow."

"That's what I thought," spoke Tom coolly. "Not that you're a cow, Ned, but I believe that this man is one of

the moving picture partners, who are rivals of Mr. Period. I wasn't quite sure myself after the first glance I

had of him, so I wanted you to take a look. Do you know the other chapthe one who ran out when I asked

"Go back to the airship, and tell Mr. Nestor. As one of the directors in the concern I'm working for. I want his

"Good idea," replied Ned, and they turned to leave the office. The spying stranger, and William Eckert, were

"They got away mighty quick," remarked Tom, as he looked up and down the street.

"Yes, they probably saw us turn to come out, and made a quick getaway. They might be in any one of these

places along here," for the street, on either side of the telegraph office, contained a number of hotels, with

"They must be on your trail yet," decided Mr. Nestor when Tom, reaching the anchored airship, told what had

happened. "Well, my advice is to go to Africa as soon as we can. In that way we'll leave them behind, and

"But what I can't understand," said Tom, "is how they knew I was coming here. It was just as if that one man

had been waiting in the telegraph office for me to appear. I'm sorry, now, that I mentioned to Ned where we

"They probably knew, anyway," was Mr. Nestor's opinion. "I think this may explain it. The rival concern in

New York has been keeping track of Mr. Period's movements. Probably they have a paid spy who may be in

his employ. They knew when he sent you a telegram, what it contained, and where it was directed to. Then,

of course, they knew you would call here for it. What they did not know was when you would come, and so

they had to wait. That one spy was on guard, and, as soon as you came, he went and summoned Eckert, who

"Bless my detective story!" cried Mr. Damon. "What a state of affairs! They ought to be arrested, Tom."

"It would be useless," said Mr. Nestor. "They are probably far enough away by this time. Or else they have

"I'll fight my own battles!" exclaimed the young inventor. "I don't go much on the police in a case like this,

especially foreign police. Well, my camera is all right, so far," he went on, as he took a look at it, in the

compartment where he kept it. "Some one must always remain near it, after this. But we'll soon start for

Africa, to get some pictures of a native battle. I hope it isn't the red pygmies we have to photograph."

"Bless my shoe laces! Don't suggest such a thing," begged Mr. Damon, as he recalled the strenuous times

It was necessary to lay in some stores and provisions, and for this reason Tom could not at once head the

airship for the African jungles. As she remained at anchor, just outside the city, crowds of Swiss people came

out to look at the wonderful craft. But Tom and his companions took care that no one got aboard, and they

kept a strict lookout for Americans, or Englishmen, thinking perhaps that Mr. Eckert, or the spy, might try to

get the camera. However, they did not see them, and a few days after the receipt of the message from Mr.

Period, having stocked up, they rose high into the air, and set out to cross the Mediterranean Sea for Africa.

Tom laid a route over Tripoli, the Sahara Desert, the French Congo, and so into the Congo Free State. In his

telegram, Mr. Period had said that the expected uprising was to take place near Stanley Falls, on the Congo

"And supposing it does not happen?" asked Mr. Damon. "What if the natives don't fight, Tom? You'll have

"It's one of the chances I'm taking," replied the young inventor, and truly, as he thought of it, he realized that

the perils of the moving picture business were greater than he had imagined. Tom hoped to get a quick trip to

the Congo, but, as they were sailing over the big desert, there was an accident to the main motor, and the

airship suddenly began shooting toward the sands. She was easily brought up, by means of the gas bags, and

allowed to settle gently to the ground, in the vicinity of a large oasis. But, when Tom looked at the broken

"This means a week's delay. It will take that, and longer, to fix it so we can go on."

"Too bad!" exclaimed Mr. Nestor. "The war may be over when we get there. But it can't be helped."

It took Tom and his friends even longer than he had thought to make the repairs. In the meanwhile they

camped in the desert place, which was far from being unpleasant. Occasionally a caravan halted there, but,

"No danger of Eckert, or any of his spies coming here, I guess," said Tom grimly as he blew on a portable

In due time they were again on the wing, and without further incident they were soon in the vicinity of

Stanley Falls. They managed to locate a village where there were some American missionaries established.

They were friends of Mr. and Mrs. Illington, the missionaries whom Tom had saved from the red pygmies, as

told in the "Electric Rifle" volume of this series, and they made our hero and his friends welcome.

"Is it true?" asked Tom, of the missionaries who lived not far from Stanley Falls, "that there is to be a native

"I am sorry to say, I fear there will be fighting among the tribesmen," replied Mr. Janeway, one of the

"Then I'm not too late!" cried Tom, and there was exultation in his voice. "I don't mean to be barbarous," he

went on, as he saw that the missionaries looked shocked, "but as long as they are going to fight I want to get

"Oh, they'll fight all right," spoke Mrs. Janeway. "The poor, ignorant natives here are always ready to fight.

"Well, the rumors we have, seem to indicate that the fight will take place about ten miles north of here. We

will have notice of it before it starts, as some of the natives, whom we have succeeded in converting, belong

to the tribe that is to be attacked. They will be summoned to the defense of their town and then it will be time

enough for you to go. Oh, war is a terrible thing! I do not like to talk about it. Tell me how you rescued our

friends from the red pygmies," and Tom was obliged to relate that story, which I have told in detail

Several days passed, and Tom and his friends spent a pleasant time in the African village with the

missionaries. The airship and camera were in readiness for instant use, and during this period of idleness our

hero got several fine films of animal scenes, including a number of nightfights among the beasts at the

drinking pools. One tiger battle was especially good, from a photographic standpoint.

One afternoon, a number of native bearers came into the town. They preceded two white men, who were

evidently sportsmen, or explorers, and the latter had a well equipped caravan. The strangers sought the advice

of the missionaries about where big game might be found, and Tom happened to be at the cottage of Mr.

The young inventor looked at them critically, as he was introduced to them. Both men spoke with an English

accent, one introducing himself as Bruce Montgomery, and the other as Wade Kenneth. Tom decided that

they were of the ordinary type of globetrotting Britishers, until, on his way to his airship, he passed the

"Whew!" whistled Tom, as he caught sight of a peculiarly shaped box. "See that, Ned?"

"It's a moving picture camera, or I lose my guess!" whispered Tom. "One of the old fashioned kind. Those

men are no more tourists, or after big game, than I am! They're moving picture men, and they're here to get

views of that native battle! Ned, we've got to be on our guard. They may be in the pay of that Turbot and

As they neared their airship, there came, running down what served as the main village street, an African who

showed evidence of having come from afar. As he ran on, he called out something in a strange tongue.

"Something important, I'll wager," replied Tom. "Ned, you go back to the missionaries house, and find out

"It's come!" cried Ned a little later, as he hurried into the interior of the airship, where Tom was busy working

"War! That native, whom we saw running in, brought news that the battle would take place day after

tomorrow. The enemies of his tribe are on the march, so the African spies say, and he came to summon all

"They were talking to the missionaries when the runner came in. They pretended to have no interest in it, but

I saw one wink to the other, and then, very soon, they went out, and I saw them talking to their native bearers,

"I knew it, Ned! I was sure of it! Those fellows came here to trick us, though how they ever followed our trail

I don't know. Probably they came by a fast steamer to the West Coast, and struck inland, while we were

delayed on the desert. I don't care if they are only straight outandout rivalsand not chaps that are trying

to take an unfair advantage. I suppose all the big picture concerns have a tip about this war, and they may

have representatives here. I hope we get the best views. Now come on, and give me a hand. We've got our

"Bless my red cross bandage!" cried Mr. Damon, when he heard the news. "A native fight, eh? That will be

something I haven't seen in some time. Will there be any danger, Tom, do you think?"

"Not unless our airship tumbles down between the two African forces," replied our hero, "and I'll take care

that it doesn't do that. "We'll be well out of reach of any of their blow guns, or arrows."

"But I understand that many of the tribes have powder weapons," said Mr. Nestor.

"They have," admitted Tom, "but they are 'trader's' rifles, and don't carry far. We won't run any risk from

"A big fight; eh?" asked Koku when they told him what was before them. "Me like to help."

"Yes, and I guess both sides would give a premium for your services," remarked Tom, as he gazed at his big

Somewhat to Tom's surprise the two Englishmen showed no further interest in him and his airship, after the

With the stolidity of their race the Britishers did not show any surprise, as, some time afterward, they strolled

down toward Tom's big craft, after supper, and looked it over. Soon they went back to their own camp, and a

little later, Koku, who walked toward it, brought word that the Englishmen were packing up.

"They're going to start for the seat of war the first thing in the morning," decided Tom. "Well, we'll get ahead

of them. Though we can travel faster than they can, we'll start now, and be on the ground in good season.

Besides, I don't like staying all night in the same neighborhood with them. Get ready for a start, Ned."

Tom did not stop to say goodbye to the Englishmen, though he bade farewell to the missionaries, who had

been so kind to him. There was much excitement in the native town, for many of the tribesmen were getting

As dusk was falling, the big airship arose, and soon her powerful propellers were sending her across the

jungle, toward Stanley Falls in the vicinity of which the battle was expected to take place.

"Yes, just as the spies said they would. Wow, what a crowd of the black beggars there are! And some of 'em

have regular guns, too. But most of 'em have clubs, bows and arrows, blow guns, or spears."

Tom and Ned were standing on the forward part of the airship, which was moving slowly along, over an open

plateau, in the jungle where the native battle was about to take place. Our friends had left the town where the

missionaries lived, and had hovered over the jungle, until they saw signs of the coming struggle. They had

seen nothing of their English rivals since coming away, but had no doubt but that the Britishers were

The two forces of black men, who had gone to war over a dispute about some cattle, approached each other.

There was the beating of tomtoms, and skin drums, and many weird shouts. From their vantage point in the

air, Tom and his companions had an excellent view. The Wizard Camera was loaded with a long reel of film,

"Bless my handkerchief!" cried Mr. Damon, as he looked down on the forces that were about to clash. "I

"I either," admitted Tom. "But, if things go right, I'm going to get some dandy films!"

Nearer and nearer the rival forces advanced. At first they had stared, and shouted in wonder at the sight of the

airship, hovering above them, but their anger soon drew their attention to the fighting at hand, and, after

useless gestures toward the craft of the air, and after some of them had vainly fired their guns or arrows at it,

they paid no more attention, but rushed on with their shouts and cries and amid the beating of their rude

"I think I'll begin to take pictures now," said Tom, as Ned, in charge of the ship, sent it about in a circle,

giving a general view of the rival forces. "I'll show a scene of the two crowds getting ready for business, and,

later on, when they're actually giving each other cats and dogs, I'll get all the pictures possible."

The camera was started while, safe in the a those on the Flyer watched what went on below them.

Suddenly the forward squads of the two small armies of blacks met. With wild, weird yells they rushed at

each other. The air was filled with flying arrows and spears. The sound of the old fashioned muzzleloading

guns could he heard, and clouds of smoke arose. Tilting his camera, and arranging the newly attached

reflecting mirrors so as to give the effect as if a spectator was looking at the battle from in front, instead of

The fight was now on. With yells of rage and defiance the Africans came together, giving blow for blow. It

was a wild melee, and those on the airship looked on fascinated, though greatly wishing that such horrors

"Everything going good! I don't like this business, but now I'm in it I'm going to stick. Put me down a little

"By that lightningstruck gum tree. See those two men, and some sort of a machine they've got stuck up on

And then, with a crash and roar, with wild shouts and yells, with volley after volley of firearms, clouds of

smoke and flights of arrows and spears, the native battle was in full swing, while the young inventor, sailing

"War is always a fearful thing," spoke Mr. Nestor. "But this is not as bad as if the natives fought with modern

weapons. See! most of them are fighting with clubs, and their fists. They don't seem to hurt each other very

"That's so," agreed Mr. Damon. The two gentlemen were in the main cabin, looking down on the fight below

them, while Tom, with Ned to help him change the reels of films, as they became filled with pictures,

attended to the camera. Koku was steering the craft, as he had readily learned how to manage it.

"Are those Englishmen taking pictures yet?" asked Tom, too busy to turn his head, and look for himself.

"Yes, they're still at," replied Ned. "But they seem to be having trouble with their machine," he added as he

saw one of the men leave the apparatus, and run hurriedly back to where they had made a temporary camp.

"I guess it's an oldfashioned kind," commented Tom. "Say, this is getting fierce!" he cried, as the natives got

"I should say so!" yelled Ned. "It's a wonder those Englishmen aren't afraid to be down on the same level

"Oh, a white person is considered almost sacred by the natives here, so the missionaries told me," said Tom.

"A black man would never think of raising his hand to one, and the Englishmen probably know this. They're

safe enough. In fact I'm thinking of soon going down myself, and getting some views from the ground."

"Yes, I think I will. Why, it's safe enough. Besides, if they attack us we have the electric rifles. Ned, you tell

Koku to get the guns out, to have in readiness, and then you put the ship down. I'll take a chance."

"Jove! You've been doing nothing but take chances since we came on this trip!" exclaimed Ned, admiringly.

"All right! Here we go," and he went to relieve Koku at the wheel, while the giant, grinning cheerfully at the

prospect of taking part in the fight himself, got out the rifles, including his own.

Meanwhile the native battle went on fiercely. Many on both sides fell, and not a few ran away, when they got

the chance, their companions yelling at them, evidently trying to shame them into coming back.

As the airship landed, Mr. Damon, Mr. Nestor, Ned and Koku stood ready with the deadly electric rifles, in

case an attack should be made on them. But the fighting natives paid no more attention to our friends than

they did to the two Englishmen. The latter moved their clumsy camera from place to place, in order to get

"This is the best yet!" cried Tom, as, after a lull in the fight, when the two opposing armies had drawn a little

apart, they came together again more desperately than before. "I hope the pictures are being recorded all

right. I have to go at this thing pretty much in the dark. Say, look at the beggars fight!" he finished.

But a battle, even between uncivilized blacks, cannot go on for very long at a time. Many had fallen, some

being quite severely injured it seemed, being carried off by their friends. Then, with a sudden rush, the side

which, as our friends learned later, had been robbed of their cattle, made a fierce attack, overwhelming their

enemies, and compelling them to retreat. Across the open plain the vanquished army fled, with the others

"This ends it!" he remarked to Ned, when the warriors were too far away to make any more good views.

"The Englishmen gave up some time ago," said his chum, motioning to the two men who were taking their

"Guess their films gave out," spoke Tom. "Well, you see it didn't do any harm to come down, and I got some

"Here they come back!" exclaimed Ned, as a horde of the black fellows emerged f row the jungle, and came

"Hear 'em sing!" commented Tom, as the sound of a rude chant came to their ears. "They must be the winners

"I guess so," agreed Ned. "But what about staying here now? Maybe they won't be so friendly to us when

And the blacks did not. They were caring for their wounded, who had not already been taken from the field,

and they paid no attention to our friends, save to look curiously at the airship.

"Bless my newspaper!" cried Mr. Damon, with an air of relief. "I'm glad that's over, and we didn't have to use

"Here come the Englishmen to pay us a visit," spoke Ned a little later, as they sat about the cabin of the Flyer.

"Beg pardon," said the taller of the two, addressing our hero, "but could you lend us a roll of film? Ours are

all used up, and we want to get some more pictures before going back to our main camp."

"I'm sorry," replied Tom, "but I use a special size, and it fits no camera but my own."

"Ah! might we see your camera?" asked the other Englishman. "That is, see how it works?"

"I don't like to be disobliging," was Tom's answer, "but it is not yet patented andwell" he hesitated.

"Oh, I see!" sneered the taller visitor. "You're afraid we might steal some of your ideas. Hum!" Come on

Montgomery," and, swinging on his heels, with a military air, he hurried away, followed by his companion.

"They don't like that, but I can't help it," remarked Tom to his friends a little later. "I can't afford to take any

"No, you did just right," said Mr. Nestor. "Those men may be all right, but from the fact that they are in the

"Oh, I think we'll stay here over night," was our hero's reply. "It's a nice location, and the gas machine needs

They were busy the rest of the day on the gas generator, but the main body of natives did not come back, and

Everyone slept soundly that night. So soundly, in fact, that the sun was very high when Koku was the first to

awaken, His head felt strangely dizzy, and he wondered at a queer smell in the room he had to himself.

"Nobody up yet," he exclaimed in surprise, as he staggered into the main cabin. There, too, was the strange,

sweetish, sickly smell. "Mr. Tom, where you be? Time to get up!" the giant called to his master, as he went

"Eh? What's that? What's the matter?" began Tom, and then he suddenly sat up. "Oh, my head!" he

"Chloroform!" cried Tom, staggering to his feet. "I wonder" He did not finish his sentence, but made his way

to the room where his camera was kept. "It's gone!" he cried. "We have been chloroformed in the night, and

"Did they chloroform us?" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my" but for one of the few times in his life, he

"Get all the fresh air you can," hastily advised Mr. Nestor. "Koku, open all the doors and windows," for,

though it was hot during the day in the jungle, the nights were cool, and the airship was generally closed up.

"Yes, several rolls of unexposed films. Oh, if only they haven't got too much of a start! I'll get it away from

"Those Englishmen, of course! Who else? I believe they are in the pay of Turbot and Eckert. Their taking

pictures was only a bluff! They got on my trail and stuck to it. The delays we had, gave them a chance to

catch up to us. They came over to the airship, to pretend to borrow films, just to get a look at the place, and

"I believe you're right," declared Mr. Nestor. "We must get after those scoundrels as quickly as possible!"

"Bless my shoulder braces!" cried Mr. Damon. "How do you imagine they worked that trick on us?"

"Easily enough," was Mr. Nestor's opinion. "We were all dead tired last night, and slept like tops. They

watched their chance, sneaked up, and got in. After that it was no hard matter to chloroform each one of us in

turn, and they had the ship to themselves. They looked around, found the camera, and made off with it."

"Well, I'm going to get right after them!" cried Tom. "Ned, start the motor. I'll steer for a while."

"Hold on! Wait a minute," suggested Mr. Nestor. "I wouldn't go off in the ship just yet,~ Tom."

"Because you don't know which way to go. We must find out which trail the Englishmen took. They have

African porters with them, and those porters doubtless know some of the blacks around here. We must

inquire of the natives which way the porters went, in carrying the goods of our rivals, for those Englishmen

"That's so," admitted the young inventor. "That will be the best plan. Once I find which way they have gone I

can easily overtake them in the airship. And when I find 'em" Tom paused significantly.

"They will probably figure it out that you will take after them," said Mr. Nestor, "but they may not count on

you doing it in the Flyer, and so they may not try to hide. It isn't going to be an easy matter to pick a small

"Well, I've done more difficult things in my airships," spoke our hero. "I'll fly low, and use the glass. I guess

we can pick out their crowd of porters, though they won't have many. Oh, my camera! I hope they won't

"They won't," was Ned's opinion. "It's too valuable. They want it to take pictures with, themselves."

"Maybe. I hope they don't open it, and see how it's made. And I'm glad I thought to hide the picture films I've

taken so far. They didn't get those away from us, only some of the blank. ones," and Tom looked again in a

secret closet. where he kept the battlefilms, and the others, in the dark, to prevent them from being

"Well, if we're going to make some inquiries, let's do it," suggested Mr. Nestor. "I think I see some of the

Africans over there. They have made a temporary camp, it seems, to attend to some of their wounded."

"Do you think we can make them understand what we want?" asked Ned. "I don't believe they speak

"Oh these blacks have been trading with white men," said Tom, "for they have 'trader's' guns, built to look at,

and not to shoot very well. I fancy we can make ourselves understood. If not, we can use signs."

Leaving Koku and Mr. Damon to guard the airship, Tom, Ned and Mr. Nestor went to the African camp.

There was a large party of men there, and they seemed friendly enough. Probably winning the battle the day

To Tom's delight he found one native who could speak a little English, and of him they made inquiries as to

what direction the Englishmen had taken. The black talked for a while among his fellows, and then reported

to our friends that, late in the night, one of the porters, hired by Montgomery and Kenneth, had come to camp

to bid a brother goodbye. This porter had said that his masters were in a hurry to get away, and had started

"That's it!" cried Mr. Nestor. "They're going to get somewhere so they can make their way to the coast. They

They hurried back to the airship, finding Koku and Mr. Damon peacefully engaged in talk, no one having

Up into the air went the Flyer, her great propellers revolving rapidly. Over the jungle she shot, and then,

when he found that everything was working well, and that the cleaned gas generator was operating as good as

when it was new, the young inventor slowed up, and brought the craft down to a lower level.

"For we don't want to run past these fellows, or shoot over their heads in our hurry," Tom explained. "Ned,

get out the binoculars. They're easier to handle than the telescope. Then go up forward, and keep a sharp

lookout. There is something like a jungle trail below us, and it looks to be the only one around here. They

probably took that." Soon after leaving the place where they had camped after the battle, Tom had seen a rude

On sped the Flyer, after the two Englishmen, while Tom thought regretfully of his stolen camera.

"Well, Tom, I don't seem to see anything of them," remarked Ned that afternoon, as he sat in the bow of the

"No, and I can't understand it, either," responded the young inventor, who had come forward to relieve his

chum. "They didn't have much the start of us, and they'll have to travel very slowly. It isn't as if they could

hop on a train; and, even if they did, I could overtake them in a short time. But they have to travel on foot

'~The trail isn't wide enough for that," declared Tom. "We've come quite a distance now, even if we have

been running at low speed, and we haven't seen even a black man on the trail," and he motioned to the rude

"They may have taken a boat and slipped down that river we crossed a little while ago," suggested Ned.

"That's so!" cried Tom. "Why didn't I think of it? Say! I'm going to turn back."

"Yes, and go up and down the stream a way. We have time, for we can easily run at top speed on the return

trip. Then, if we don't see anything of them on the water, we'll pick up the trail again. Put her around, Ned,

The Flyer was soon shooting back over the same trail our friends had covered, and, as Ned set the propellers

going at top speed, they were quickly hovering over a broad but shallow river, which cut through the jungle.

"Try it down stream first," suggested Tom, who was peering through the binoculars. "They'd be most likely to

"There's a boat!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Nestor, pointing to a native canoe below them.

"No, there are only natives in that craft," answered the young inventor a moment later, as he brought the

A few more miles were covered down stream, and then Tom tried the opposite direction. But all to no

purpose. A number of boats were seen, and several rafts, but they had no white men on them.

"I could see everything in the boats, through these powerful glasses," he replied, "and there was nothing like

my camera. "I'd know that a mile off. No, they didn't take to this stream, though they probably crossed it.

We'll have to keep on the way we were going. It will soon be night, and we'll have to camp. Then we'll take

It was just getting dusk, and Tom was looking about for a good place to land in the jungle, when Ned, who

"I say, Tom, here's a native village just ahead. There's a good place to stop, and we can stay there over night."

"Good!" exclaimed Tom. "And, what's more, we can make some inquiries as to whether or not the

Englishmen have passed here. This is great! Maybe we'll come out all right, after all! They can't travel at

nightor at least I don't believe they willand if they have passed this village we can catch them

They were now over the native town, which was in a natural clearing in the jungle. The natives had by this

time caught sight of the big airship over them, and were running about in terror. There was not a man, woman

or child in sight when the Flyer came down, for the inhabitants had all fled in fright.

"Oh, they'll come back," predicted Tom. "They are naturally curious, and when they see that the thing isn't

going to blow up, they'll gather around. I've seen the same thing happen before."

Tom proved a true prophet. In a little while some of the men began straggling back, when they saw our

friends walking about the airship, as it rested on the ground. Then came the children, and then the women,

until the whole population was gathered about the airship, staring at it wonderingly. Tom made signs of

friendship, and was lucky enough to find a native who knew a few French words. Tom was not much of a

"Oui!" exclaimed the native, when he understood. Then he rattled off something, which Tom, after having it

repeated, and making signs to the man to make sure he understood, said meant that the Englishmen had

"We're on the right trail!" cried the young inventor. "They're only a day's travel ahead of us. We'll catch them

The natives soon lost all fear of the airship, and some of the chief men even consented to come aboard. Tom

gave them a few trifles for presents, and won their friendship to such an extent that a great feast was hastily

gotten up in honor of the travelers. Big fires were lighted, and fowls by the score were roasted.

"Say, I'm glad we struck this place!" exclaimed Ned, as he sat on the ground with the others, eating roast

"Things are coming our way at last," remarked Tom. "We'll start the first thing in the morning. I wish I had

my camera now. I'd take a picture of this scene. Dad would enjoy it, and so would Mrs. Baggert. Oh, I almost

wish I was home again. But if I get my camera I've got a lot more work ahead of me."

"I don't know. I'm to stop in Paris for the next instructions from Mr. Period. He is keeping in touch with the

big happenings of the world, and he may send us to Japan, to get some earthquake pictures."

The night was quiet after the feast, and in the morning Tom and his friends sailed off in their airship, leaving

behind the wondering and pleased natives, for our hero handed out more presents, of small value to him, but

Once more they were flying over the trail, and they put on more speed now, for they were fairly sure that the

men they sought were ahead of them about a day's travel. This meant perhaps twenty miles, and Tom figured

that he could cover fifteen in a hurry, and then go over the remaining five slowly, so as not to miss his quarry.

"Say, don't you smell something?" asked Ned a little later, when the airship had been slowed down.

"Humph! I believe I do get an odor of something burning," admitted Tom, sniffing the atmosphere.

"Bless my pocket book!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, "look down there, boys!" He pointed below, and, to the

surprise of the lads, and no less of himself, he saw many animals hurrying back along the jungle trail.

There were scores of deer, leaping along, here and there a tawny lion, and one or two tigers. Off to one side a

rhinoceros crashed his way through the tangle, and occasionally an elephant was seen.

"That's queer," cried Ned. "And they're not paying any attention to each other, either."

"Something is happening," was Mr. Nestor's opinion. "Those animals are running away from something."

But he did not finish. The smell of smoke suddenly became stronger, and, a moment later, as the airship rose

higher, in response to a change in the angle of the deflecting rudder, which Ned shifted, all on board saw a

"A jungle fire!" cried Tom. "The jungle is burning! That's why the animals are running back this way."

"We'd better not go on!" shouted Ned, choking a bit, as the smoke rolled nearer.

"No, we've got to turn back!" decided Tom. "Say, this will stop the Englishmen! They can't go on. We'll go

back to the village we left, and wait for them. They're trapped!" And then he added soberly: "I hope my

"Look at that smoke!" yelled Ned, as he sent the airship about in a great circle on the backward trail.

"And there's plenty of blaze, too," added Tom. "See the flames eating away! This stuff is as dry as tinder for

"Much hot!" was the comment of the giant, when he felt the warm wind of the fire.

"Bless my fountain pen!" gasped Mr. Damon, as he looked down into the jungle. "See all those animals!"

The trail was now thick with deer, and many small beasts, the names of which Tom did not know. On either

side could be heard larger brutes, crashing their way forward to escape the fire behind them.

"Oh, if you only had your camera now!" cried Ned. "You could get a wonderful picture, Tom."

"Maybe they're using it!" interrupted Ned. "No, I don't think they would know how to work it. Do you see

"Not a sight. But they'll surely have to come back, just as you said, unless they got ahead of the fire. They

can't go on, and it would be madness to get off the trail in a jungle like this."

"I don't believe they could have gotten ahead of the fire," spoke Tom. "They couldn't travel fast enough for

They were now higher up, well out of the heat and smoke of the conflagration, and they could see that it

extended for many miles along the trail, and for a mile or so on either side of it.

"We're far enough in advance, now, to go down a bit, I guess," said Tom, a little later. "I want to get a good

Tom did not finish, for as the airship approached nearer the ground, he caught up a pair of binoculars, and

"It's them! The Englishmen!" cried Tom. "See, they are racing back along the trail. Their porters have

deserted them. But they have my camera! I can see it! I'm going down, and get it! Ned, stand by the wheel,

Tom handed the glasses to his chum, and Ned quickly verified the young inventor's statement. There were the

two rascally Englishmen. The fire was still some distance in the rear, but was coming on rapidly. There were

no animals to be seen, for they had probably gone off on a side trail, or had slunk deeper into the jungle.

Above the distant roar of the blaze sounded the throb of the airship's motor. The Englishmen heard it, and

"That's what I'm going to do," he said aloud, but of course they could not hear him.

"They're waiting for us!" cried Ned. "I wonder why?" for the rascals had come to a halt, setting down the

packs they carried on the trail. One of the things they had was undoubtedly Tom's camera.

"They probably want us to save their lives," said Tom. "They know they can't outrun this fire. They've given

"Of course. I wouldn't let my worst enemy run the chances of danger in that terrible blaze. I'd save them even

if they had smashed my camera. I'll go down, and get them, and take them back to the native village, but

that's as far as I will carry them. They'll have to get away as best they can, after that."

It was the work of but a few minutes to lower the airship to the trail. Fortunately it widened a bit at this point,

"Hand up that camera!" ordered our hero curtly, when he had stopped near the Englishmen.

"Yes, my dear chap," spoke the tall Britisher, "but will you oblige us, by taking us"

"Get aboard," was all Tom said, and when the rascals, with fearful glances back into the burning jungle, did

"Don't 'dear chap' me!" retorted Tom. "I don't want to talk to you. I'm going to drop you at the native village."

"The wind is changing," was our hero's answer. "The fire won't get to the village. You'll be safe. Have you

damaged my camera?" he asked as he began to examine it, while Ned managed the ship.

"No, my dear chap. You mustn't think too hard of us. We were both down on our luck, and a chap offered us

a big sum to get on your trail, and secure the camera. He said you had filched it from him, and that he had a

"Don't talk to me!" interrupted Tom, as he saw that his apparatus had not been damaged. "The man who hired

you was a rascalthat's all I'll say. Put on a little more speed, Ned. I want to get rid of these 'dear chaps' and

As Tom had said, the wind had changed, and was blowing the flames away off to one side, so that the native

village would be in no danger. It was soon reached, and the Africans were surprised to see Tom's airship back

again. But he did not stay long, descending only to let the Englishmen alight. They pleaded to be taken to the

coast, making all sorts of promises, and stating that, had they known that Turbot and Eckert (for whom they

admitted they had acted) were not telling the truth, they never would have taken Tom's camera.

"I wouldn't have you on board my airship another minute for a fortune!" declared Tom, as he signalled to Ned

to start the motor. Then the Flyer ascended on high, leaving the plotters and started back for the fire, of which

A week later our friends were in Paris, having made a quick trip, on which little of incident occurred, though

"Great Scott!" cried our hero. "Talk about hairraising jobs, this certainly is the limit!"

"I've got to get some moving pictures of a volcano in action," was the answer. "Say, if I'd known what sort of

things 'Spotty' wanted, I'd never have consented to take this trip. A volcano in action, and maybe an

"And you've got to snapshot a volcano?" remarked Ned to his chum, after a moment of surprised silence.

"Any particular one? Is it Vesuvius? If it is we haven't far to go. But how does Mr. Period know that it's

"No, it isn't Vesuvius," replied Tom. "We've got to take another long trip, and we'll have to go by steamer

again. The message says that the Arequipa volcano, near the city of the same name, in Peru, has started to

'erupt,' and, according to rumor, it's acting as it did many years ago, just before a big upheaval."

"Bless my Pumice stones!" cried Mr. Damon. "And are you expected to get pictures of it shooting out flames

"Of course. An inactive volcano wouldn't make much of a moving picture. Well, if we go to Peru, we won't

be far from the United States, and we can fly back home in the airship. But we've got to take the Flyer apart,

"Will you have time?" asked Mr. Nestor. "Maybe the volcano will get into action before you arrive, and the

"I think not," spoke Tom, as he again read the cablegram. "Mr. Period says he has advices from Peru to the

effect that, on other occasions, it took about a month from the time smoke was first seen coming from the

crater, before the fireworks started up. I guess we've got time enough, but we won't waste any."

"And I guess Montgomery and Kenneth won't be there to make trouble for us," put in Ned. "It will be some

They began work that day on taking the airship apart for transportation to the steamer that was to carry them

across the ocean. Tom decided on going to Panama, to get a series of pictures on the work of digging that vast

canal. On inquiry he learned that a steamer was soon to sail for Colon, so he took passage for his friends and

It was rather hard work to take the Flyer apart, but it was finally done, and, in about a week from the time of

arriving in Paris, they left that beautiful city. The pictures already taken were forwarded to Mr. Period, with a

letter of explanation of Tom's adventures thus far, and an account of how his rivals had acted.

Just before sailing, Tom received another message from his strange employer. The cablegram read:

"Understand our rivals are also going to try for volcano pictures. Can't find out who will represent Turbot and

"That's what I will!" cried Tom. "If they get my camera away from me again, it will be my own fault."

The voyage to Colon was not specially interesting. They ran into a terrific storm, about half way over, and

Tom took some pictures from the steamer's bridge, the captain allowing him to do so, but warning him to be

"I'll take Koku up there with me," said the young inventor, "and if a wave tries to wash me overboard he'll

And it was a good thing that he took this precaution, for, while a wave did not get as high as the bridge, one

big, green roller smashed over the bow of the vessel, staggering her so that Tom was tossed against the rail.

He would have been seriously hurt, and his camera might have been broken, but for the quickness of the

Koku caught his master, camera and all, in a mighty arm, and with the other clung to a stanchion, holding

"Thanks, Koku!" gasped Tom. "You always seem to be around when I need you." The giant grinned happily.

The storm blew out in a few days, and, from then on, there was pleasant sailing. When Tom's airship had

been reassembled at Colon, it created quite a sensation among the small army of canal workers, and, for their

He then took some of the engineers on a little trip, and in turn, they did him the favor of letting him get

"And now for the volcano!" cried Tom one morning, when having shipped to Mr. Period the canal pictures,

the Flyer was sent aloft, and her nose pointed toward Arequipa. "We've got quite a run before us."

"About two thousand miles. But I'm going to speed her up to the limit." Tom was as good as his word, and

soon the Flyer was shooting along at her best rate, reeling off mile after mile, just below the clouds.

It was a wild and desolate region over which the travelers found themselves most of the time, though the

scenery was magnificent. They sailed over Quito, that city on the equator, and, a little later, they passed

above the Cotopaxi and Chimbarazo volcanoes. But neither of them was in action. The Andes Mountains, as

you all know, has many volcanoes scattered along the range. Lima was the next large city, and there Tom

made a descent to inquire about the burning mountain he was shortly to photograph.

"It will soon be in action," the United States counsel said. "I had a letter from a correspondent near there only

yesterday, and he said the people in the town were getting anxious. They are fearing a shower of burning

"Good!" cried Tom. "Oh, I don't mean it exactly that way," he hastened to add, as he saw the counsel looking

queerly at him. "I meant that I could get pictures of both earthquake and volcano then. I don't wish the poor

"Well, you're the first one I ever saw who was anxious to get next door to a volcano," remarked the counsel.

"Hold on, though, that's not quite right. I heard yesterday that a couple of young fellows passed through here

on their way to the same place. Come to think of it, they were moving picture men, also."

"Great Scott!" cried Tom. "Those must be my rivals, I'll wager. I must get right on the job. Thanks for the

information," and hurrying front the office he joined his friends on the airship. and was soon aloft again.

"Look, Tom, what's that?" cried Ned, about noon the next day when the Flyer, according to their calculations

must be nearing the city of Arequipa. "See that black cloud over there. I hope it isn't a tornado, or a cyclone,

Tom, and the others, looked to where Ned pointed. There was a column of dense smoke hovering in the air,

"Why that" began Tom, but before he could complete the sentence the smoke was blown violently upward.

It became streaked with fire, and, a moment later, there was the echo of a tremendous explosion.

"The volcano!" cried Tom. "The Arequipa volcano! We're here just in time, for she's in eruption now! Come

on, Ned, help me get out the camera! Mr. Damon, you and Mr. Nestor manage the airship! Put us as close as

"Bless my toothpick!" gasped Mr. Damon. "This is awful!" And the airship rushed on toward the volcano

"Whew!" gasped Ned, as he stood beside Tom in the bow of the airship. "What's that choking us, Tom?"

"Sulphur, I guess, and gases from the volcano. The wind blew 'em over this way. They're not dangerous, as

long as there is no carbonic acid gas given off, and I don't smell any of that, yet. Say, Ned, it's erupting all

"Put us a little to one side, Mr. Damon," called Tom to his friend, who was in the pilot house. "I can't get

"Bless my bath robe!" cried the odd man. "You're as cool about it, Tom, as though you were just in an

"And why shouldn't I be?" asked our hero with a laugh, as he stopped the mechanism of the camera until he

should have a clearer view of the volcano. "There's not much danger up here, but I want to get some views

They were now hovering over the volcano, but high enough up so that none of the great stones that were

being thrown out could reach them. The column of black smoke, amid which could be seen the gleams of the

molten fires in the crater, rolled toward them, and the smell of sulphur became stronger.

But when, in accordance with Tom's suggestion, the airship had been sent over to one side, they were clear of

the vapor and the noxious gas. Then, too, a better view could be had of the volcano below them.

"Hold her down!" cried Tom, as he got in a good position, and the propellers were slowed down so that they

just overcame the influence of a slight wind. Thus the Flyer hovered in the air, while below her the volcano

belched forth redhot rocks, some of them immense in size, and quantities of hot ashes and cinders. Tom had

the camera going again now, and there was every prospect of getting a startling and wonderful, as well as rare

"Wow! That was a big one!" cried Ned, as an unusually large mass of rocks was thrown out, and the column

of fire and smoke ascended nearly to the hovering craft. A moment later came an explosion, louder than any

"Bless my overshoes!" gasped Mr. Damon, as he heard Tom say that. Then he sent some of the vapor from

Ned looked in the direction of the town, but could not see it, on account of the haze. Then he directed his

"It's a good thing it isn't very near the city," he said to Tom, who was engaged in watching the automatic

apparatus of the camera, to see when he would have to put in a fresh film. "It wouldn't take much of this sort

of thing to destroy a big city. But I don't see any streams of burning lava, such as they always say come out of

"It isn't time for that yet," replied Tom. "The lava comes out last, after the top layer of stones and ashes have

been blown out. They are a sort of stopper to the volcano, I guess, like the cork of a bottle, and, when they're

out of the way, the redhot melted rock comes out. Then there's trouble. I want to get pictures of that."

"Well, keep far enough away," advised Mr. Nestor, who had come forward. "Don't take any chances. I guess

your rivals won't get here in time to take any pictures, for they can't travel as fast as we did."

"No," agreed the young inventor, "unless some other party of them were here ahead of us. They'll have their

"There goes another blast!" cried Ned, as a terrific explosion sounded, and a shower of hot stuff was thrown

"There isn't much danger I guess, except from showers of burning ashes, and volcanic dust," spoke Mr.

Nestor, "and the wind is blowing it away from the town. If it continues this way the people will be saved."

"Unless there is so much of the redhot lava that it will bury the city," suggested Tom. "I hope that doesn't

happen," and he could not repress a shudder as he looked down on the awful scene below him.

After that last explosion the volcano appeared to subside somewhat, though great clouds of smoke and

"I've got to put in a new reel of film!" suddenly exclaimed Tom. "While I stop the camera, Mr. Damon, I

think you and Mr. Nestor might put the airship down to the ground. I want some views on the level."

"What! Go down to earth with this awful volcano spouting fire?" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my comb and

"We can get well down the side of the mountain," said Tom. "I won't go into any danger, much less ask any

one else to do so, and I certainly don't want my ship damaged. We can land down there," he said, pointing to

a spot on the side of the volcanic mountain, that was some distance removed from the mouth of the crater. It

The two men finally gave in to Tom's argument, that there was comparatively little danger, for they admitted

that they could quickly rise up at the first sign of danger, and accordingly the Flyer descended. Tom quickly

had a fresh reel of film inserted, and started his camera to working, standing it on a tripod some distance from

Once more the volcano was "doing its prettiest," as Tom expressed it. He glanced around, as another big

explosion took place, to see if any other picture men were on hand, but the terrible mountain seemed

"What's that?" suddenly cried Ned, looking apprehensively at his chum. At the same time Tom jumped to his

"Bless my" began Mr. Damon, but he got no farther, for suddenly the solid ground began to tremble and

"An earthquake!" shouted Mr. Nestor. "Come, Tom! Get back to the ship!" The young inventor and Ned had

As Tom and Ned leaped forward to save the camera which was toppling to one side, there came a great

fissure in the side of the volcano, and a stream of molten rock, glowing white with heat, gushed out. It was a

"Run! Run!" cried Mr. Nestor. "We have everything ready for a quick flight. "Run, Tom! Ned!"

The lads leaped for the Flyer, the molten rock coming nearer and nearer, and then with a cry Koku sprang

"Here, Mr. Tom. Me carry you an' Ned. You hold picture machine!" cried the giant. "Me run faster."

As he spoke he lifted Ned up under one arm, and caught Tom in the other. For they were but as children to

his immense strength. Tom held on to his camera, and, thus laden down, Koku ran as he had never run before,

"Come on! Come on!" shouted Mr. Damon, for he could see what Tom, Ned and Koku could not, that the

There came a sickening shake of the earth. Koku staggered as he ran on, but he kept his feet, and did not fall.

Again came a tremendous explosion, and a shower of fine ashes sifted over the airship, and on Koku and his

"This is the worst ever!" gasped Tom. "But I've got some dandy pictures, if we ever get away from here alive

"Hurry, Koku! Hurry!" begged Mr. Nestor. "Bless my shoe laces!" yelled Mr. Damon, who was fairly

jumping up and down on the deck of the Flyer. "I'll never go near a volcano again!"

Once more the ground shook and trembled, as the earthquake rent it. Several cracks appeared in Koku's path,

but he leaped over them with tremendous energy. A moment later he had thrust Tom and Ned over the rail, to

"Let her go!" cried Tom. "I'll do the rest of my moving picture work, around volcanoes and earthquakes, from

The Flyer shot upward, and scarcely a moment too soon, for, an instant after she left the ground, the stream of

hot, burning and bubbling lava rolled beneath her, and those on board could feel the heat of it ascending.

"Say, I'm glad we got out of that when we did," gasped Ned, as he looked down. "You're all right, Koku."

"That no trouble," replied the giant with a cheerful grin. "Me carry four fellows like you," and he stretched

out his big arms. Tom had at once set his camera to working again, taking view after view.

It was a terrifying but magnificent sight that our friends beheld, for the earth was trembling and heaving.

Great fissures opened in many places. Into some of them streams of lava poured, for now the volcano had

opened in several places, and from each crack the melted rocks belched out. The crater, however, was not

sending into the air such volumes of smoke and ashes as before, as most of the tremendous energy had

The earthquake was confined to the region right about the volcano, or there might have been a great loss of

Tom continued to take views, some showing the earth as it was twisted and torn, and other different aspects

of the crater. Then, as suddenly as the earthquake had begun, it subsided, and the volcano was less active.

"My! I'm glad to see that!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I've had about enough of horrors!"

"And I have too," added Tom. "I'm on my last roll of film, and I can't take many more pictures. But I guess I

have all Mr. Period needs, and we'll start for home, as soon as I finish the next roll. But I'm going to save that

The volcano became active again after dark, and presented a magnificent though terrifying aspect. As the

airship hovered above it, Tom got some of his best pictures, and then, as the last bit of film slipped along

"Plenty," agreed Mr. Nestor. "I'm sure our company will be very well satisfied with them, Tom. We can't get

"And we didn't see anything of those other fellows whom we heard about," spoke Mr. Damon, as the big

They made another stop in Lima, on their homeward trip, to renew their supply of gasolene, and there learned

that the rival picture men had arrived at the volcano too late to see it in operation. This news came to a

"Then our views of the earthquake and the smoking mountain will be the only ones, and your company can

In due time, and without anything out of the ordinary happening the Flyer reached Shopton, where Tom

found a warm welcome awaiting him, not only from his father, but from a certain young lady, whose name I

"And so you got everything you went after, didn't you, Tom," exclaimed Mr. Period, a few days later, when

"Yes! Yes! I know!" interrupted the odd picture man. "It was that jungle fire. That's a magnificent series.

"No, but I'm sure they were acting for them just the same. I had no legal evidence to act on, however, so I had

to let it go. Turbot and Eckert won't be in it when I start selling duplicates of the films you have. And these

last ought to be the best of all. I didn't catch that fellow when I raced after him on the dock. He got away, and

"I'm glad of it," spoke Mr. Period. "Turbot and Eckert bribed one of my men, and so found out where I was

sending messages to you. They even got a copy of my cablegram. But it did them no good."

"Every one. Couldn't be better. The animal views were particularly fine. You must have had your nerve with

"Well, how soon will you be ready to start out again?" asked the picture man, as he packed up the last of the

films which Tom gave him. "I'd like to get some views of a Japanese earthquake, and we haven't any polar

"What! You don't mean to say you won't get them for me?" cried Mr. Period. "With that wonderful camera of

"Then some one else will have to take them," remarked the young inventor. "I'll lend you the camera, and an

airship, and you can go yourself, Mr. Period. I'm going to stay home for a while. I did what I set out to do,

"I'm glad you'll stay home, Tom," said his father. "Now perhaps I'll get my gyroscope finished."

"And I, my noiseless airship," went on our hero. "No, Mr. Period, you'll have to excuse me this time. Why

don't you go yourself?" he asked. "You would know just what kind of pictures you wanted."

"No, I'm a promoter of the moving picture business, and I sell films, but I don't know hew to take them," was

the answer. "Besides Ierwell, I don't exactly care for airships, Tom Swift," he finished with a laugh.

"Well, I can't thank you enough for what you did for me, and I've brought you a check to cover your

expenses, and pay you as I agreed. All the same I'm sorry you won't start for Japan, or the North Pole."

"Have you any idea what you will do next?" asked Ned, a day or so later, when he and Tom were in the

"I can't tell until I finish my noiseless airship," was the answer. "Then something may happen."

Something did, as I shall have the pleasure of telling you about in the next volume of this series, to be called,

"Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight; or, On the Border for Uncle Sam," and in it will be given an account

"Oh, Tom, weren't you dreadfully frightened when you saw that burning river of lava coming toward you?"

asked Mary Nestor, when the young inventor called on her later and told her some of his adventures. "I

"Well, I didn't have time to get scared," answered Tom. "It all happened so quickly, and then, too I was

"But those wild beasts! Didn't they frighten you, especially when the rhinoceros charged you?"

"If you won't let it get out, I'll make a confession to you," said Tom, lowering his voice. "I was scared stiff

"I won't," promised Mary with a laugh. And now, when Tom is in such pleasant company, we will take leave

of him for a while, knowing that. sooner or later, he will be seeking new adventures as exciting as those of