Tom Swift and His Sky Racer or The Quickest Flight on ... - Fourmilab

“To-m<strong>or</strong>row, if I can get it tuned up enough,” replied <strong>Tom</strong>, “<strong>and</strong> I thinkI can. Yes, we’ll have the great test to-m<strong>or</strong>row, <strong>and</strong> then I’ll know whether Ireally have a chance f<strong>or</strong> that ten thous<strong>and</strong> dollars.”Never bef<strong>or</strong>e had <strong>Tom</strong> been so exacting in his requirements of his air craftas when, the next day, the Humming-Bird was wheeled out to the flight ground,<strong>and</strong> gotten ready f<strong>or</strong> the test. <strong>The</strong> young invent<strong>or</strong> went over every bolt, brace,stay, guy wire <strong>and</strong> upright. He examined every square inch of the wings, the tips,planes <strong>and</strong> rudders. <strong>The</strong> levers, the steering wheel, the automatic equilibriumattachments <strong>and</strong> the balancing weights were looked at again <strong>and</strong> again.As f<strong>or</strong> the engine, had it been a delicate watch, <strong>Tom</strong> could not have scrutinizedeach valve, wheel, cam <strong>and</strong> spur gear m<strong>or</strong>e carefully. <strong>The</strong>n the gasolinetank was filled, the magneto was looked after, the oil reservoirs were cleanedout <strong>and</strong> freshly filled, <strong>and</strong> finally the lad remarked:“Well, I guess I’m ready. Come along, Mr. Damon.”“Am I going with you in the test?”“Surely. I’ve been counting on you. If you’re to be with me in the race, youwant to get a sample of what we can do. Take your place. Mr. Jackson, are youready to time us?”“All ready, <strong>Tom</strong>.”“And, dad, do you feel well enough to check back Mr. Jackson’s results? Idon’t want any err<strong>or</strong>s.”“Oh, yes, <strong>Tom</strong>. I can do it.”“Very well, then. Now this is my plan. I’m going to mount upward on aneasy slant, <strong>and</strong> put her through a few stunts first, to warm up, <strong>and</strong> see thateverything is all right. <strong>The</strong>n, when I give the signal, by dropping this smallwhite ball, that means I’m ready f<strong>or</strong> you to start to time me. <strong>The</strong>n I’ll begin totry f<strong>or</strong> the rec<strong>or</strong>d. I’ll go about the course in a big ellipse, <strong>and</strong>—well, we’ll seewhat happens.”While Mr. Damon was in his seat the young invent<strong>or</strong> started the propeller,<strong>and</strong> noted the thrust developed. It was satisfact<strong>or</strong>y, as measured on the scale,<strong>and</strong> then <strong>Tom</strong> took his place.“Let her go!” he cried to Mr. Jackson <strong>and</strong> Eradicate, after he had listenedto the song of the mot<strong>or</strong> f<strong>or</strong> a moment. <strong>The</strong> Humming-Bird flew across thecourse, <strong>and</strong> a moment later mounted into the air.<strong>Tom</strong> quickly took her up to about two thous<strong>and</strong> feet, <strong>and</strong> there, finding theconditions to his liking, he began a few evolutions designed to severely test thecraft’s stability, <strong>and</strong> to learn whether the engine was w<strong>or</strong>king properly.“How about it?” asked Mr. Damon anxiously.“All right!” shouted <strong>Tom</strong> in his ear, f<strong>or</strong> the mot<strong>or</strong> was making a great racket.“I guess we’ll make the trial next time we come around. Get ready to drop thesignal ball.”<strong>Tom</strong> slowly brought the aeroplane around in a graceful curve. He sighteddown, <strong>and</strong> saw the first tall white pole that marked the beginning of the course.“Drop!” he called to Mr. Damon.<strong>The</strong> white rubber ball went to the earth like a shot. Mr. Jackson <strong>and</strong> Mr.<strong>Swift</strong> saw it, <strong>and</strong> started their timing-watches. <strong>Tom</strong> opened the throttle <strong>and</strong>67