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

Chapter 17Mr. <strong>Swift</strong> is W<strong>or</strong>seAlmost bef<strong>or</strong>e the echoes of Eradicate’s direful warning cry had died away, <strong>Tom</strong>was on his way out of the house, pausing only long enough to slip on a pairof shoes <strong>and</strong> his trousers. <strong>The</strong>re was but one thought in his mind. If he couldget the Humming-Bird safely out he would not care if the shed did burn, eventhough it contained many valuable tools <strong>and</strong> appliances.“We must save my new aeroplane!” thought <strong>Tom</strong>, desperately. “I’ve got tosave her!”As he raced through the hall he caught up a p<strong>or</strong>table chemical fire-extinguisher.<strong>Tom</strong> saw his father’s do<strong>or</strong> open, <strong>and</strong> Mr. <strong>Swift</strong> looked out.“What is it?” he called anxiously.“Fire!” answered the young invent<strong>or</strong>, almost bef<strong>or</strong>e he thought of the doct<strong>or</strong>’swarning that Mr. <strong>Swift</strong> must not be excited. <strong>Tom</strong> wished he could recallthe w<strong>or</strong>d, but it was too late. Besides Eradicate, down in the yard was shoutingat the top of his voice:“Fire! Fire! Fire!”“Where, <strong>Tom</strong>?” gasped Mr. <strong>Swift</strong>, <strong>and</strong> his son thought the aged invent<strong>or</strong>grew suddenly paler.“Aeroplane shed,” answered the lad. “But don’t w<strong>or</strong>ry dad. It’s only a smallblaze. We’ll get it out. You stay here. We’ll attend to it—Mr. Jackson <strong>and</strong>Eradicate <strong>and</strong> I.”“No—I’m going to help!” exclaimed Mr. <strong>Swift</strong>, sturdily. “I’ll be with you,<strong>Tom</strong>. Go on!”<strong>The</strong> lad rushed down to the yard, closely followed by the engineer, whohad caught up another extinguisher. Eradicate was rushing about, not knowingwhat to do, but still keeping up his shouting.“It’s on de roof! De roof am all blazin’!” he yelled.“Quit your noise, <strong>and</strong> get to w<strong>or</strong>k!” cried <strong>Tom</strong>. “Get out a ladder, Rad, <strong>and</strong>raise it to the side of the shed. <strong>The</strong>n play this extinguisher on the blaze. Mr.Jackson, you help me run the Humming-Bird out. After she’s safe we’ll tacklethe fire.”77