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

<strong>The</strong>re was a wireless station at Eagle Park, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tom</strong> had planned to receivethe messages from home there until he could set up his own plant. He wouldhave two outfits. One in the big tent where the Humming-Bird was to be puttogether, <strong>and</strong> another on the machine itself, so that when in the air, practicing,<strong>or</strong> even in the great race itself, there would be no break in the news that wasto be flashed through space.<strong>Tom</strong> <strong>and</strong> Mr. Damon arrived at Eagle Park on time, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tom</strong>’s first inquirywas f<strong>or</strong> a message from home. <strong>The</strong>re was one, Stating that Mr. <strong>Swift</strong> was fairlycomf<strong>or</strong>table, <strong>and</strong> seemed to be doing well. With happiness in his heart, theyoung invent<strong>or</strong> then set about getting the parts of his craft from the station tothe park, where he <strong>and</strong> Mr. Damon, with a trusty machinist whom Mr. Sharphad recommended, would assemble it. <strong>Tom</strong> arranged that in his absence thewireless operat<strong>or</strong> on the grounds would take any message that came f<strong>or</strong> him.<strong>The</strong> Humming-Bird, in the big cases <strong>and</strong> boxes, had safely arrived, <strong>and</strong> thesewere soon in the tent which had been assigned to <strong>Tom</strong>. It was still several daysuntil the opening of the meet, <strong>and</strong> the grounds presented a scene of confusion.W<strong>or</strong>kmen were putting up gr<strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>s, tents <strong>and</strong> sheds were being erected,exhibit<strong>or</strong>s were getting their machines in shape, <strong>and</strong> excited contestants of manynationalities were hurrying to <strong>and</strong> fro, inquiring about parts delayed in shipment,<strong>or</strong> w<strong>or</strong>rying lest some of their pet ideas be stolen.<strong>Tom</strong> <strong>and</strong> Mr. Damon, with Frank F<strong>or</strong>ker, the young machinist, were soonbusy in their big tent, which was a combined w<strong>or</strong>kshop <strong>and</strong> living quarters, f<strong>or</strong><strong>Tom</strong> had determined to stay right on the ground until the big race was over.“I don’t see anything of Andy Foger,” remarked Mr. Damon, on the secondday of their residence in the park. “<strong>The</strong>re are lots of new entries arriving, buthe doesn’t seem to be on h<strong>and</strong>.”“<strong>The</strong>re’s time enough,” replied <strong>Tom</strong>. “I am afraid he’s hanging back untilthe last minute, <strong>and</strong> will spring his machine so late that I won’t have time tolodge a protest. It would be just like him.”“Well, I’ll be on the lookout f<strong>or</strong> him. Have you heard from home to-day,<strong>Tom</strong>?”“No. I’m expecting a message any minute.” <strong>The</strong> young invent<strong>or</strong> glancedtoward the wireless apparatus which had been set up in the tent. At that momentthere came the peculiar sound which indicated a message coming throughspace, <strong>and</strong> down the receiving wires. “<strong>The</strong>re’s something now!” exclaimed <strong>Tom</strong>,as he hurried over <strong>and</strong> clamped the telephone receiver to his ear. He listened amoment.“Good news!” he exclaimed. “Dad sat up a little to-day! I guess he’s goingto get well!” <strong>and</strong> he clicked back congratulations to his father <strong>and</strong> the othersin Shopton.Another day saw the Humming-Bird almost in shape again, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tom</strong> waspreparing f<strong>or</strong> a tryout of the engine.Mr. Damon had gone over to the committee headquarters to consult withMr. Sharp about the steps necessary f<strong>or</strong> <strong>Tom</strong> to take in case Andy did attemptto enter a craft that infringed on the ideas of the young invent<strong>or</strong>, <strong>and</strong> on his97