TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
OR
Thrilling Adventures While Taking Moving Pictures
BY
VICTOR APPLETON
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I A STRANGE OFFER
II A MAN IN THE SNOW BANK
III TOM MAKES UP HIS MIND
IV HELD FAST
V TOM GETS A WARNING
VI TRYING THE CAMERA
VII WHAT THE CAMERA CAUGHT
VIII PHOTOS FROM THE AIRSHIP
IX OFF FOR INDIA
X UNEXPECTED EXCITEMENT
XI AN ELEPHANT STAMPEDE
XII THE LION FIGHT
XIII A SHOT IN TIME
XIV IN A GREAT GALE
XV SNAPPING AN AVALANCHE
XVI TELEGRAPH ORDERS
XVII SUSPICIOUS STRANGERS
XVIII THE NATIVE BATTLE
XIX A HEAVY LOSS
XX AFTER THE ENGLISHMEN
XXI THE JUNGLE FIRE
XXII A DANGEROUS COMMISSION
XXIII AT THE VOLCANO
XXIV THE MOLTEN RIM
XXV THE EARTHQUAKE - CONCLUSION
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
CHAPTER I - A STRANGE OFFER
"Some one to see you, Mr. Tom."
It was Koku, or August, as he was sometimes called, the new
giant servant of Tom Swift, who made this announcement to the
young inventor.
"Who is it, Koku?" inquired Tom, looking up from his work-bench
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 Koku had come to call Mr. Damon, an
eccentric friend of Tom's.
"No, not him. A strange man. I never see before. He say he got
quick business."
"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. "Important business; eh, Koku?
Did he send in his card?"
"No, Mr. Tom. Him say he have no card. You not know him, but he
very much what you call - recited."
"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 a sort of personal helper and
bodyguard.
"Yes, Mr. Tom; what is it?"
"Don't let him go poking around the shop. He might look at some
of my machines that I haven't got fully patented yet. Is he in
the front office?"
"That's where him am. He be lookin' at pictures on the walls."
"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 ready to
see him. I'll ring the bell when I am."
"All right, Mr. Tom."
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 shop.
"Sure not!" exclaimed Koku, very earnestly.
"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 him."
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 accident.
"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 blows - well, 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 Koku exclaim:
"Hold on! Wait! I go first. You wait!"
"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 fingers of yours!"
This was evidently the visitor remonstrating with the giant.
"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 delay. I want to see Mr. Swift
at once; and have a talk with him."
"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, wearing a flaming
red tie, but otherwise his clothes were not remarkable.
"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,
but came to the conclusion that he had not.
"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 he nodded toward Koku.
"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 diamond-making affair. All of 'em
great. I - "
"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 to-day, 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
that."
He looked about, as though for a seat, and Tom, apologizing for
his neglect in offering one, shoved a box forward.
"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 Period - promoter of all kinds of
amusement enterprises, from a merry-go-'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 he sat on the box
near Tom.
"Well?" returned Tom.
"This is something entirely new. It has never been done before,
though if you should happen to be able to get a picture of giants
don't miss the opportunity."
"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 dynamite - I'm on hand; or some of my men.
If there's a fire I get there as soon as the engines do - if it's
a big one. Always on the spot - that's me - James Period - Spotty
for short. Do you get me?" and he drew a long breath and looked
at Tom, his head on one side.
"I understand that you are - "
"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 world - not 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.
Advertising scheme - get me?"
"Yes," replied Tom, as he recalled that he had seen some of the
films in question, and good ones they were too. "I see your
point, but - "
"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 one - worked by electricity - a
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, India - the jungles - get pictures of wild animals at peace
and fighting - herds of elephants - get scenes of native wars -
earthquakes - eruptions of volcanoes - all the newest and most
wonderful pictures you can. You'll have to make a new kind of
camera to do it. The kind we use won't do the trick.
"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?"
"I hardly think - " began Tom.
"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 minutes - no more,' and hastily getting up
off the box Mr. Period began impatiently pacing up and down the
shop.
CHAPTER II - A MAN IN THE SNOW BANK
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 himself - Mr. Period - was 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 as if to note when the five minutes had passed.
"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 -
well - I 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 him - about his hasty way of talking, about his
manner of interrupting, about the way he proposed matters. Tom
was interested in spite of himself.
"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 keeping a careful eye on Mr.
Period.
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 introduced.
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 immediate members of the household.
Tom had a chum, Ned Newton, who used to work in a bank, and
there was a girl, Mary Nestor, a daughter of Amos Nestor, in
which young lady Tom was much interested.
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
Motor-Cycle," 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 became acquainted with the odd man.
Tom had many adventures on his motor-cycle, and, later on he
secured a motor-boat, 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 the valuables, and made a large sum for himself.
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 and His Wireless
Message," I told how he saved these people.
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 wrecked.
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 rescue some missionaries from the red
pygmies.
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 invented - an air-glider -
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 means of their airship that they
made their daring escape.
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 well-equipped 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 noiseless motor that he had not had time to even see
his friends.
"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 subject, and then I might not be able to get it
to work right.
"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 trip. No, I can't go. I'll tell him
he'll have to find some one else."
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 Johnny-on-the-spot all right, and have it ready for you. Now
when do you think you can start?"
He sat down at a bench, and began filling out a check.
"Hold on!" cried Tom, amused in spite of himself. "Don't sign
that check, Mr. Period. I'm not going."
"Not going?" The man's face showed blank amazement.
"No," went on Tom. "I can't spare the time. I'm sorry, but
you'll have to get some one else."
"Some one else? But who can I get?"
"Why, there are plenty who would be glad of the chance."
"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 above expenses."
"No, I'm sorry, but I can't go. My work here keeps me too busy.
"Oh, pshaw! Now, look here, Tom Swift! Do you know who sent me
to see you?"
"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
you go on this trip."
Tom was somewhat surprised, yet he realized that Mr. Period was
speaking the truth. Mr. Nestor was identified with many new
enterprises. Yet the youth was firm.
"I really can't go," said our hero. "I'd like to, but I can't.
I'd like to oblige Mr. Nestor, for - well, 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 you hear that? You've
go to go?"
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 hero.
"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, and - oh, well, I know you
don't need the money, exactly, but - say, 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 above the floor.
With one fling the giant tossed the short, stout gentleman out
into a snow bank, while Tom looked on, too surprised to do
anything, even if he had had the chance.
"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.
CHAPTER III - TOM MAKES UP HIS MIND
"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 picture of? What happened?"
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 well-meaning, 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. What in the world is the matter with him?"
"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
garments. "Koku, you must beg the pardon of this gentleman," Tom
directed.
"What for?" the giant wanted to know.
"For throwing him into the snow. It is not allowed to do such
things in this country, even though it is in Giant Land. Beg his
pardon.
"I shall not," said the giant calmly, for Tom had taught him to
speak fairly good English, though sometimes he got his words
backwards.
"The man was about to kill you, and I stopped him - I will stop
him once more, though if he does not like the snow, I can throw
him somewhere else."
"No! No! You must not do it!" cried Tom. "He meant no harm. He
is my friend."
"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," insisted Tom.
"Very well. I am glad you did not hurt yourself," said the
giant, and with that "apology" he stalked out of the room, his
feelings evidently very much disturbed.
"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 of red silk
around Mr. Period's collar.
"I am very particular about my neckties," went on the picture
man. "I always wear one color. My friends never forget me then."
Tom wondered how they could ever forget him, even though he
wore no tie, for his figure and face were such as to not easily
be forgotten.
"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 sensation. Say you will!"
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, especially if he perfected his silent motor.
"Will you go?" asked Mr. Period, picking up his fountain pen
and check book, that he had laid aside when he walked over to
Tom, just before the giant grasped him. "Say you will."
The young inventor was silent a moment. He thought over the
many adventures he had gone through - in the caves of ice, in the
city of gold, escaping from the giants, and the red pygmies - He
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. Surely e was entitled to a little rest at
home.
And yet there was a lure to it all. A certain fascination that
was hard to resist. Mr. Period must have seen what was going on
in Tom's mind, for he said:
"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 this thing than
from any of your other inventions. Come, say you'll do it.
"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 of people will read your name at the picture
shows every night."
"I am not looking for advertisements," said Tom, with a laugh.
"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 showing them these
wonderful scenes."
"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 notion to go down when I was doing
the photographing," he added.
"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 work on the camera."
Tom was silent a moment. Then he said:
"Well, I admit that there is something attractive about it. I
hoped I was going to stay home. for a long time. But - "
"Then you'll go!" cried Mr. Period eagerly. "Here's the money,"
and he quickly filled out a check for Tom's first expenses,
holding the slip of paper toward the young inventor.
"Wait a minute! Hold on!" cried Tom. "Not so fast if you
please. I haven't yet made up my mind."
"But you will; won't you?" asked Mr. Period.
"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 to-morrow
night. How's that? Fair, isn't it?"
"Yes - I think so. I am afraid - "
"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, and Koku will
behave him self. I am sorry - "
"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, our hero
concluded that his visitor had gotten safely away.
"Well, what am I going to do about it?" mused Tom, as he
resumed work on his silent motor. He had not been long engaged in
readjusting some of the valves, when he was again interrupted.
This time it was his chum, Ned Newton, who entered, and, as Ned
was well known to the giant, nothing happened.
"Well, what's up, Tom?" asked Ned.
"Why, did you notice anything unusual?" asked Tom.
"I saw Koku standing at the gate a while ago, looking down the
road at a short stout man, with a red tie. Your giant seemed
rather excited about something."
"Oh, yes. I'll tell you about it," and Tom related the details
of Mr. Period's visit.
"Are you going to take his offer?" asked Ned.
"I've got until tomorrow to make up my mind. What would you do,
Ned?"
"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 camera - catch on - you're
Swift, and you make a swift camera; see the point?"
"I do," confessed Tom, with a laugh. "Well, Ned, I've been
thinking it over, but I can't decide right away. I will tomorrow
night, though."
"Then I'm coming over, and hear what it is. If you decide to
go, maybe you'll take me along."
"I certainly will, and Mr. Damon, too."
"How about the giant?"
"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, talking over various
matters.
"Well, Tom, have you made up your mind?" asked the caller, when
Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, had shown him into the room. "I
hope you have, and I hope it is favorable to me."
"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 window - a garden now buried deep
under snow.
"What's that?" cried Ned, jumping to his feet.
"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 increased in volume.
CHAPTER IV - HELD FAST
"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 Ned.
"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 policemen."
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 shrubbery.
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.
"See anything?" asked Ned, as he joined his chum on the
balcony.
"No, but I'm going to have a closer look. Here goes!" and Tom
leaped to the ground.
"I'm with you," added Ned, as he followed.
Then came another voice, shouting:
"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 totteringly around the corner of the house.
"Did ye cotch him, Massa Tom?" asked Eradicate. "Did ye cotch
de raskil?"
"Not yet, Rad. But Koku is after him. Who was he, and what did
he do?"
"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 a-sittin' 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 were patented.
"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?"
"Only jes' had a glimpse ob his back."
"Well, you go back to the house and tell father and Mr. Period
about it. Ned and I will go on with Koku. I hope to get the
fellow."
"Why, Tom?" asked his chum.
"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 man awaiting him.
"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."
Pantingly they ran on, and, a little later, they met the big
man coming back.
"Did he get away?" asked Tom.
"Yes, Mr. Tom, he scaped me all right."
"Escaped you mean, Koku. Well, never mind. You did your best."
"I would like to have hold of him," spoke the giant, as he
stretched out his big arms.
"Did you know who he was?" inquired Ned.
"No, I couldn't see his face," and he gave the same description
of the affair as had Eradicate.
"Was it a full grown man, or some one about my size?" Tom
wanted to know.
"A man," replied the giant.
"Why do you ask that?" inquired Ned, as the big fellow went on
to resume his talk with Eradicate, and the two chums turned to go
into the house, after the fruitless chase.
"Because, I thought it might be Andy Foger," was Tom's reply.
"It would be just like him, but if it was a man, it couldn't be
him. Andy's rather short."
"Besides, he doesn't live here any more," said Ned.
"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."
"And so he got away?" remarked Mr. Swift, when Tom had
completed his story.
"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 chances."
"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 answer to my offer?"
"Well," spoke the lad slowly, and with a smile, "I think I
will - "
"Now don't say 'no'"; interrupted the picture man. "If you are
going to say 'no' take five minutes more, or even ten, and think
it over carefully. I want you - "