He had operated and built gasoline engines ever since he was about sixteen years old.As related in the initial volume of this series, entitled, "Tom Swift and His Motorcycle," he became possessed of this machine after it had started to climb a tree with Mr.Damon on board.After that experience the eccentric man --blessing everything he could think of--had no liking for the speedy motorcycle and sold it to Tom at a low price.
That was the beginning of a friendship between the two, and also started Tom on his career as an inventor and a possessor of many gasoline craft.For he was not content with merely riding the repaired motorcycle.He made improvements on it.
Tom lived with his father in the town of Shopton, their home being looked after, since the death of Mrs.Swift, by Mrs.Baggert.Mr.Wakefield Damon lived in the neighboring town of Waterfield, and spent much time at Tom's home, often going on trips with him in various vehicles of the land, sea or air.
As related in the various volumes of this series, Tom was not content to remain on earth.He built a speedy motor boat, and then secured an airship, following that with a submarine.He also made an electric runabout that was the speediest car on the road.Sending wireless messages, having thrilling experiences among the diamond makers, journeying to the caves of ice, and making perilous trips in his sky racer took up part of the young inventor's time.
With his electric rifle he did some wonderful shooting, and in the "Cityof Gold" made some strange discoveries, part of the fortune he secured enabling him to build his sky racer.It was in a land of giants that Tom was made captive, but he succeeded in escaping, and brought two giants, of whom Koku was one, away with him.
Following this achievement Tom invented a wizard camera and a great searchlight, which, with his giant cannon, was purchased by the United States Government.Work on his photo-telephone and his aerial warship, the problem of digging a big tunnel, and then traveling to the land of wonders, kept Tom Swift very busy, and he had just completed a wonderful piece of work when the present story opens.
This last achievement was the perfecting of a machine to aid in the great World War and you will find the details set down in the volume which immediately precedes this."Tom Swift and His War Tank," it is called, and in that is related how he not only invented a marvelous machine, but succeeded in keeping its secret from the plotters who tried to take it from him.In this Tom was helped by the inspiration of Mary Nestor, whom he hoped some day to marry, and by Ned Newton, a chum, who, though no inventor himself, could admire one.
Ned and Tom had been chums a long while, but Ned inclined more to financial and office matters than to machinery.At times he had managed affairs for Tom, and helped him finance projects.Ned was now an important bank official, and since the United States had entered the war had had charge of some Red Cross work, as well as Liberty Bond campaigns.
Somehow, as she sat there in the craft which seemed disabled, Mary Nestor could not help thinking of Tom's many activities, in some of which she had shared.
"Oh, if he falls now, and is killed!" she thought."Oh, what will happen to us?""It's all right, Mary! Don't worry! It's all right!" cried Tom, through the speaking tube.
"What's that? I can't hear you very well !" she called back.
"No wonder, with the racket this motor is making," he answered."Why can't something be done so you can talk in an aeroplane as well asin a balloon? That's an idea! If I could tell you what was the matter now you wouldn't be a bit frightened, for it isn't anything.But, as it is--""What are you saying, Tom? I can't hear you!" cried Mary, still much frightened.
"I say it's all right--don't get scared.And don't jump!" Tom shouted until his ears buzzed."It's all nonsense--having a motor making so much noise one can't talk!" he went on, irritatedly.
A strange idea had come to the young inventor, but there was no time to think of it now.Mentally he registered a vow to take up this idea and work on it as soon as possible.But, just now, the aeroplane needed all his attention.
As he had told Mary, there was really nothing approaching any great danger.But it was rather an anxious moment.If Tom had been alone he would have thought little of it, but with Mary along he felt a double responsibility.
What had happened was that the craft had suddenly gone into an "air pocket" or partial vacuum, and there had been a sudden fall and a slide slip.In trying to stop this too quickly Tom had broken one of his controls, and he was busily engaged in putting an auxiliary one in place and trying to reassure Mary at the same time.
"But it's mighty hard trying to do that through a speaking tube with a motor making a noise like a boiler factory," mused the young inventor.Tom worked quickly and to good purpose.In a few moments, though to Mary they seemed like hours, the machine was again gliding along on a level keel, and Tom breathed more easily.
"And now for my great idea!" he told himself.
But it was some time before he could give his attention to that.
