Tom Swift and His Air Scout; Or, Uncle Sam's Mastery of the Sky

er. Certainly not many youths of Tom's age would be sought out by a big manufacturing concern, and offered ten thousand

le, "you mean you wo

," answe

. "Oh, I see. Mr. Gale, a word with you. Excus

for a moment, and then, with smiles on their fa

are not hide-bound, nor sticklers for any set sum. We'll make that offer fifteen thousand dollars a year, if you will sign a five-year contract and agree that we shall have first claim on anything and everything you may paten

ile; "but, really, as I said before, I can't accept your ve

accept!" cr

mean 'won't'?" asked M

bit coolly, for he did not like the other's tone, "

e, the president of the Universal Flying Machine

n't be hasty. We are prepared to make you a last and

ll like the two visitors. There was something about them that aroused his antagonism, and he said later that even if they had offered him a sum whic

ked at his treasurer for a confirmatory nod and, receiving it, went on. "We are prepared to offer and pay you, and will enter into such a contract, with th

le unctuously, rolling the words off his tongue.

hank you for your offer. It is, indeed, very generous.

aimed his a

exclaimed the

and shook

. "But I simply cannot accept. I have other plans. I am sorry you have had y

final answer?"

es

't be hasty. Remember that very few young men can command that salary, and I may

ed Tom. "Time to myself. No, thank

his voice. "This is our last offer, and your last chance. We will not renew this.

om, "and I am prepared t

r. Ware, but to go back to New York. I bid you good-day," and he bowed

yself," said

Swift turned toward his son,

siness best, Tom. Yet I cannot b

th an idea I have in mind for an improvement on an airship. And your new electric

Swift, slowly. "This big war has made many changes, and things t

Newton over any moment now, to give us the annual statement of our account, and then we'll know where we stand.

on. But there is something about those two men I do not like. They were very angry at your refusal of their offer. I could see that. Tom, I don't want to be a cro

rd, is the spice of trade and invention," ret

think it would have been better, Tom, to have accepted thei

ly a little while ago. Forget about those men, Dad, and I'll tell you

ile ago. He went out whe

the side of the library, the sound

n Eradicate Sampson. "Whut fo' yo' all want to clutter up dish yeah place fo'? Mas

e you put me, black face!" cried a

I told Rad to do anything that Koku would be jealous. Well, I'll have to

eave the room another voi

both to work in. Rad, you begin at the lower end and spade toward the middle. Koku,

wuk as is spade wuk!" cried the colore

he it was who was trying to act as peace

ut he's clumsy!" chuckled Erad

uck in mud!" challeng

o disputants beginning to spade the soil while Mr. Damon, satisfied tha

such a hurry and leave you, but I had promised to take Mary for a ride, a

Damon genially. "Ladies first every time. But I do w

Tom, for the manner of the e

In fact, it may be the other way about. Tom, I have an i

lump while you're at it. So you have a new idea! Well, I have

ive you a rough outline. On my way over I got to thinking about balloons, aeroplan

ore appropriate, but we won't decide on that now. Anyhow, it's going to be a whizzer, and I want to talk to

wood from the garden, out of sight of which Tom and Mr. Dam

s he ran toward the side of the hou