s of buried cities, great
grinning idols of gold, and rival professors seeking to be first at the
goal.

The next few days were busy ones for Tom, Ned and, in fact, the whole
Swift household. Tom and his father had several consultations and
conducted several experiments in regard to the new stabilizer, the
completion of which was so earnestly desired. Mr. Swift was sure he
could carry the invention to a successful conclusion.

Ned was engaged in putting the financial affairs of the Swift Company
in shape, so they would practically run themselves during his absence.
Then, too, there was the packing of their baggage which must be seen to.

Of course, the main details of the trip were left to Professor Bumper,
who knew just what to do. He had told Tom and Ned that all they and
Mr. Damon would have to do would be to meet him at the pier in New
York, where they would find all arrangements made.

One day, near the end of the week (the beginning of the next being set
for the start) Eradicate came shuffling into the room where Tom was
sorting out the possessions he desired to take with him, Ned assisting
him in the task.

"Well, Rad, what is it?" asked Tom, with businesslike energy.

"I done heah, Massa Tom, dat yo' all's gwine off on a long trip once
mo'. Am dat so?"

"Yes, that's so, Rad."

"Well, den, I'se come to ast yo' whut I'd bettah take wif me. Shall I
took warm clothes or cool clothes?"

"Well, if you were going, Rad," answered Tom with a smile, "you'd need
cool clothes, for we're going to a sort of jungle-land. But I'm sorry
to say you're not going this trip."

"I---- I ain't gwine? Does yo' mean dat yo' all ain't gwine to take
me, Massa Tom?"

"That's it, Rad. It isn't any trip for you."

"In certain not!" broke in the voice of Koku, the giant, who entered
with a big trunk Tom had sent him for. "Master want strong man like a
bull. He take Koku!"

"Look heah!" spluttered Eradicate, and his eyes flashed. "Yo'--yo'
giant yo'--yo' may be strong laik a bull, but ya' ain't got as much
sense as mah mule, Boomerang! Massa Tom don't want no sich pusson wif
him. He's gwine to take me."

"He take me!" cried Koku, and his voice was a roar while he beat on his
mighty chest with his huge fists.

Tom, seeing that the dispute was likely to be bothersome, winked at Ned
and began to speak.

"I don't believe you'd like it there, Rad--not where we're going. It's
a bad country. Why the mosquitoes ther