nt out into the yard near his laboratory to
start a blaze on which his new mixture could be tested.

He had not got far from the laboratory door when he felt a sudden jar
and a rush of air, and then followed the dull boom of an explosion.
Like an echo came the voice of Eradicate:

"Oh, Massa Tom, I'se blowed up! It done sploded right in mah face!"

CHAPTER VI

TOM IS WORRIED

Dropping what he had in his hands, Tom Swift raced back to the
laboratory where he had left Eradicate to mix the chemicals. Again the
despairing, frightened cry of the colored man rang out.

"I hope nothing serious has happened," was the thought that flashed
through Tom's mind. "But I'm afraid it has. I should have mixed those
new chemicals myself."

Koku, the giant, who was at work in another part of the shop yard,
heard Rad's cry and came running up. As there was always more or less
jealousy between Eradicate and Koku, the latter now thought he had a
chance to crow over his rival, not, of course, understanding what had
happened.

"Ho! Ho!" laughed Koku. "You much better hab me work, Master Tom. I no
make blunderstakes like dat black fellow! I never no make him!"

"I don't know whether Rad has made a mistake or not," murmured Tom.
"Come along, Koku, we may need your help. There has been an explosion."

"Yep, dat Rad he don't as know any more as to blow up de whole place!"
chuckled Koku.

He thought he would have a chance to make fun of Eradicate, but neither
he nor Tom realized how serious had been the happening. As the young
inventor reached the laboratory, which he had left but a few seconds
before, he saw the interior almost in ruins. All about were scattered
various pieces of apparatus, test tubes, alembics, retorts, flasks, and
an electric furnace.

But what gave Tom more concern than anything else was the sight of
Eradicate lying in the midst of broken glass on the floor. The colored
man was moaning and held his hands over his face, and the young
inventor could see that the hands, which had labored so hard and
faithfully in his service, were cut and bleeding.

"Rad! Rad! what has happened?" cried Tom quickly.

"It sploded! It done sploded right in mah face!" moaned Eradicate.
"I--I can't see no mo', Massa Tom! I can't see to help yo' nevah no
mo'!"

"Don't worry about that, Rad!" cried Tom, as cheerfully as possible
under the circumstances. "We'll soon have you fixed up! Come in here,
Koku, and help me carry Ra