ccept a gift of
money, Mr. Swift. This is a straight business proposition."

"Not much straight business in hunting for a mine that's been lost for
over a century," replied the aged inventor, with a glance at Mr. Damon,
who was still at the window, watching for a glimpse of Tom on his
return trip in the air craft.

"If Tom would go, I'd trail along," said the odd man. "We haven't done
anything worth speaking of since he used his great searchlight to
detect the smugglers. But I don't believe he'll go. That mining
proposition sounds good."

"It is good!" cried Mr. Peterson, with fervor, hoping he had found a
new "prospect" in Mr. Damon.

"But not business-good," declared Mr. Swift, and for some time the
three argued the matter, Mr. Swift continuing to shake his head.

Suddenly into the room there ran an aged colored man, much excited.

"Fo' de land sakes!" he cried. "Somebody oughter go out an' help Massa
Tom!"

"Why, what's the matter, Eradicate?" asked Mr. Swift, leaping to his
feet, an example followed by the other two men. "What has happened to
my son?"

"I dunno, Massa Swift, but I looked up jest now, an' dere he be, in dat
air-contraption ob his'n he calls de Hummin' Burd. He's ketched up
fast on de balloon shed roof, an' dere he's hangin' wif sparks an'
flames a-shootin' outer de airship suffin' scandalous! It's jest
spittin' fire, dat's what it's a-doin', an' ef somebody don't do
suffin' fo' Massa Tom mighty quick, dere ain't gwin t' be any Massa
Tom; now dat's what I'se a-tellin' you!"

"Bless my shoe buttons!" gasped Mr. Damon. "Come on out, everybody!
We've got to help Tom!"

"Yes!" assented Mr. Swift. "Call someone on the telephone! Get a
doctor! Maybe he's shocked! Where's Koku, the giant? Maybe he can help!"

"Now doan't yo' go t' gittin' all excited-laik," objected Eradicate
Sampson, the aged colored man. "Remember yo' all has got a weak heart,
Massa Swift!"

"I know it; but I must save my son. Hurry!"

Mr. Swift ran from the room, followed by Mr. Damon and Mr. Peterson,
while Eradicate trailed after them as fast as his tottering limbs would
carry him, murmuring to himself.

"There he is!" cried Mr. Damon, as he caught sight of the young
inventor in his airship, in a position of peril. Truly it was as
Eradicate had said. Caught on the slope of the roof of his big balloon
shed, Tom Swift was in great danger.

From his airship there shot dazzling sparks, and streamers of green and
violet