nly sit still! Don't jump!"

Mary, her red cheeks white, sank back, and the young inventor redoubled
his efforts at the controls and other mechanisms.

And that Tom was perfectly qualified to make a safe landing, even with
engine trouble, Mary Nestor well knew. Those of you who have read the
previous books of this series know it also, but, for the benefit of my
new readers, I shall state that this was by no means Tom's first ride
in an aeroplane.

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
"City of 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