VICTORY
TOM WAS as near despair as he ever permitted himself to be. It looked as
though the well was doomed. Even though it was capped, he knew that if
it became the center of those devouring flames the steel would melt and
the fire come in contact with the oil. And this meant a catastrophe so
appalling that none could foresee the consequences.
But it was not in his nature to quit, and he cudgeled his brain
desperately to find some way of averting the calamity. Suddenly a
thought came to him like an inspiration.
“Come along, Ned. You too, Koku,” he shouted. “Mr. Damon, you keep the
men working.” And without waiting for an answer the young inventor
started on a run for the _Winged Arrow_.
Ned and Koku were close on his heels when he reached the giant plane.
Fortunately, it was always kept in readiness for instant flight.
“Jump in!” he shouted to his companions, setting the example.
He started the engine and the plane soared into the air and turned its
nose toward Copperhead.
“Ned,” he said, “those fire bombs of ours! We shipped a lot of them to
Southern cities. Which is the nearest town that has some? Think quickly,
old boy.”
Ned caught on to Tom’s idea instantly.
“We sent a lot of them to Dallas,” he replied. “A big shipment went to
Wesson and Robbins of that place. No doubt they have some of them on
hand.”
“Good!” cried the young inventor. “There’s a flying field on the
outskirts of that town. I’ll let you down as near to Copperhead as
possible. You rush to the office and get Wesson and Robbins on the long
distance ’phone. Tell them to have a dozen of them at the flying field
when I get there. I won’t wait for you, but put right out for Dallas on
the chance. It’s nearly a hundred miles, but the _Winged Arrow_ will
make it in an hour. You hotfoot it back to the farm—get an auto or a
horse—and take charge there till I get back. Keep the fire down as much
as you can.”
“I’ll do it,” said Ned. “Great head, old boy. Good luck.”
In two minutes more they were close to Copperhead. Tom swooped down, let
Ned get out, and then with a whiz and a whirr rose and made for Dallas.
The fire bombs to which Tom referred were of his own invention and had
achieved such remarkable results that they had been adopted by fire
departments all over the United States. They contained chemicals of
which Tom held the secret that were of wonderful efficiency in
extinguishing fire. Tom had demonstrated their value on many occasions,
notably when he had saved a great office building in a city not far from
Shopton by dropping from an airplane the bombs containing the chemicals
directly on the apparently doomed building, as narrated in the volume of
this series entitled: “Tom Swift Among the Fire Fighters.”
Tom’s mind was a tumult of stormy thoughts. Would Wesson and Robbins
have the bombs? Would Ned be able to get his message through in time?
Even if these things went smoothly, would he get back before the flames
reached the well, making all his efforts go for naught?
But he did not let these thoughts take his mind off the plane. This was
vital. If the plane broke down, all hope would be gone.
So he urged and coaxed the plane along, pressing it to the utmost speed
he dared. This was a race—a race against fire—a race against time!
Before long he could see the towers and steeples of the city in the
distance. He neared it rapidly, straining his eyes to catch sight of the
flying field with its white signals for the guidance of airmen.
Yes, there it was, and luckily on this side of the city. He swooped down
and made his landing in close proximity to a loaded truck that he
guessed might contain the bombs.
As he jumped out and ran toward it, he saw with a thrill of exultation
the name of Wesson and Robbins on the truck. Ned had got the message
through. Good old Ned!
It was the work of only a few minutes with the aid of Koku and the two
burly truckmen to get the bombs transferred to the plane. And Tom
blessed his stars that he had brought the big plane South with him
instead of one of his smaller airships.
With a hurried word of thanks, Tom jumped into his seat and started on
his homeward journey. On the way he instructed Koku to hold himself in
readiness to drop the bombs when he should give the word.
In less than an hour, which seemed to him like an eternity, he had
passed Copperhead. He had been straining his ears for the sound of an
explosion and thanked heaven when it failed to come. But the angry glare
that grew more vivid as he approached told him that the fire demon was
still trying to get at its prey.
In another minute or two he was circling above the Goby farm. Beneath
him he could see men running for cover. He knew that Ned had seen him
coming, and had ordered the men to disperse so that they would escape
danger from the falling bombs.
He could see the flames eating their way ruthlessly toward the well, and
only a few yards away from it. He steadied the airplane as nearly above
the flames as possible. Koku was holding one of the bombs in readiness.
“Now!” cried Tom, and the giant dropped the bomb.
It fell about a hundred feet from the well, right in the midst of a
seething caldron of flame.
The effect was instantaneous. The fire died out in a twinkling. For a
wide area the red turned to black. Even the smoke disappeared and was
replaced by a cloud of vapor that was slowly dissipated.
They were too high to hear the cheers that rose from the fire-fighters
looking on, but Tom could see them waving their hats and hands and
jumping up and down like mad.
Koku held another bomb poised aloft, and again at a signal from Tom he
let it fall. It struck in a different place this time, but with the same
result. In the vicinity where it struck, the flames went out as though
some wizard had turned a switch and extinguished them.
Several times this was repeated until Tom saw that the flames had been
definitely conquered. Only little scattered patches were left, and these
could easily be put out by hand. The young inventor had won the fight!
Only when he was sure of this did he swoop down to his usual landing
place and get out, to be overwhelmed with cheers and handshakings and
thumpings by Ned and Mr. Damon and the host of grimy fire-fighters with
blackened hands and faces, all of them almost crazy with joy. What
little was left to do was quickly done, and before long every spark had
been extinguished. The well was saved!
It was a tired but happy group that sat in the living room of the Goby
farmhouse that night. Mr. Goby’s face was beaming. Mr. Damon was
blessing everything and everybody.
In the kitchen, Koku was boasting of his exploits and Rad was belittling
them, the only thing on which they agreed being that although there were
some great men in the world, there was none so great as “Marse Tom.”
Suddenly the door of the living room was flung open and a stalwart young
fellow rushed in.
Every one looked up, startled by the unceremonious irruption. Carol
sprang to her feet with a joyous cry, ran toward the newcomer, and threw
her arms about his neck.
“Oh, Father!” she cried, “it’s Hitt! It’s brother! He’s come back to
us!”
The blind man tried to rise, but fell back in his chair. The next
instant his son and daughter were beside him and he folded them in his
arms.
Tom rose, followed by Ned and Mr. Damon, and tiptoed into the adjoining
room, leaving the reunited family to themselves.
But they were called back before long, and Tom and Ned were overwhelmed
with thanks by Hitt Goby for the way they had rescued him from death.
“And he’s going to stay at home with us now for good,” announced Carol
happily.
Probably there was no happier home in Texas that night than the Goby
farmhouse. Carol was in the seventh heaven of delight, her father’s face
was radiant, Hitt Goby was joyous. The happiness of the others, while
perhaps not so rapturous, was not less real.
And Tom among the intervals of talk and laughter was thinking of—Mary.
He was counting the hours before he could be back with her and share
with her his triumphs.
But before that wished-for moment could be reached, there were many
things that imperatively claimed his attention. He had a fortune in his
well and in the other leases and purchases he had made in connection
with his associates. And there was another fortune, and perhaps a bigger
one, in that marvelous drill, whose achievements had so interested the
captains of finance that offers for the patent rights were beginning to
flow in on him from all directions. The first, and so far the best one,
was from the company represented by Mr. Blythe. Some of these things had
to be attended to by Tom personally and at once, but whatever was
possible he left to Ned and Mr. Damon to adjust.
He had put inquiries on foot to find out the source of the mysterious
fire, and one day was apprised by Judge Wilson that Hankinshaw had been
arrested. One of the confederates he had employed had been arrested for
another offense, and with the hope of getting a lighter sentence had
revealed the incendiary plot. Warrants were out also for Thompson and
Bragden, but those worthies had already put half a continent between
them and their pursuers and had not yet been apprehended. Hankinshaw,
however, was less lucky, and some time later was tried and sent to
prison for a five-year term.
“That’s one rascal that’s got his deserts,” remarked Tom.
“Not by a jugful!” exclaimed Ned. “He ought to have got twice as much.”
“Bless my lockstep!” snorted Mr. Damon. “They should have sent him up
for life.”
“Oh, well, who cares?” Tom summed it up. “The main thing is that he
didn’t get away with it. We won out. The whole thing’s been a great
adventure.”
The Goby family could not get over what Tom had done for them.
“You’re a friend worth having,” was the way Hitt Goby expressed himself.
“If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where I’d be to-day. Most likely in
the cemetery.”
“Oh, perhaps not as bad as that,” returned the young inventor modestly.
“And see what he has done for the whole family!” cried Carol, her eyes
sparkling. “Why, this oil is going to make Father rich.”
“It’s making us rich, too,” said Tom.
“But think of what might have happened if we had put ourselves in the
hands of those rascals,” came from Mr. Goby. “I tell you, Tom Swift, you
are one young man out of a million!”
“The best ever,” murmured Hitt. “I’ll bank on him every time.”
“So will I,” laughed Ned.
Tom could not stand all this praise, so he merely smiled and turned
away. Yet it pleased him greatly.
Other adventures are still in store for Tom Swift, but these must be
kept for another volume. For the present we will leave him with his
great success in making a wonderful improvement in oil-well machinery
and bringing in his Great Oil Gusher.
THE END
_This Isn’t All!_
Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have
made in this book?
Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures
and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the
same author?
On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book,
you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at
the same store where you got this book.
_Don’t throw away the Wrapper_
_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to
have. But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for
a complete catalog._
THE TOM SWIFT SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
=Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.=
=Every Volume Complete in Itself.=
Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a
bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most
interesting kind of reading.
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS
TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER
TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON
TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP
TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL
TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS
TOM SWIFT CIRCLING THE GLOBE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS TALKING PICTURES
TOM SWIFT AND HIS HOUSE ON WHEELS
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE DON STURDY SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
=Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by=
=WALTER S. ROGERS=
=Every Volume Complete in Itself.=
In company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other a noted
scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much useful
knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures.
DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY;
An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with wild animals
and crafty Arabs.
DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS;
Don’s uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest snakes to
be found in South America—to be delivered alive!
DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD;
A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley of Kings
in Egypt.
DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE;
A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship of the explorers.
DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES;
An absorbing tale of adventures among the volcanoes of Alaska.
DON STURDY IN THE PORT OF LOST SHIPS;
This story is just full of exciting and fearful experiences on the sea.
DON STURDY AMONG THE GORILLAS;
A thrilling story of adventure in darkest Africa. Don is carried over a
mighty waterfall into the heart of gorilla land.
DON STURDY CAPTURED BY HEAD HUNTERS;
Don and his party are wrecked in Borneo and have thrilling adventures
among the head hunters.
DON STURDY IN LION LAND;
Don and his uncles organize an expedition to capture some extra large
lions alive.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS
SERIES
By ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
(EDWARD STRATEMEYER)
=Beautiful Wrappers in Full Color=
[Illustration] [Illustration]
No stories for boys ever published have attained the tremendous
popularity of this famous series. Since the publication of the first
volume, The Rover Boys at School, some years ago, over three million
copies of these books have been sold. They are well written stories
dealing with the Rover boys in a great many different kinds of
activities and adventures. Each volume holds something of interest to
every adventure loving boy.
A complete list of titles is printed on the opposite page.
FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES
BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
(Edward Stratemeyer)
OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES.
=Uniform Style of Binding. Colored Wrappers.=
=Every Volume Complete in Itself.=
THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA
THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS
THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM
THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE
THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR
THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK
THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA
THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS
THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR
THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL
THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS
THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK
THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH
THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG BEAR LAKE
THE ROVER BOYS SHIPWRECKED
THE ROVER BOYS ON SUNSET TRAIL
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE RADIO BOYS SERIES
(Trademark Registered)
By ALLEN CHAPMAN
Author of the “Railroad Series,” Etc.
=Individual Colored Wrappers. Illustrated.=
=Every Volume Complete in Itself.=
A new series for boys giving full details of radio work, both in sending
and receiving—telling how small and large amateur sets can be made and
operated, and how some boys got a lot of fun and adventure out of what
they did. Each volume from first to last is so thoroughly fascinating,
so strictly up-to-date and accurate, we feel sure all lads will peruse
them with great delight.
Each volume has a Foreword by Jack Binns, the well-known radio expert.
THE RADIO BOYS’ FIRST WIRELESS
THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT
THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION
THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS
THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE
THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS
THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL
THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FLOOD FIGHTERS
THE RADIO BOYS ON SIGNAL ISLAND
THE RADIO BOYS IN GOLD VALLEY
THE RADIO BOYS AIDING THE SNOWBOUND
THE RADIO BOYS ON THE PACIFIC
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
THE RAILROAD SERIES
By ALLEN CHAPMAN
Author of the “Radio Boys,” Etc.
=Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated.=
=Every Volume Complete in Itself.=
In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great
American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance—railroad
wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a “wildcat”
locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on
board—but there is much more than this—the intense rivalry among
railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the
getting through “on time” in spite of all obstacles, and the
manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or
ruin.
RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE; or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man.
RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER; or, Clearing the Track.
RALPH ON THE ENGINE; or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.
RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS; or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young
Engineer.
RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER; or, The Mystery of the Pay Car.
RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN; or, The Young Railroader’s Most Daring Exploit.
RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER; or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley.
RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH; or, The Stolen Government Bonds.
RALPH ON THE MOUNTAIN DIVISION; or, Fighting Both Flames and Flood.
RALPH AND THE TRAIN WRECKERS; or, The Secret of the Blue Freight Cars.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS
By JAMES CODY FERRIS
=Individual Colored Wrappers and Illustrations by=
=WALTER S. ROGERS=
=Each Volume Complete in Itself.=
Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which
will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in
the great open spaces.
The Manley Boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the
owner of many thousands of heads of cattle. The lads know how to ride,
how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all
circumstances.
The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, on the job when
required but full of fun and daring—a bunch any reader will be
delighted to know.
THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH
THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON
THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER
THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL
THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP
THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP
THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER’S GAP
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
THE HARDY BOY’S SERIES
By FRANKLIN W. DIXON
=Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by=
=WALTER S. ROGERS=
=Every Volume Complete in Itself.=
THE HARDY BOYS are sons of a celebrated American detective, and during
vacations and their off time from school they help their father by
hunting down clues themselves.
THE TOWER TREASURE
A dying criminal confessed that his loot had been secreted “in the
tower.” It remained for the Hardy Boys to make an astonishing discovery
that cleared up the mystery.
THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF
The house had been vacant and was supposed to be haunted. Mr. Hardy
started to investigate—and disappeared! An odd tale, with plenty of
excitement.
THE SECRET OF THE OLD MILL
Counterfeit money was in circulation, and the limit was reached when
Mrs. Hardy took some from a stranger. A tale full of thrills.
THE MISSING CHUMS
Two of the Hardy Boys’ chums take a motor trip down the coast. They
disappear and are almost rescued by their friends when all are captured.
A thrilling story of adventure.
HUNTING FOR HIDDEN GOLD
Mr. Hardy is injured in tracing some stolen gold. A hunt by the boys
leads to an abandoned mine, and there things start to happen. A western
story all boys will enjoy.
THE SHORE ROAD MYSTERY
Automobiles were disappearing most mysteriously from the Shore Road. It
remained for the Hardy Boys to solve the mystery.
THE SECRET OF THE CAVES
When the boys reached the caves they came unexpectedly upon a queer old
hermit.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
THE
TED SCOTT FLYING STORIES
By FRANKLIN W. DIXON
=Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by=
=WALTER S. ROGERS=
=Every Volume Complete in Itself.=
No subject has so thoroughly caught the imagination of young America as
aviation. This series has been inspired by recent daring feats of the
air, and is dedicated to Lindbergh, Byrd, Chamberlain and other heroes
of the skies.
OVER THE OCEAN TO PARIS; OR, TED SCOTT’S DARING LONG-DISTANCE FLIGHT
RESCUED IN THE CLOUDS; OR, TED SCOTT, HERO OF THE AIR
OVER THE ROCKIES WITH THE AIR MAIL; OR, TED SCOTT LOST IN THE WILDERNESS
FIRST STOP HONOLULU; OR, TED SCOTT OVER THE PACIFIC
THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST FLYERS; OR, TED SCOTT OVER THE WEST INDIES
SOUTH OF THE RIO GRANDE; OR, TED SCOTT ON A SECRET MISSION
ACROSS THE PACIFIC; OR, TED SCOTT’S HOP TO AUSTRALIA
THE LONE EAGLE OF THE BORDER; OR, TED SCOTT AND THE DIAMOND SMUGGLERS
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
TRANSCRIBER NOTES
Misspelled words and printer errors have been corrected. Where multiple
spellings occur, majority use has been employed.
Punctuation has been maintained except where obvious printer errors
occur.