: Tom Swift and his great oil gusher by Appleton Victor -

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TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER

"A GRAND day for a spin in the air, Ned," remarked Tom Swift, as he stretched his arms and looked through the window of his office. "What do you say? Come along and let the wind blow some of the cobwebs out of your brain."

"Get thee behind me, Satan," replied Ned Newton, the young financial manager of the Swift Construction Company. "I've got a heap of work yet to do in checking up this last monthly statement."

"That'll keep," said Tom. "You'll find the figures waiting patiently for you when you get back. I know you're well ahead of your work, anyway, and a whirl in the circumambient will do you good. You see, I'm only thinking of you."

It was an attractive little craft, and Tom patted it lovingly as he went over every strut of the plane to see that it was in perfect condition. Long experience in flying had taught him to take nothing for granted. But there was nothing, even to his critical eye, that was lacking, and the same was true of the engine, which purred smoothly as it broke into its rhythmical song.

"Listen to that!" Tom cried enthusiastically to Ned, who by this time had rejoined him. "Isn't she humming sweetly? Never misses a note. No grand opera prima donna has anything on her!"

"She sure sounds good," agreed Ned, as he climbed into his seat and adjusted his straps.

With one last look that took in everything, Tom followed him and started the plane. The take-off was perfect. She ran along the ground for a little distance and then soared into the air like a bird. Tom let her climb, feeling out the air currents, until they were at a height of about eight hundred feet. Then he put her on a level keel and settled back in his seat to enjoy his ride to the full. At that moment he would not have exchanged places with any one on earth.

It was one of the perfect days that come in the late spring. There was scarcely a cloud in the sky. The sun was warm but not oppressive, and was tempered by a light and refreshing breeze. Below stretched a vast panorama of hill and valley and woodland, the trees and meadows luxuriant with their new coat of green. At the moment they were above Lake Carlopa, and they could see its waters gleaming like a mirror of crystal beneath the rays of the sun.

"Some scenery!" exclaimed Tom jubilantly.

"Where we found the treasure but nearly lost our lives," replied Tom, his face growing a little sober with the recollection. "Phew! it makes me shiver just to think of it. We've been in some pretty tight places, Ned, but that was the closest squeak of all."

"I wouldn't care to repeat it, for a fact," said Ned. "But I've no doubt that you'll be going into something just as dangerous before long. You're a glutton for danger. I'll bet you're just pining for some other adventure."

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