第14章

Turning the Tables

When the young inventor informed his father what he had overheard Mr.Berg saying, the aged inventor was not as much worried as his son anticipated.

"All we'll have to do, Tom," he said, "is to keep quiet about where we are going.Once we have the Advance afloat, and try her out, we can start on our voyage for the South American Coast and search for the sunken treasure.When we begin our voyage under water I defy any one to tell where we are going, or what our plans are.No, I don't believe we need worry about Mr.Berg, though he probably means mischief.""Well, I'm going to keep my eyes open for him and Andy Foger," declared Tom.

The days that followed were filled with work.Not only were there many unexpected things to do about the submarine, but Mr.Sharp was kept busy making inquiries about the sunken treasure ship.These inquiries had to he made carefully, as the adventurers did not want their plans talked of, and nothing circulates more quickly than rumors of an expedition after treasure of any kind.

"What about the old sea captain you were going to get to go with us?" asked Mr.Swift of the balloonist one afternoon."Have you succeeded in finding one yet?""Yes; I am in communication with a man think will be just the person for us.His name is Captain Alden Weston, and he has sailed all over the world.He has also taken part in more than one revolution, and, in fact, is a soldier of fortune.I do not know him personally, but a friend of mine knows him, and says he will serve us faithfully.I have written to him, and he will he here in a few days.""That's good.Now about the location of the wreck itself.Have you been able to learn any more details?""Well, not many.You see, the Boldero was abandoned in a storm, and the captain did not take very careful observations.As nearly as it can befigured out the treasure ship went to the bottom in latitude forty-five degrees south, and longitude twenty-seven east from Washington.That's a pretty indefinite location, but I hope, once we get off the Uruguay coast, we can better it.We can anchor or lay outside the harbor, and in the small boat we carry go ashore and possibly gain more details.For it was at Montevideo that the shipwrecked passengers and sailors landed.""Does Captain Weston know our object?" inquired Tom.

"No, and I don't propose to tell him until we are ready to start," replied Mr.Sharp."I don't know just how he'll consider a submarine trip after treasure, but if I spring it on him suddenly he's less likely to back out.Oh, I think he'll go."Somewhat unexpectedly the next day it was discovered that certain tools and appliances were needed for the submarine, and they had been left in the house at Shopton, where Eradicate Sampson was in charge as caretaker during the absence of Mr.Swift and his son and the housekeeper."Well, I suppose we'll have to go back after them," remarked Tom."We'll take the airship, dad, and make a two- days' trip of it.Is thereanything else you want?"

"Well, you might bring a bundle of papers you'll find in the lower right hand drawer of my desk.They contain some memoranda I need."Tom and Mr.Sharp had become so used to traveling in the airship that it seemed no novelty to them, though they attracted much attention wherever they went.They soon had the Red Cloud in readiness for a flight, and rising in the air above the shop that contained the powerful submarine, a craft utterly different in type from the aeroplane, the nose of the airship was pointed toward Shopton.

They made a good flight and landed near the big shed where the bird of the air was kept.It was early evening when they got to the Swift homestead, and Eradicate Sampson was glad to see them.

Eradicate was a good cook, and soon had a meal ready for the travelers.Then, while Mr.Sharp selected the tools and other things needed, and put them in the airship ready for the start back the next morning, Tom concluded he would take a stroll into Shopton, to see if he could see his friend, Ned Newton.It was early evening, and the close of a beautiful day,a sharp shower in the morning having cooled the air.

Tom was greeted by a number of acquaintances as he strolled along, for, since the episode of the bank robbery, when he had so unexpectedly returned with the thieves and the cash, the lad was better known than ever."I guess Ned must be home" thought our hero as he looked in vain forhis chum among the throng on the streets."I've got time to take a stroll down to his house."Tom was about to cross the street when he was startled by the sound of an automobile horn loudly blown just at his side.Then a voice called:

"Hey, there! Git out of the way if you don't want to be run over!"He looked up, and saw a car careening along.At the wheel was the red-haired bully, Andy Foger, and in the tonneau were Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey.

"Git out of the way," added Sam, and he grinned maliciously at Tom.

The latter stepped back, well out of the path of the car, which was not moving very fast.Just in front of Tom was a puddle of muddy water.There was no necessity for Andy steering into it, but he saw his opportunity, and a moment later one of the big pneumatic tires had plunged into the dirty fluid, spattering it all over Tom, some even going as high as his face.

"Ha! ha!" laughed Andy."Maybe you'll get out of my way next time, Tom Swift."The young inventor was almost speechless from righteous anger.He wiped the mud from his face, glanced down at his clothes, which were all but ruined, and called out:

"Hold on there, Andy Foger! I want to see you!" for he thought of the time when Andy had shut him in the tank.

"Ta! ta!" shouted Pete Bailey."See you later," added Sam.