I'd like to examine that machine,
though."
The queer aeroplane was now shooting off in the darkness and Tom
followed it with the glasses, wondering what its construction could be
like. He was to have another sight of it sooner than he expected.
"Well, we may as well get back to bed," said Mr. Jackson. "I'm tired,
and we've got lots to do to-morrow."
"Yes," agreed Tom. "It's cooler now. Come on, dad."
Tom fell into a light doze. He thought afterward he could not have slept
more than half an hour when he heard a commotion out in the yard. For an
instant he could not tell what it was, and then, as he grew wider awake
he knew that it was the shouting of Eradicate Sampson, and the braying
of Boomerang.
But what was Eradicate shouting?
"Fire! Fire! Fire!"
Tom leaped to his window.
"Wake up, Massa Tom! Wake up! De areoplane shed am on fire, an' de
Humming-Bird will burn up! Hurry! Hurry!"
Tom looked out. Flames were shooting up from the roof of the shed where
his precious craft was kept.
Chapter Seventeen
Mr.
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