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.They were so startled that they did not know enough to run outof the opened doors."Wish we had some more stuff to put on 'em," remarked Ned, who was holding hissides that ached from laughter.Page 26ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"I have it!" cried Tom, and he caught up a bucket of red paint, that had beenused to give the airship its brilliant hue.Running to the end of the loft Tomstood for an instant over the trio of lads who were threatening and imploringby 'turns."Here's another souvenir of your visit," shouted the young inventor, as hedashed the bucket of red paint down on the conspirators.This completed thework of the dirt and soot, and a few seconds later, each face looking like astage Indian's ready for the warpath, the trio dashed out.They shed shavings,sawdust and lampblack at every step, and from their clothes and hands andfaces dripped the carmine paint."Better have your pictures taken!" cried Ned, peering from an upper window."Yes, and send us one," added Tom, joining his chum.Andy looked up at them.He dug a mass of red paint from his left ear, removed a mass of soot from hisright cheek, and, shaking his fist, which was alternately striped red andblack, cried out in a rage"I'll get even with you yet, Tom Swift!""You only got what was coming to you," retorted the young inventor."The nexttime you come sneaking around this airship, trying to damage it, you'll getworse, and I'll have you arrested.You've had your lesson, and don't forgetit."The redhaired bully, doubly redhaired now, had nothing more to say.There wasnothing he could say, and, accompanied by his companions, he made a beelinefor the rear gate in the fence, and darted across the meadow.They were allsorry enough looking specimens, but solely through their own fault.Chapter 8 Winning a Prize"Well, Tom, what happened?" asked Mr.Sharp, as he saw the trio running away."Looks as if you had had an exciting time here."Tom Swift and His AirshipChapter 8 Winning a Prize28"No, those fellows had all the excitement," declared Ned."We had the fun."And the two lads proceeded to relate what had taken place."Tried to damage the airship, eh?" asked Mr.Sharp."I wish I'd caught them atit; the scoundrels! But perhaps you handled them as well as I could havedone.""I guess so," assented Tom."I must see if they did cut any of the wires."But the young inventor and his chum had acted too quickly, and it was foundthat nothing, had been done to the Red Cloud.A little later the airship was taken out of the shed, and made ready for atrip.The gas ascension was first used, and Ned and Mr.Swift were passengerswith Tom and Mr.Sharp.The machine went about a thousand feet up in the air,and then was sent in various directions, to the no small delight of a largecrowd that gathered in the meadow back of the Swift property; for it onlyrequired the sight of the airship looming its bulk above the fence andbuildings, to attract a throng.It is safe to say this time, however, thatAndy Foger and his cronies were not in the audience.They were probably toobusy removing the soot and red paint.Although it was the first time Mr.Swift had ever been in an airship, heevinced no great astonishment.In fact he seemed to be thinking deeply, and onsome subject not connected with aeronautics.Tom noticed the abstraction ofhis father, and shook his head.Clearly the aged inventor was not his usualself.As for Ned Newton his delight knew no bounds, At first he was a bitapprehensive as the big ship went higher and higher, and swung about, but hesoon lost his fear, and enjoyed the experience as much as did Tom.The younginventor was busy helping Mr.Sharp manage the machinery, ruddersplanes andmotor.A flight of several miles was made, and Tom was wishing they might pay anotherPage 27ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlvisit to the RocksmondSeminary, but Mr.Sharp, after completing several evolutions, designed to testthe steering qualities of the craft, put back home."We'll land in the meadow and try rising by the planes alone," he said.Inthis evolution it was deemed best for Mr.Swift and Ned to alight, as therewas no telling just how the craft would behave.Tom's father was very willingto get out, but Ned would have remained in, only for the desire of his friend.With the two propellers whirring at a tremendous speed, and all the gas out ofthe aluminum container, theRed Cloud shot forward, running over the level ground of the meadow, where astarting course had been laid out."Clear the track!" cried Mr.Sharp, as he saw the crowd closing up in front ofhim.The men, boys, several girls and women made a living lane.Through thisshot the craft, and then, when sufficient momentum had been obtained, Tom, ata command from the aeronaut, pulled the lever of the elevation rudder.Up intothe air shot the nose of the Red Cloud as the wind struck the slanting surfaceof the planes, and, a moment later it was sailing high above the heads of thethrong
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