"Well, Massa Tom, am yo' gwine out in yo' flyin' machine ag'into-day?"
"Yes, Rad, I think I will take a little flight. Perhaps I'll go overto Waterford, and call on Mr. Damon. I haven't seen very much ofhim, since we got back from our hunt after the diamond-makers."
"Take a run clear ober t' Waterfield; eh, Massa Tom?"
"Yes, Rad. Now, if you'll help me, I'll get out the Butterfly, andsee what trim she's in for a speedy flight."
Tom Swift, the young inventor, aided by Eradicate Sampson, thecolored helper of the Swift household, walked over toward a smallshed.
A few minutes later the two had rolled into view, on its threebicycle wheels, a trim little monoplane—one of the speediest craftof the air that had ever skimmed along beneath the clouds. It wasbuilt to carry two, and had a very powerful motor.
"I guess it will work all right," remarked the young inventor, forTom Swift had not only built this monoplane himself, but was theoriginator of it, and the craft contained many new features.
"It sho' do look all right, Massa Tom."
"Look here, Rad," spoke the lad, as a sudden idea came to him,"you've never ridden in an airship, have you?"
"No, Massa Tom, an' I ain't gwine to nuther!"
"Why not?"
"Why not? 'Case as how it ain't healthy; that's why!"
"But I go in them frequently, Eradicate. So does my father. You'veseen us fly often enough, to know that it's safe. Why, look at thenumber of times Mr. Damon and I have gone off on trips in thislittle Butterfly. Didn't we always come back safely?"
"Yes, dat's true, but dere might come a time when yo' WOULDN'T comeback, an' den where'd Eradicate Sampson be? I axes yo' dat—whar'd Ib