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Page 70
Previous to this he and his colleagues had made a minute
examination of the machinery, and had been shown the interior
construction of the silencer by means of one built so that a
sectional view could be had. Tom's principles were pronounced
fundamental and simple.
"So simple, in fact, that it is a wonder no one thought of it
before," said a navy aviation expert. "It is the last word in
aircraft construction--a silent motor that will not apprise the
enemy of its approach! You have done wonders, Mr. Swift!"
"I'd rather hear you say that after the air test," replied Tom,
with a laugh. "Are you ready, Mr. Terrill?"
"Whenever you are."
"How about you, Mr. Damon?"
"Oh, I'm always ready to go with you, Tom Swift. Bless my
trench helmet, but you can't sail any too soon for me!"
There was a genial laugh at his impetuosity, and the three took
their seats in the big craft. Once more the engine was started.
It operated as silently as before, and the first good impressions
were confirmed. Even as the machine moved along the ground, just
previous to taking flight into the air, there was no noise, save
the slight crunch made by the wheels. This, of course, would be
obviated when Silent Sam was aloft.
Up and up soared the great craft, with Tom at the engine and
guide controls, while Mr. Terrill and Mr. Damon sat behind him,
both eagerly watching. Mr. Terrill was there to find fault if he
could, but he was glad he did not have to.
"The machine works perfectly, Mr. Swift," he said. "My report
cannot be otherwise than favorable."
"We mustn't be in too much of a hurry," said Tom, who had
learned caution some time ago. "I want to sail around for several
hours. Sometimes a machine will work well at first, but defects
will develop when it is overheated. I'm going to do my best to
make a noise with this new motor."
But it seemed impossible. The machinery worked perfectly, and
though Silent Sam took his passengers high and low, in big
circles and small ones, there was no appreciable noise from the
motor. The passengers could converse as easily, and with as
little effort, as in a balloon.
"Of course that isn't the prime requisite," said Mr. Terrill,
"but it is a good one. What we want is a machine that can sail
over the enemy's lines at night without being heard, and I think
this one will do it--in fact, I'm sure it will. Of course the
ability of the passengers to converse and not have to use the
uncertain tube is a great advantage."
As Tom Swift sailed on and on, it became evident that the test
was going to be a success. The afternoon passed, and it began to
grow dark, but a glorious full moon came up.
"Shall I take you down?" the young inventor asked Mr. Terrill.
"Not quite yet. I thoroughly enjoy this, and it isn't often I
get a chance for a moonlight airship ride. Go a little lower, if
you please, and we'll see if we attract any attention from the
inhabitants of the earth. We'll see if they can possibly hear the
machine, though I don't see how they can."
And they did not. Tom piloted the machine over Shopton, sailing
directly over the center of the town, where there was a big crowd
walking about. Though the airship sailed only a few hundred feet
above their heads, not a person was aware of it, since the
craft's lights were put out for this test.
"That settles it," said Mr. Terrill. "You have succeeded, Tom
Swift!"
But Tom was not yet satisfied. He wanted a longer test. Hardly
knowing why he did it he sent the craft in the direction of Mary
Nestor's home. As he sailed across her lawn he saw, in the
moonlight, that she and her mother were walking in the garden.
They did not look up as the aircraft passed over their heads, and
were totally unaware of its presence, unless they caught a
glimpse of it as it flitted silently along, like some great bird
of the night.
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