Tom struggled desperately to regain control of the plane. He reduced the fuel flow but the ship continued to pick up speed. When he tried to dive, the craft pointed straight ahead!
“For the love of Mike,” Bud exclaimed, “what’s going on?”
“I’m trying to figure it out,” Tom replied tersely. “Sit tight!”
Tom used every bit of flying knowledge he possessed, but the plane ignored every attempt to bring it under control.
“Can’t you bring her down?” Bud asked frantically.
“No. Something has kayoed our control instruments,” Tom answered. “But we still have one chance. I may be able to stall her and glide in.”
6 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT ROBOT
Tom reached down and pulled a gear handle. The plane’s wing flaps slowly spread open and the jet slowed for a moment. Then, as if angered by this latest move, the craft went into a tail spin. Over and over it spiraled toward the ground.
“Bud!” Tom yelled. “Jump!”
Desperately Bud tried to tighten his parachute harness which had loosened when he reached for his camera.
Meanwhile, Tom was fighting to release the hatch. It, too, seemed to be under the influence of the strange force. Below him, the earth was spinning crazily and every instant the patches of green-and-brown landscape leaped closer.
Tom knew he must act fast. Cutting the control wire leading to the hatch, he shorted it against another circuit. A crackle of sparks jumped across the cabin and the hatch in the floor sprang open. Automatically the seat ejectors were set off. First Bud, then Tom, was hurtled down and backward from the ship.