“This crow,” Tom asked excitedly, “did it ever come near the ground?”
“Only once. A young brave, our finest bow-and-arrow champion, tried to shoot it down. But the arrows just bounced off.”
Tom’s brow creased with worry. There was no doubt in his mind that the bird was one of the sinister mechanical crows that had tried to kill him!
Sandy looked at her brother with eyes filled with fear. “Oh, Tom, I’m scared.
You’re not safe anywhere!”
CHAPTER 15
A CRUCIAL TEST
CHIEF FEATHERLIGHT stared perplexed at the Swifts and their friends.
Tom told him that the bird was mechanical and remote controlled, probably from a plane. Leaving all the gruesome details out of the story, he concluded by saying:
“The crow is the work of a scientist who is trying to get his hands on some of our secret inventions. I’m sure that he intends no harm to the Zunis. Tell your people not to worry. The crow was only on a test flight.”
The Indian seemed satisfied and arose, saying he would follow Tom’s advice. The young inventor asked the chief to keep him informed of any further appearances of the crow. The man nodded, then descended the ladder and rode off on his horse.
Chow relaxed the tension somewhat by ringing a big dinner bell he had brought along on the trip. It never failed to get a smile.
125
126 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT ROBOT
The cook announced that a barbecue would be served under the stars.
Everyone scrambled for the door.
Chow had arranged dinner chuck-wagon style. The girls perched on rocks and the boys sat cross-legged, Indian-fashion, around a crackling fire of charcoal.