Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 05 – And His Atomic Earth Blaster

“I should think that would be obvious, even to you,” Voorhees jeered. “While we’ve been wasting valuable time setting up a base here-on a site, by the way, which was chosen personally by young Mr. Swift-Bronich has probably picked the ideal spot for drilling!”

“And of course you could have handled things much better?” Bud challenged.

“I certainly couldn’t have handled them any worse!”

“Then try handling this!”

Bud’s fist shot out in a punch that sent Voorhees sprawling in the snow!

CHAPTER 20

A WHALE CHARGES

THE KNOCKDOWN infuriated Voorhees. Crimson with rage, he picked himself up and charged.

Bud met him with a jarring left to the jaw, followed by a hard right to the pit of the stomach. Voorhees’ knees buckled, but he quickly recovered. A moment later the opponents were trading punches wildly in a toe-to-toe slugging match, hindered greatly by their heavy clothing.

The clash had caught Tom by surprise. But before any serious harm could be done, he flung himself between the fighters and pushed them apart.

“Now shake hands-both of you!” Tom ordered. “And don’t give me any argument. We’ve got too big a job ahead of us to waste any energy brawling!”

The commanding ring in his voice produced

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168 TOM SWIFT AND HIS ATOMIC BLASTER

instant results. Somewhat shamefacedly, Bud and Voorhees shook hands.

“Perhaps it would be better to move after all,” Voorhees conceded sullenly.

“My own thermal measurements will be more stable if they’re made on solid rock.”

During the next two days, Tom scouted a large area to the south, taking numerous soundings with the geophones. Finally he found what seemed to be an ideal spot for drilling.