Within half an hour, the device was ready for its first test. Bud, who had wandered in to see what was going on, helped Tom and Chow trundle it to a freight elevator and take it downstairs. Then they wheeled the platform to a clear area outside the building.
A group of curious workmen gathered to watch. Tom warned them to stay off the platform until he had given it a tryout. “Might be an accident if it doesn’t work right,” he explained.
Chow, meanwhile, was looking on with intense interest. “Brand my sagebrush ‘n’ saddles,” he muttered to himself, “I’d sure like to get me a ride on that there flyin’ carpet!”
CHAPTER XV
RIDE ‘EM, COWBOY!
BEFORE making the remote-control test, Tom decided to try a short flight and use the manual control box. Stepping onto the repelatron donkey, he opened the switch cautiously.
Before the amazed eyes of the onlookers, the device rose several feet off the ground and floated in mid-air!
“So far, so good,” Tom muttered. He moved the switch a little farther until he was above the watchers’ heads. “Now for a steering check.”
Tom set a small lever on the control box for forward motion, then flicked a second switch which controlled the swivel-mounted radiator. The platform responded smoothly. Tom found it a bit hard to maintain his balance, but was soon maneuvering through the air at will.
“Nice going, pal!” Bud cheered, as the group of workmen applauded enthusiastically.
Employees crowded to the windows of the nearby buildings to watch. Tom, smiling with
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130 THE RACE TO THE MOON
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