“I wish you could stick around, Dad,” Tom said regretfully, “but I realize your government work is more important. Would you like us to turn around and pick you and Sandy up?”
Mr. Swift chuckled. “No, don’t bother. Bud tells me you’re trying a bit of lighter-than-air navigation, so go ahead with your experiment. Sandy and I probably will beat you there in the jeep.”
“Don’t count on thatl” Tom said, and signed off with a laugh.
Presently Phyl, using binoculars, sighted the jeep threading its way along the jungle trail below. “This race may turn out to be neck-and-neck!” she reported.
142 ELECTRONIC RETROSCOPE
“Don’t sell us short,” Tom joked. “The future of the airship is at stake!”
After almost an hour of free-floating, the landing site finally came into view.
Below, in the broad grassy clearing, lay the huge silver-winged Sky Queen and Mr. Swift’s smaller cargo jet. Tom hovered down over the clearing, switched on the electric pump and compressor to deflate the helium bag, and landed without difficulty.
The jeep-Phyl had reported from her last view through the binoculars-was a mile or so away. “Winner and still champion!” She laughed, raising Tom’s hand.
“Seriously, Tom, I think your paraplane is wonderful!”
The young inventor reddened and laughed. “It was fun, especially with you, Phyl. How about an airship picnic when we get back to Shopton?”
“It’s a date!” Phyl said enthusiastically.
Mr. Swift and Sandy arrived soon afterward. The girls were disappointed at having their visit cut short, but cheered up when Tom promised an outing and a full report of all adventures as soon as he and Bud returned home from Yucatan.