Tom Swift in Captivity, Or, A Daring Escape By Airship

or A Daring Escape by Airship
by Victor Appleton

Tom Swift closed the book of adventures he had been reading, tossed it on the table, and got up. Then he yawned.
What's the matter? asked his chum, Ned Newton, who was deep in another volume.
Oh, I thought this was going to be something exciting, replied Tom, motioning toward the book he had discarded. But say! the make-believe adventures that fellow had, weren't anything compared to those we went through in the city of gold, or while rescuing the exiles of Siberia.
Well, remarked Ned, they would have to be pretty classy adventures to lay over those you and I have had lately. But where are you going? he continued, for Tom had taken his cap and started for the door.
I thought I'd go out and take a little run in the aeroplane. Want to come along? It's more fun than sitting in the house reading about exciting things that never have happened. Come on out and--
Yes, and have a tumble from the aeroplane, I suppose you were going to say, interrupted Ned with a laugh. Not much! I'm going to stay here and finish this book.
Say, demanded Tom indignantly. Did you ever know me to have a tumble since I knew how to run an airship?
No, I can't say that I did. I was only joking.
Then you carried the joke too far, as the policeman said to the man he found lugging off money from the bank. And to make up for it you've got to come along with me.