“I haven’t decided yet, but I have my eye on a couple of young fellows. Now let’s see what we have next to do.”
“There’s plenty,” stated Ned, with truth.
The work went along. The Air Monarch was fully equipped for the race, and another trial flight showed big improvement as regarded her three speeds, on land, water, and in the air. Night and day men were on guard now, to keep Tom’s secret of his craft. Though in general its character was known, there were many things about it that the inventor did not want to reveal.
Meanwhile, the plan of an international world race was meeting with favor on all sides. Though one paper had offered the prize, the other journals gave plenty of space to the event and excitement was at a high pitch. Some wild and rash schemes were talked of, and not a few new and queer machines, both for land, air and water travel were entered. One man proposed to go in a motor car, hiring speedy, small steamers when land failed him, to transport his machine.
Peltok arrived and created a favorable impression on Tom and Ned. He was a quiet, reserved man, of great muscular strength, and he knew travel machines from end to end.
“And he can speak anything!” declared Ned. “He even talked to Koku in the giant’s own language.”
“No!” cried Tom.
“Fact! You ask Koku.”
Tom confirmed Ned’s statement. Peltok was a great linguist, and it was felt this accomplishment would be valuable should the Air Monarch have to land in uncivilized countries.
A few days before the Air Monarch was to leave for Long Island, Ned came to Tom with rather a serious face.