第4章

As I have said, it was on his trip to giant land that Tom got his big servant.This book, the thirteenth of the series, is called "Tom Swift in Captivity," for the giants captured him and his friends, and it was only by means of their airship that they made their daring escape.

Tom had been back from the strange land some time now.One giant he had turned over to the circus representative for whom he had undertaken the mission, and the other he retained to work around his shop, as Eradicate was getting too old.It was now winter, and there had been quite a fall of snow the day before Mr.Period, the odd moving picture man, called on Tom.There were many big drifts outside the building.

Tom had fitted up a well-equipped shop, where he and his father worked on their inventions.Occasionally Ned Newton, or Mr.Damon, would come over to help them, but of late Tom had been so busy on his noiseless motor that he had not had time to even see his friends.

"'Well, I guess the five minutes have passed, and my mind is made up," thought Tom, as he looked at his watch."I might as well tell Mr.Period that I can't undertake his commission.In the first place it isn't going to be an easy matter to make an electric moving picture camera.I'd have to spend a lot of time studying up the subject, and then I might not be able to get it to work right.

"And, again, I can't spare the time to go to all sorts of wild and impossible places to get the pictures.It's all well enough to talk about getting moving pictures of natives in battle, or wild beasts fighting, or volcanoes in action, but it isn't so easy to do it.Then, too, I'd have to makesome changes in my airship if I went on that trip.No, I can't go.I'll tell him he'll have to find some one else."Mr.Period pulled out his watch, opened it quickly, snapped it shut again, and exclaimed:

"Well, how about it, Tom Swift? When can you start! The sooner the better for me! You'll want some money for expenses I think.I brought my check book along, also a fountain pen.I'll give you a thousand dollars now, for I know making an electric moving picture camera isn't going to be cheap work.Then, when you get ready to start off in your airship, you'll need more money.I'll be Johnny-on-the-spot all right, and have it ready for you.Now when do you think you can start?"He sat down at a bench, and began filling out a check.

"Hold on!" cried Tom, amused in spite of himself."Don't sign that check, Mr.Period.I'm not going.""Not going?" The man's face showed blank amazement.

"No," went on Tom."I can't spare the time.I'm sorry, but you'll have to get some one else.""Some one else? But who can I get?"

"Why, there are plenty who would be glad of the chance.""But they can't invent an electric moving picture camera, and, if they could, they wouldn't know enough to take pictures with it.It's got to be you or no one, Tom Swift.Look here, I'll make it fifteen thousand dollars above expenses.""No, I'm sorry, but I can't go.My work here keeps me too busy.

"Oh, pshaw! Now, look here, Tom Swift! Do you know who sent me to see you?""It was Mr.Nestor, who has a daughter named Mary, I believe.Mr.Nestor is one of the directors in our company, and one day, when he told me about you sending a wireless message from Earthquake Island, I knew you would be the very man for me.So now you see you'll be doing Mr.Nestor a favor, as well as me, if you go on this trip."Tom was somewhat surprised, yet he realized that Mr.Period was speaking the truth.Mr.Nestor was identified with many new enterprises.Yet the youth was firm.

"I really can't go," said our hero."I'd like to, but I can't.I'd like to oblige Mr.Nestor, for--well, for more reasons than one," and Tom blushed slightly."But it is out of the question.I really can't go.""But you must!" insisted the camera man."I won't take 'no' for an answer.You've got to go, Tom Swift, do you hear that? You've go to go?"Mr.Period was apparently very much excited.He strode over to Tom and smote his hands together to emphasize what he said.Then he shook his finger at Tom, to impress the importance of the matter on our hero.

"You've just got to go!" he cried."You're the only one who can help me, Tom.Do go! I'll pay you well, and--oh, well, I know you don't need the money, exactly, but--say, you've got to go!"In his earnestness Mr.Period laid his hand on Tom's arm.The next instant something happened.

With a few big strides Koku was beside the picture man.With great quickness he grasped Mr.Period by the coat collar, lifted him off his feet with one hand, and walked over to a window with him, easily lifting him above the floor.

With one fling the giant tossed the short, stout gentleman out into a snow bank, while Tom looked on, too surprised to do anything, even if he had had the chance.

"There.You touch Tom Swift again, and I sit on you and keep you under snow!" cried the giant, while Mr.Period kicked and squirmed about in the drift, as Tom made a leap forward to help him out.