"Aren't you going back on your motor-cycle" asked his father."No, Dad, I'm going to row over to Lanton, and, if I can get the ARROW fixed, 'I'll tow my rowboat back.""Very well, then you won't be in any danger from Andy Foger.I must speak to his father about him.""No, dad, don't," exclaimed the young inventor quickly."I can fight my own battles with Andy.I don't fancy he will bother me again right away."Tom found it more of a task than he had anticipated to get the motor in shape to run the ARROW back under her own power.The magneto was out of order and the batteries needed renewing, while the spark coil had short-circuited and took considerable time to adjust.But by using some new dry cells, which Mr.Hastings gave him, and cutting out the magneto, or small dynamo which produces the spark that exploded the gasoline in the cylinders, Tom soon had a fine, "fat" hot spark from the auxiliary ignition system.Then, adjusting the timer and throttle on the engine andseeing that the gasoline tank was filled, the lad started up his motor.Mr.Hastings helped him, but after a few turns of the flywheel there were no explosions.Finally, after the carburetor (which is the device where gasoline is mixed with air to produce an explosive mixture) had been adjusted, the motor started off as if it had intended to do so all the while and was only taking its time about it.
"The machine doesn't run as smooth as it ought to," commented Mr.Hastings."No, it needs a thorough overhauling," agreed the owner of the ARROW."I'll get at it tomorrow," and with that he swung out into the lake, towing his rowboat after him.
"A motor-boat of my own!" exulted Tom as he twirled the steering wheel and noted how readily the craft answered her helm."This is great!"He steered down the lake and then, turning around, went up it a mile or more before heading for his own dock, as he wanted to see how the engine behaved.
"With some changes and adjustments I can make this a speedy boat," thought Tom."I'll get right at it.I shouldn't wonder if I could make a good showing against Mr.Hastings' new CARLOPA, though his boat's got four cylinders and mine has but two."The lad was proceeding leisurely along the lakeshore, near his home, with the motor throttled down to test it at low speed, when he heard some one shout.Looking toward the bank, Tom saw a man waving his hands.
"I wonder what he wants?" thought our hero as he put the wheel over to send his craft to shore.He heard a moment later, for the man on the bank cried:
"I say, my young friend, do you know anything about automobiles? Of course you do or you wouldn't be running a motor-boat.Bless my very existence, but I'm in trouble! My machine has stopped on a lonely road and I can't seem to get it started.I happened to hear your boat and I came here to hail you.Bless my coat-pockets but I am in trouble! Can you help me?Bless my soul and gizzard!""Mr.Damon" exclaimed Tom, shutting off the power, for he was now near shore."Of course I'll help you, Mr.Damon," for the young inventorhad recognized the eccentric man of whom he had purchased the motor- cycle and who had helped him in rounding up the thieves.
"Why, bless my shoe-laces, if it isn't Tom Swift!" exclaimed Mr.Damon, who seemed very fond of calling down blessings upon himself or upon articles of his dress or person.
"Yes '.I'm here," admitted Tom with a laugh.
"And in a motor-boat, too! Bless my pocketbook, but did that run away with some one who sold it to you cheap?""No, not exactly," and the lad explained how he had come into possession of it.By this time he was ashore and had tied the ARROW to an overhanging tree.Then Tom proceeded to where Mr.Damon had left his stalled automobile.The eccentric man was wealthy and his physician had instructed him to ride about in the car for his health.Tom soon located the trouble.The carburetor had become clogged, and it was soon in working order again.
"Well, now that you have a boat ', I don't suppose you will be riding about the country so much," commented Mr.Damon as he got into his car."Bless my spark-plug! But if you ever get over to Waterfield, where I live, come and see me.It's handy to get to by water.""I'll come some day," promised the lad.
"Bless my hat band, but I hope so," went on the eccentric individual as he prepared to start his car.
Tom completed the remainder of the trip to his house without incident and his father came down to the dock to see the motor- boat.He agreed with his son that it was a bargain and that it could easily be put in fine shape.
The youth spent all the next day and part of the following working on the craft.He overhauled the ignition system, which was the jump-spark style, cleaned the magneto and adjusted the gasoline and compression taps so that they fitted better.Then he readjusted the rudder lines, tightening them on the steering wheel, and looked over the piping from the gasoline tank.
