BUILDING THE CAR
"Well," remarked Tom to himself, about two hours later, when he had left Mary Nestor at her dock, and was on his way home, "I feel better than I did, and now I must do some hard thinking about my runabout.I want to get it the right shape to make the least resistance." He began to make some sketches when he got home, and at dinner he showed them to his father and Mr.Sharp.He said he had gotten an idea from looking at the airship.
"I'm going to make the front part, or what corresponds to the engine- hood in a gasolene car, pointed," he explained."It will be just like the front of the aluminum gas container of the airship, only built of steel.In it will be a compartment for a set of batteries, and there will be a searchlight there.From the top of some supporters in front of the two rear seats, a slanting sheet of steel will come right down to meet the sloping nose of the car.First I was going to have curtains close over the top of the driver's seat, but I think a steel covering, with a celluloid opening will be better and make less wind resistance.I'll use leather side curtains when it rains.Under the front seats will be a compartment for more batteries, and there will be a third place under the rear seats, where I will also carry spare wheels and a repair kit.The motors will be slung under the body of the car, amidships, and there will also be room for some batteries there.""How are you going to drive the car?" asked Mr.Sharp."By a shaft?" "Chain drive," explained Tom."I can get more power that way, and itwill be more flexible under heavy loads.Of course it will be steered in the usual way, and near the wheel will be the starting and reversing levers, and the gear handle.""Gears!" exclaimed the aged inventor."Are you going to gear an electric auto? I never heard of that.Usually the motor directly connected is all they use.""I'm going to have two gears on mine," decided Tom."That's a new idea," commented the aeronaut.
"It is," admitted the lad, "and that's why my car is going to be sospeedy.I'll make her go a hundred miles an hour, if necessary!" "Nonsense!" exclaimed his father.
"I will!" cried the young inventor, enthusiastically."You just wait and see.I couldn't do it but for the gears, but by using them I'll secure more speed, especially with the big reserve battery power I'll have.I know I've got the right idea, and I'm going to get right to work."His father and Mr.Sharp were much interested, and closely examined his sketches.In a few days Tom had made detailed drawings, and the aged inventor looked at them critically.He had to admit that his son's theory was right, though how it would work out in practice was yet to be demonstrated.Mr.Swift offered some suggestions for minor changes, as did Mr.Sharp, and the lad adopted some of them.Then, with Mr.Jackson to help him, work was started on constructing the car.
Certain parts of it could be better purchased in the open market instead of being manufactured in Mr.Swift's shop, and thus Tom was able to get his new invention into some sort of shape sooner than would otherwise have been the case.He also started making the batteries, many of which would be needed.
Gradually the car began to take form on the floor of Tom's shop.It was rather a curious looking affair, the sharp forward part making it appear like some engine of war, or a projectile for some monster gun.But Tom cared little for looks.Speed, strength and ease of control were the chief features the lad aimed at, and he incorporated many new ideas into his electric car.
He was busy in the shop, one morning, when, above the noise caused by filing a piece of steel he heard some one exclaim:
"Bless my gizzard! If you aren't as busy as ever!""Mr.Damon!" cried Tom in delight."When did you get back?""Last night," replied the eccentric man."My wife and I stayed longer than we meant to.And whom do you think we met when we were off on our little trip?""Some of the Happy Harry gang?"
