Nevertheless, Tom was worried. He did not want his work
to be spoiled just when it was about to be a success. For that it
was a success, Lieutenant Marbury assured him. The government man
said he would have no hesitation in recommending the purchase of
Tom's aerial warship.
"There's just one other test I want to see made," he said.
"What is that?" Tom inquired.
"In a storm. You know we can't always count on having good
weather, and I'd like to see how she behaves in a gale."
"You shall!" declared the young inventor.
For the next week, during which finishing touches were put on
the big craft, Tom anxiously waited for signs of a storm. At last
they came. Danger signals were put up all along the coast, and
warnings were sent out broadcast by the Weather Bureau at
Washington.
One dull gray morning Tom roused his friends early and
announced that the Mars was going up.
"A big storm is headed this way," Tom said, "and we'll have a
chance to see how she behaves in it."
And even as the flight began, the forerunning wind and rain
came in a gust of fury. Into the midst of it shot the big aerial
warship, with her powerful propellers beating the moisture-laden
air.
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