CHAPTER XXI
OFF TO THE BIG RACE
From their task of handing out money to eager depositors, the weariedtellers looked up as Tom and Mr. Damon entered with the big valisecrammed full of money. It was opened, and the bundles of bills turnedout on a table.
"Perhaps you'd better make an announcement to the crowd, Mr.Pendergast," suggested Mr. Swift. "Tell them we now have cash enough tomeet all demands, and that the bank will be kept open until every oneis paid."
"I will," agreed the aged president. His announcement was received withcheers, and had exactly the effect the inventor hoped it would.
Many, learning that the bank was safe, and that they could have theirmoney whenever they wanted it, concluded not to withdraw it, thussaving the interest. Scores in the waiting crowd turned out of line andwent home. Their example was contagious, and, though many stillremained to get their deposits, the run was broken. Only part of thesixty thousand dollars Tom and Mr. Damon had brought through after arace with time, was needed. But had it not been for the moral effect ofthe cash arriving as it did, the bank would have failed.
"You have a great car, Tom Swift," complimented Mr. Pendergast, whenthe excitement had somewhat cooled down, and the story of the hold-uphad been told.
"I think so myself," agreed the young inventor modestly. "I must getready for the races now."
"And as for those farmers, I think I'll send them a reward," went onthe president. "They deserve something for the trouble they had withthe load of hay. I certainly shall send them a reward," which he did,and a substantial one, too.
Of course the hold-up was at once reported to the police after the runhad quieted down, but Chief Simonson surprised Tom by saying that hehad expected it.
"The gang that held you up," said the police officer, "was one thatescaped from a jail, about twenty miles away. I got a tip after youleft, that they were going to rob you, for, in some way, they learnedabout the money you and Mr. Damon were to bring from the bank. Theunfortunate part of it was that the tip I got was to the effect thatthe hold-up would take place just outside of Clayton. I telephoned tothe police there, just after you left, and they said they'd send out aposse. But the gang changed their plans; and held you up near here,where I wasn't expecting it. But I'll get 'em yet."
Chief Simonson did not arrest the gang, but some other police officersdid, and they were taken back to jail. They were not prosecuted for theattempted robbery of Tom, as it was considered difficult to fix theguilt on them, but they received such a long additional sentence forbreaking jail, that it will be many years before they are released.
When Tom reached home that night he found some mail from the officialsof the Touring Club of America. It was to the effect that arrangementsfor the big contest had been completed, and that contesting cars mustbe on the ground by September first.
"That gives me two weeks yet," thought our hero.
He read further of the regulations covering the race. Each car mustproceed from the home town or city of the owner, and go to the trackunder its own power. This was a new regulation, it was stated, and wasadopted to better develop the industry of building electric autos. Twopassengers, or one in addition to the driver, must be carried, it wasstated, and this one would also be expected to be in the car during theentire race.
Regarding the race proper it was stated that at first it had beendecided to make it a twenty-four hour endurance contest, but that forcertain reasons this was changed, as it was found that few storagebatteries could go this length of time without a number of rechargings.Therefore the race was to be one for distance--five hundred miles, onthe new Long Island track, and the car first covering that distancewould win. Cars were allowed to change their batteries as often as theyneeded to, but all time lost would count against them. There were otherrules and regulations of minor importance.
"Well," remarked Tom, as he read through the circulars, "I must get mycar in shape. It will be quite a trip to Long Island, and I think mybest plan will be to go direct to the cottage we had when we werebuilding the submarine, and from there proceed to the track. That willcomply with the rules, I think. But who will I get to go with me? Isuppose Mr. Damon or Mr. Sharp will be willing. I'll ask them."
He broached the matter to his two friends that night, and they bothagreed to go to Long Island in the car, though only Mr. Sharp wouldaccompany Tom in the race. The next two weeks were busy ones for Tom.He worked night and day over his car, getting it in shape for the bigevent.
The young inventor made some changes in his battery, and also adopted anew gear, which would give greater speed. He also completed theexterior of the auto, giving it several coats of purple paint andvarnish, so that when it was finished, though it was different in shapefrom most autos, it was as fine an appearing car as one could wish. Hearranged to carry two extra wheels, with tires inflated, and, under therear seats, or tonneau, as he called it, Tom fitted up a completetire-repairing outfit. Mr. Sharp agreed to ride there, and in casethere was need to use more than two spare wheels during the race, therubber shoes or inner tubes could be mended while the car was swingingaround the track.
Mr. Damon would ride in front with Tom on the cross-country trip, andoccasionally relieve him at steering, or would help to manage theelectrical connections. Spare fuses, extra parts, wires and differentthings he thought he might need, the young inventor stored in his car.He also found means to install a small additional storage battery, togive added power in case of emergency.
Tom learned from the racing officials that if he made a trip fromShopton to the cottage on the coast, near the city of Atlantis, andlater traveled from there to the track, it would fulfill the conditionsof the contest.
Finally all was in readiness, and one morning, having spent the betterpart of the night going over his machine, to see that he had forgottennothing, Tom invited Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp to enter, and prepare forthe trip to Long Island.
"Well, Tom, I certainly hope you win that race," remarked Mrs. Baggert,as she stood in the doorway, waving a farewell.
"If I do I'll buy you a pair of diamond earrings to match the diamondring I gave you from the money I got from the wreck," promised the ladwith a laugh.
"An' ef yo' sees dat Andy Foger," added Eradicate Sampson, while herubbed the long ears of Boomerang, his mule, "ef yo' sees him, jest runober him once or twice fer mah sake, Mistah Swift."
"I'll do it for my own, too," agreed Tom.
The youth shook hands with his father, who wished him good luck, andthen, after a final look at his car, he climbed to his seat, and turnedon the power. There was a low hum from the motor and the electricstarted off. Would it return a winner or loser of the big race?