the tank of liquid extinguisher he was helping to hoist into the
aeroplane. Then, as he caught sight of his visitor, Tom
exclaimed:

"Hello, Mr. Damon! We were wondering whether you'd be along to
witness our first experiment."

"Experiment, Tom Swift! Experiment! Bless my Latin grammar! but
you'd much better be calling out the fire department to play on
that blaze down in your meadow. What is it--your barns or one of
your new shops?"

"Neither one, Mr. Damon," laughed Ned. "It's only a blaze that
Koku and Rad started."

"And the fire department is here," added Tom.

"Where?" inquired the eccentric man.

"Here," and Tom pointed to his airship--one of the smaller
craft--into which the tank of chemicals had been hoisted.

"Oh!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Something new, eh, Tom?" His eyes
glistened.

"Yes. Fighting fires from the air. I got the idea after the
fireworks factory went up in smoke. Will you come along? There's
plenty of room."

"I believe I will," assented Mr. Damon. It was not the first