But what gave Tom more concern than anything else was the sight
of Eradicate lying in the midst of broken glass on the floor. The
colored man was moaning and held his hands over his face, and the
young inventor could see that the hands, which had labored so
hard and faithfully in his service, were cut and bleeding.

"Rad! Rad! what has happened?" cried Tom quickly.

"It sploded! It done sploded right in mah face!" moaned
Eradicate. "I--I can't see no mo', Massa Tom! I can't see to help
yo' nevah no mo'!"

"Don't worry about that, Rad!" cried Tom, as cheerfully as
possible under the circumstances. "We'll soon have you fixed up!
Come in here, Koku, and help me carry Rad out!"

Though the fumes from the chemicals that had exploded were
choking, causing both Tom and Koku to gasp for breath, they never
hesitated. In they rushed and picked up the limp figure of the
helpless colored man.

"Poor Rad!" murmured the giant Koku tenderly. "Him bad hurt! I
carry him, Master Tom! I take him bed, an' I go for doctor! I run
like painted pig!"

Probably Koku meant "greased pig," but Tom never thought of
that. All his concern was for his faithful Eradicate.

"Me carry him, Master Tom!" cried Koku, all the petty jealousy