He cast an ugly look at Tom, but the latter only smiled. It was
no easy task for Sam and Andy to pull the log out of the way, as
they could hardly lift it to slip the rope under. But they
finally managed it, and, by the power of the car, hauled it to one
side. Then they speed off.

"I 'clar t' gracious, dem young fellers am most as mean an'
contrary as mah mule Boomerang am sometimes," observed Eradicate.
"Only Boomerang ain't quite so mean as dat."

"I should hope not, Rad," observed Tom. "I'm ever so much obliged
for your warning. I guess I'll be getting, home now. Come around
next week; we have some work for you."

"'Deed an' I will," replied the colored man. "I'll come around
an' eradicate all de dirt on yo' place, Mistah Swift. Yais, sah,
I's Eradicate by name, and dat's my perfession--eradicatin' dirt.
Much obleeged, I'll call around. Giddap, Boomerang!"

The mule lazily flicked his ears, but did not stir, and Tom,
knowing the process of arousing the animal would take some time,
hurried up the hill to where he had left his motor-cycle.
Eradicate was still engaged on the task of trying to arouse his
steed to a sense of its duty when the young inventor flashed by on
his way home.

"So now you own a broken motor-boat," observed Mr. Swift when Tom
had related the circumstances of the auction. "Well, now you have
it, what are you going to do with it?"