tom swift & his electric runabout(汤姆史威特和他的电力小轿车)-第33章
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his companions to do all the work。
〃Nonsense！ You ride；〃 said Mr。 Damon。 〃You're lighter than we are；
and can steer better。 It won't be any trouble at all to pull this car down
hill。〃
It proved to be an easy task； and in a short time the 〃dead〃 auto was
near enough to the electric line to permit Tom to run his charging wire
over to it。
〃Why bless my soul！〃 exclaimed Mr。 Damon； looking up。 〃There's no
overhead trolley wire。 The car must run on storage batteries。〃
〃Third rail； more likely；〃 was the opinion of Mr。 Sharp and so it
proved。
〃I can charge from either the third rail or the trolley wire；〃 declared
Tom； who was insulating his hands in rubber gloves； and getting his wires
ready。 In a short time he had the proper connections made； and the much…
needed current was soon flowing into the depleted battery； or batteries； for
there were several sets； though the whole source of motive power was
usually referred to as a 〃storage battery。〃
〃How long will it take？〃 asked Mr。 Damon。
〃About two hours；〃 answered the lad。 〃We'll probably have to
disconnect our wires several times； whenever a trolley car comes past。 By
my system I can recharge the battery very quickly。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
〃Do you suppose the owners of the road will make any objection？〃
asked the balloonist。
〃I'm going to pay for the current I use；〃 explained the young inventor。
〃I have a meter which tells how much I take。〃
The hum of an approaching car was heard； and Tom took the wires
from the third rail。 The car came to a stop opposite the automobile； the
passengers； as well as the crew； looking curiously at the queer racing
machine。 Tom explained to the conductor what was going on； and asked
the fare…collector to notify those in charge of the power station that all
current used would be paid for。 The conductor said this would be
satisfactory； he was sure； and the car proceeded； Tom resuming the
charging of his battery。
Allowing plenty of reserve power to accumulate； and making sure that
the gauge would not stick again； and deceive him； the owner of the speedy
electric was soon ready to proceed again。 They had been delayed a little
over three hours； for they had to make several shifts； as the cars came past。
They reached their shore cottage late that night； and； after seeing that
the runabout was safely locked in the big shed where the submarine had
been built； they all went to bed； for they were very tired。
Tom sent word； the next day； to the managers of the race； that he
would be on hand at the time stipulated； and announced that he had made
part of the trip； as required； under the power of the auto itself。
The next day was spent in overhauling the machinery； tightening up
some loose bearings； oiling different parts； and further charging the battery。
Tires were looked to； and the ones on the spare wheels were gone over to
prepare for any emergency that might arise when the race was started。
On the third day； Tom； Mr。 Sharp and Mr。 Damon； leaving the cottage
completed the trip to Havenford； Long Island； where the new track had
been constructed。
They reached the place shortly before noon； and； if they had been
unaware of the location they could not have missed it； for there were many
autos speeding along the road toward the scene of the race； which would
take place the following day。
Several electric cars passed Tom and his friends； whizzing swiftly by；
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
but the young inventor was not going to show off his speed until the time
came。 Besides； he did not want to run any risks of an accident。 But some
of the contestants seemed anxious for impromptu 〃brushes；〃 and more
than one called to our hero to 〃speed up and let's see what she can do。〃 But
Tom smiled； and shook his head。
There were many gasolene and some steam autos going out to the new
track； which was considered a remarkable piece of engineering。 It was in
the shape of an octagon； and the turns were considered very safe。 It was a
five mile track； and to complete the race it would be necessary to make a
hundred circuits。
Through scores of autos Tom and his friends threaded their way； the
young inventor keeping a watchful eye on the various types of machine
with which he would soon have to compete。
There were many kinds。 Some were larger and some smaller than his。
Many obviously carried very large batteries； but whether they had the
speed or not was another question。 Some； in spurts； seemed to Tom； to be
fully as fast as his own； and he began to have some doubts whether he
would win the race。
〃But I'm not going to give up until the five hundredth mile is finished；〃
he thought； grimly。
They were now in sight of the track； and noted many machines
speeding around it。
〃Go on in and try your car； Tom；〃 urged Mr。 Sharp。
〃Yes； do；〃 added Mr。 Damon。 〃Let's see how it travels。〃
〃I will； after I notify the proper officials that I have arrived；〃 decided
the lad。
The formalities were soon complied with。 Tom received his entry card；
after paying the fee； made affidavit that he had completed the entire trip
from home under his own power； save for the little stretch when the car
was pulled； which did not count against him； and was soon ready to go on
the track。 Only electric cars were allowed there。
As the young inventor guided his latest effort in the machine line onto
the big track there were murmurs of surprise from the throngs。
〃That's a queer machine；〃 said one。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
〃Yes； but it looks speedy；〃 was another's opinion。
〃There's the car for my money；〃 added a third； pointing to a big red
electric which was certainly whizzing around the track。 Tom noted the red
car。 Behind it was a green one； also moving at a fast rate of speed。
〃Those will be my nearest rivals；〃 thought the lad； as he guided his car
onto the track。 A moment later he was sending the auto ahead at moderate
speed； while the other contestants looked at the new arrival； as if trying to
discover whether in it they would have a dangerous competitor。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
CHAPTER XXV
WINNING THE PRIZE
After making two circuits of the track at moderate speed； Tom turned
on more power； deciding to see how the machine would behave on the
turns； going at a fast speed。 As it happened he forged ahead just as the big
red car was coming up behind him。 The driver of it took this for a
challenge and threw his controller handle forward。
〃Come on！〃 he cried to our hero； when even with him。
Tom did not want to decline the invitation； and the impromptu race
was under way。
