"Appleton, Victor - Tom Swift Jr 10 - And His Ultrasonic Cycloplane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Appleton Victor)

opinion, that aerodynamic principle offers our only chance of stable flight in such
a turbulent sky as this one."
"Hmm, you may be right, son. I'll put an engineering team and a test pilot on
the job right away; in fact, I'll take personal charge myself. With luck, we can
have your cycloplane ready for action in a few days."
"Swell, Dad! That's the main reason I called."
Tom brought his father up to date on certain details concerning the cybertron
and the new engine mounts for his cycloplane. Then, after an exchange of
affectionate family messages, the young inventor signed off.
Meanwhile, Chow had been packing a jungle kit for each man, which
included water, food rations, and insect repellent. Doc Simpson loaded his own
bag with medical instruments and extra first-aid gear in case of emergencies.
At the same time, each man was busy with scissors, needle, and packthread,
fashioning himself a makeshift sleeping bag out of waterproof nylon fabric. Great
rolls of the material were
52 ULTRASONIC CYCLOPLANE
always carried aboard the Sky Queen for camouflage purposes.
Tom himself went to work at top speed in the ship's electronic laboratory.
Assembling parts like a one-man production line, he constructed a small
transistor-type walkie-talkie for every man, in case the group should become
separated from one another.
The tropic sun was high overhead when the lunch-call clanging of Chow's
triangle was heard over the ship's intercom. Hungrily the crew assembled for a
tasty meal of ham sandwiches, salad, and lemonade.
"How soon do we hit the trail, skipper?" Slim asked as he got up from the
table.
"In about an hour," Tom replied. "We'll all hit the sack for a short siesta first,
so we can start out well rested."
Shortly before two o'clock, Tom roused the men from their naps. Shouldering
their jungle kit bags, the rescue party lined up for the rugged overland trek.
Arv Hanson and two flight crewmen had been detailed to stay behind and
guard the Sky Queen. Tom had equipped himself with a fairly strong radio
transmitter to keep in constant touch with them.
"Remember, fellows," Tom warned his men, "we're in for some rough travel
and the heat will be terrific until we reach higher ground. So take it easy until you
get used to it."
With shouts of farewell from the three crew-
A DANGEROUS SEARCH 53
men guarding the Sky Queen, the rescue party slogged forward into the
jungle.
The undergrowth was so dense that almost at once the going became
rugged. Swinging their machetes and hatchets, the men had to hack their way
along, foot by foot and yard by yard.
On all sides, the towering forest rose about them-huge casuarina trees, oaks,
palms, and pandanus. Dripping green moss festooned the branches and clung to
the tree trunks.
Even the ground underfoot was soggy, covered with rotting vines and logs.
"Like walkin' on a sponge!" Chow grumbled.
Every foot of the way, they were fascinated by strange sounds and splashes
of brilliant color. Gaudy parrots and cockatoos screeched at them from the