Damon, in which
letters the eccentric man had inquired as to when the trip for
Alaska would be undertaken.
"Then he's going?" asked Ned.
"Oh, yes, it wouldn't seem natural to go without some of Mr. Damon's
blessings. But I think he's going to bring a friend with him."
"Who?"
"Mr. Ralph Parker."
"That gloomy scientist, who is always predicting such terrible
things going to happen?"
"That's the gentleman. You met him once, I believe Mr. Damon says
Mr. Parker wants to do some scientific studying in the far north, so
I've already counted on him as one of our party. Well, perhaps he
won't do so much predicting this trip."
A little later Tom and Ned came to a big open field. They saw quite
a crowd gathered in it, but no sign of an airship.
"Guess Andy hasn't arrived," spoke Tom.
"No; very likely he's found out that something is wrong with his
machine, and he isn't going to risk it."
But almost as Ned spoke, there sounded cries of excitement from the
crowd, and, a little later, something big and white, with many wing-
shaped stretches of canvas sticking out from all sides, was seen
turning into the big meadow from the broad highway that led to
Andy's house.
"There she is!" cried Ned.
"There's something, at any rate," conceded Tom, as he hastened his
steps.
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