CHAPTER XXIV
ON THE TRACK
"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Will the electric trolley pull usto a charging station?"
"No, we'll not need to go to a station," answered the youth. "If wecan get my car to the trolley tracks I can charge my battery fromthere. And I think we can push the auto near enough. It's down hill,and I've got a long wire so we won't have to go too close."
"Good!" cried Mr. Sharp. "But attach the rope to the front of the car,Tom. Mr. Damon and I will pull it. You'll have to ride in it to steerit."
"We can take turns at riding," was Tom's answer, for he did not wanthis companions to do all the work.
"Nonsense! You ride," said Mr. Damon. "You're lighter than we are, andcan steer better. It won't be any trouble at all to pull this car downhill."
It proved to be an easy task, and in a short time the "dead" auto wasnear enough to the electric line to permit Tom to run his charging wireover to it.
"Why bless my soul!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, looking up. "There's nooverhead trolley wire. The car must run on storage batteries."
"Third rail, more likely," was the opinion of Mr. Sharp and so itproved.
"I can charge from either the third rail or the trolley wire," declaredTom, who was insulating his hands in rubber gloves, and getting hiswires ready. In a short time he had the proper connections made, andthe much-needed current was soon flowing into the depleted battery, orbatteries, for there were several sets, though the whole source ofmotive 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 disconnectour wires several times, whenever a trolley car comes past. By mysystem I can recharge the battery very quickly.
"Do you suppose the owners of the road will make any objection?" askedthe 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 fromthe third rail. The car came to a stop opposite the automobile, thepassengers, as well as the crew, looking curiously at the queer racingmachine. Tom explained to the conductor what was going on, and askedthe fare-collector to notify those in charge of the power station thatall current used would be paid for. The conductor said this would besatisfactory, he was sure, and the car proceeded, Tom resuming thecharging of his battery.
Allowing plenty of reserve power to accumulate, and making sure thatthe gauge would not stick again, and deceive him, the owner of thespeedy electric was soon ready to proceed again. They had been delayeda little over three hours, for they had to make several shifts, as thecars came past.
They reached their shore cottage late that night, and, after seeingthat the runabout was safely locked in the big shed where the submarinehad 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 wouldbe on hand at the time stipulated, and announced that he had made partof the trip, as required, under the power of the auto itself.
The next day was spent in overhauling the machinery, tightening up someloose bearings, oiling different parts, and further charging thebattery. Tires were looked to, and the ones on the spare wheels weregone over to prepare for any emergency that might arise when the racewas started.
On the third day, Tom, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon, leaving the cottagecompleted the trip to Havenford, Long Island, where the new track hadbeen constructed.
They reached the place shortly before noon, and, if they had beenunaware of the location they could not have missed it, for there weremany autos speeding along the road toward the scene of the race, whichwould take place the following day.
Several electric cars passed Tom and his friends, whizzing swiftly by,but the young inventor was not going to show off his speed until thetime came. Besides, he did not want to run any risks of an accident.But some of the contestants seemed anxious for impromptu "brushes," andmore than one called to our hero to "speed up and let's see what shecan do." But Tom smiled, and shook his head.
There were many gasolene and some steam autos going out to the newtrack, which was considered a remarkable piece of engineering. It wasin the shape of an octagon, and the turns were considered very safe. Itwas a five mile track, and to complete the race it would be necessaryto make a hundred circuits.
Through scores of autos Tom and his friends threaded their way, theyoung inventor keeping a watchful eye on the various types of machinewith which he would soon have to compete.
There were many kinds. Some were larger and some smaller than his. Manyobviously carried very large batteries, but whether they had the speedor not was another question. Some, in spurts, seemed to Tom, to befully as fast as his own, and he began to have some doubts whether hewould win the race.
"But I'm not going to give up until the five hundredth mile isfinished," he thought, grimly.
They were now in sight of the track, and noted many machines speedingaround 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 entiretrip from home under his own power, save for the little stretch whenthe car was pulled, which did not count against him, and was soon readyto go on the track. Only electric cars were allowed there.
As the young inventor guided his latest effort in the machine line ontothe big track there were murmurs of surprise from the throngs.
"That's a queer machine," said one.
"Yes, but it looks speedy," was another's opinion.
"There's the car for my money," added a third, pointing to a big redelectric which was certainly whizzing around the track. Tom noted thered 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 hiscar onto the track. A moment later he was sending the auto ahead atmoderate speed, while the other contestants looked at the new arrival,as if trying to discover whether in it they would have a dangerouscompetitor.