housekeeper had not done this since he was a little chap. She had to
stand on a soap box, which Eradicate brought in order to reach Tom's
face, and, when she had kissed him she said:

"Oh, I'm so worried! I just know you'll be killed, risking your lives
in that terrible airship!"

"Ha! Not a very cheerful view to take, madam," observed Mr. Damon.
"Don't hold that view, I beg of you. Bless my eyelashes, but you'll
see us coming home, covered with glory and star dust."

"I'm sure I hope so," answered Mrs. Baggert, laughing a little in
spite of herself.

The last ropes were cast off. Good-bys were shouted as the airship
shot into the air, and Mr. Sharp started the motor, to warm it up
before the propellers were thrown into gear. The twenty cylinders
began exploding with a terrific racket, as the muffler was open, and
Tom, looking down, saw Boomerang awaken with a jump. The mule was so
frightened that he started off on a dead run, swinging the rickety,
old wagon along behind him.

Eradicate Sampson, who had been feeling his muscle since he discovered
what he thought was his marvelous strength, saw what was happening.

"Whoa, dar, Boomerang!" he shouted. Then, as the tailboard of the
wagon swung past him, he reached out and grabbed it. Perhaps he
thought he could bring the runaway mule up standing, but, if he did,
he was grievously disappointed. Boomerang pulled his master along the
gravel walk, and kept running in spite of Eradicate's command to