“And a good thing you did, too,” put in Ned.  “Well let’s go back.  My nerves are on edge, and I want to sit quiet for a while.”

“Take the camera, Koku,” ordered Tom, “and I’ll carry the electric rifle—­your rifle, now,” he added, and the giant grinned in delight.  They reached the airship without further incident, and, after a cup of tea, Tom took out the exposed films and put a fresh roll in his camera, ready for whatever new might happen.

“Where is your next stopping place, Tom?” asked Ned, as they sat in the main room of the airship that evening, talking over the events of the day.  They had decided to stay all night anchored on the ground, and start off in the morning.

“I hardly know, answered the young inventor.  “I am going to set the camera to-night, near a small spring I saw, to get some pictures of deer coming to drink.  I may get a picture of a lion or a tiger attacking them.  If I could it would be another fine film.  To-morrow I think we will start for Switzerland.  But now I’m going to get the camera ready for a night exposure.

“Bless my check book!” cried Mr. Damon.  “You don’t mean to say that you are going to stay out at a spring again, Tom, and run the chance of a tiger getting you.”

“No, I’m merely going to set the camera, attach the light and let it work automatically this time.  I’ve put in an extra long roll of film, for I’m going to keep it going for a long while, and part of the time there may be no animals there to take pictures of.  No, I’m not going to sit out to-night.  I’m too tired.  I’ll conceal the camera in the bushes so it won’t be damaged if there’s a fight.  Then, as I said, we’ll start for Switzerland to-morrow.”

“Switzerland!” cried Ned.  “What in the world do you want to go make a big jump like that for?  And what do you expect to get in that mountain land?”

“I’m going to try for a picture of an avalanche,” said Tom.  “Mr. Period wants one, if I can get it.  It is quite a jump, but then we’ll be flying over civilized countries most of the time, and if any accident happens we can go down and easily make repairs.  We can also get gasolene for the motor, though I have quite a supply in the tanks, and perhaps enough for the entire trip.  At the same time we won’t take any chances.  So we’ll be off for Switzerland in the morning.

“I think some avalanche pictures will be great, if you can get them,” remarked Mr. Nestor.  “But, Tom, you know those big slides of ice, snow and earth aren’t made to order.”

“Oh, I know,” agreed the young inventor with a smile.  “I’ll just have to take my chances, and wait until one happens.”

“Bless my insurance policy!” exclaimed Mr. Damon.  “And when it does happen, Tom, are you going to stand in front of it, and snap-shot it?”

“Indeed I’m not.  This business is risky and dangerous enough, without looking for trouble.  I’m going to the mountain region, and hover around in the air, until we see an avalanche ‘happen’ if that is the right word.  Then I’ll focus the camera on it, and the films and machinery will do the rest.”