“Yes, I didn’t think we’d need them, for I believe peaceable means are the best to use on natives.  But if there’s a war, and we have to defend ourselves against the tribes, we’ll take along something that will do more damage than an ordinary rifle, and yet I can regulate it so that it will only stun, and not kill.”

“That’s the stuff, Tom.  No use in being needlessly cruel.  How many will you take?”

“Two or three.  We may need ’em all.”

A little later the two lads returned to the library where Mr. Damon, Mr. Swift and the circus man were anxiously awaiting them.  Mr. Preston looked curiously at several objects which Tom and Ned carried.  The objects looked like guns but were different from any the giant-seeker had seen.

“What are they?” he asked Tom.

“Electric rifles.  One of my inventions,” and Tom showed how the weapon worked.  Those of you who have read the volume entitled, “Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle” will remember this curious weapon.  It was worked by a stored charge of magnetism of the wireless kind.  By this a concentrated globule of electricity was projected from the muzzle, and it could be made strong or weak at the will of the marksman.  It could be made so powerful that it would totally annihilate a whale, as Tom had once proved, or it could be made so mild that it would put an enemy, or several of them, to sleep almost as gently as some narcotic, and they would awaken after several hours, little the worse for their experience.

A charge of electricity as powerful as five thousand volts could be concentrated into a small wireless globule the size of a bullet, and this would fly through space, or even through solid objects until, reaching the limit of the range set, would strike the object aimed at.  With his wonderful electric rifle Tom had not only killed elephants, and other big game, but fought off the red pygmies of Africa.

“And we may have a use for it in South America,” he added as he explained the workings to Mr. Preston.

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t back out,” commented the circus man, “and this may come in mighty handy.  I’ll feel easier about you now, Tom, when I know you have some electric rifles with you.”

The circus man was told of what Eradicate had said to Andy, but he was of the opinion that no harm would result from it.

“As far as I can learn,” went on Mr. Preston, “my old rival Waydell has given up the giant idea.  He is looking for a two-headed crocodile, said to be somewhere along the Nile river, and he’s fitting out an expedition there I understand.  I guess we won’t be bothered with him.  But the giant for mine!  If I get that sort of an attraction his two-headed crocodile won’t be in it.  I hope you have luck, Tom Swift.”

The last details of the expedition were considered.  Nothing seemed to have been left undone, and though carrying the electric rifles would make a little more baggage, no one minded that.