“But can’t we stop him?” asked Ned.

“I’m going to try!” exclaimed Tom grimly.

“Here he comes,” spoke Mr. Damon quickly.  “I wonder what he wants?”

Hank Delby had started toward the big hut that sheltered our friends, while the gathered crowd of curious giants looked on and wondered what the arrival of two white parties so close together could mean.

“Well, what do you want?” asked Tom, when, his rival had come within speaking distance.

“There’s no use beating about the bush with you, Tom Swift,” was the frank answer.  “I may as well out with it.  I came after a giant, and I’m going to get one for Mr. Waydell.”

“Then you took advantage of our trail, and followed us?” asked the young inventor.

“Oh, you can put it that way if you like,” replied Delby calmly.  “I have followed you, and a hard time I’ve had of it.  I tried to do it quietly, but you got on to my tricks.  However it doesn’t matter.  I’m here now, and I’m going to beat you out if I can.”

“I remember now!” exclaimed Ned whispering in Tom’s ear, “he was disguised as one of the mule drivers and you fired him because he had a revolver.  Don’t you remember, Tom?”

“That’s right!” exclaimed the young inventor as he noted the face and form of Delby more closely.  Then our hero added:  “You played a low-down trick, Mr. Delby, and it won’t do you any good.  I caught you trying to sneak along in my company and I’ll catch you again.  I’m here first, and I’ve got the best right to try and get a giant for Mr. Preston, and if you had any idea of fair play—­”

“All’s fair in this business, Tom Swift,” was the quick answer.  “I’m going to do my best to beat you, and I expect you to do your best to beat me.  I can’t speak any fairer than that.  It’s war between us, from now on, and you might as well know it.  One thing I will promise you, though, if there’s any danger of you or your party getting hurt by these big men I’ll fight on your side.  But I guess they are too gentle to fight.”

“We can look after ourselves,” declared Tom.  “And since it’s to be war between us look out for yourself.”

“Don’t worry!” exclaimed Tom’s rival with a laugh.  “I’ve gone through a lot to get here, and I’m not going to give up without a struggle.  I guess—­”

But he did not finish his sentence for at that moment Oom, the big hunting giant, came up behind him, tapped him on the shoulder, and pointed to the king’s hut, motioning to indicate that Mr. Delby was wanted there.

“Very good,” said the circus agent in what he tried to make sound like a jolly voice, “I’m to call on his majesty; am I?  Here’s where I beat you to it, Tom Swift.”

Tom did not answer, but there was a worried look on his face, as he turned to join his friends in the big hut.  And, as he looked from a window, and saw Delby being led into the presence of Kosk, Tom could hear the strains of the big phonograph he had presented to the king.