“There he goes into that clump of bushes.”

“I see him.  He’ll soon come out,” and Tom flashed the big light on the fleeing giant to whom fear seemed to lend more than wings.

But even a giant, long legged though he be, and powerful, cannot compete with a modern airship—­certainly not such a one as Tom Swift had.

“We’re almost up to him, Tom!” cried Ned a little later.

“Yes!  I’m keeping track of him.  Oh, why doesn’t he know enough to stop?  Koku!  Koku!” called Tom.  “It’s all right!  I’m in the airship!  This is a searchlight, not a comet.  Wait for us!”

They could see the giant glance back over his shoulder at them, and, when he saw how close the gleaming light was he made a desperate spurt.  But it was about his last, for he was a heavy man, and did not have any too good wind.

“We’ll have him in another minute,” predicted Tom.  “Give me a bit more speed, Ned.”

The lad who was managing the Falcon swung the accelerating lever over another notch, and the craft surged ahead.  Then Ned executed a neat trick.  Swinging the craft around in a half circle, he suddenly opened the power full, and so got ahead of Koku.  The next minute, sliding down to earth, Tom and Ned came to a halt, awaiting the oncoming of Koku, who, finding the glaring light full in his face, came to a halt.

“Why, Koku, what’s the matter?” asked Tom kindly, as he turned off the powerful beams, and switched on some ordinary incandescents, that were on the outside of the craft.  They made an illumination by which the giant could make out his master and the latter’s chum.  “Why did you run, Koku?” asked Tom.

“Eradicate say to,” was the simple answer.  “He say comet come to eat up earth.  Koku no want to be eaten.”

“Eradicate is a big baby!” exclaimed Tom.  “See, there is no danger.  It is only my new searchlight,” and once more the young inventor switched it on.  Koku jumped back, but when he saw that nothing happened he did not run.

“It’s harmless,” said Tom, and briefly he explained how the big lantern worked.

Koku was reassured now, and consented to enter the airship.  He was rather tired from his run, and was glad to sit down.

“Where to now; back home?” asked Ned, as they made ready to start.

“No, I was thinking of going over to Mr. Damon’s house.  I’d like him to see my searchlight.  And I want to find out if he’s going with us on the trip to the border.”

“Of course he will!” predicted Ned.  “He hasn’t missed a trip with you in a long while.  He’ll go if his wife will let him,” and both boys laughed, for Mr. Damon’s wife was nearly always willing to let him do as he liked, though the odd man had an idea that she was violently opposed to his trips.

Once more the Falcon went aloft, and again the searchlight played about.  It brought out with startling distinctness the details of the towns and villages over which they passed, and distant landmarks were also made plainly visible.