This time Tom Swift miscalculated the size of the storm, or else it suddenly developed larger proportions after they entered it. No sooner had the _Blackbird_ pushed her beak into the bank of black clouds than Tom awoke to the realization that they were in considerable danger. Not only had they rashly entered the area of a thunderstorm, but a hail storm as well. In another instant the _Blackbird_ was all but overwhelmed by a fierce wind while big hailstones fell on the wings with such force that one or two of them ripped through the stout fabric. The thunder was like the sound of big guns in the ears of the travelers, while the lightning hissed about them in blinding sheets and jagged forks until it seemed a miracle that they were not struck. “This is awful!” cried Ned. “You’d better take the wheel, Tom!” Tom thought this himself. He bent his head to the blast and endeavored to ascertain the direction of the storm that he might steer out of it. Koku did not seem at all afraid. In fact, he always liked a storm, for it seemed to give him a chance to pit his strength against the elements. He laughed and shouted and caught up handfuls of hailstones from his cockpit, throwing them over the side. “Stop it!” commanded Tom. “We’ve got trouble enough without that. Sit still!” For the giant was moving about so that he endangered the craft, tossed as it was in the furious wind. However, Tom Swift had not managed aeroplanes several years without learning how to handle them in fair weather and foul, and in a short time he took the _Blackbird_ out of the storm and up above the burst of almost tropical fury. “Whew!” whistled Tom, when he could relax for a moment. “That was a humdinger!” “You said it!” echoed Ned. “Do you think we’re damaged any?” “Can’t tell. It will be best, I think, to make a landing and look ourselves over. It will soon be time to tie up for the night, anyhow, and we might as well go down now.” “Let’s take a last look for the blue machine,” suggested Ned. Carefully he scanned the heavens above them and the earth below them for a sight of the robbers, but saw nothing. Then, having passed far beyond the thunderstorm, they made a descent in a lonely field where they passed the night. It was about ten o’clock the following morning and they had been under way for about an hour when Tom, using the glasses while Ned ran the _Blackbird_, suddenly uttered an exclamation. “What is it?” asked his chum eagerly. “The blue machine, I think!” cried Tom. “I think I see her hidden down there under some trees. Circle a bit to the left, Ned.” When this had been done, Tom meanwhile looking down, the young inventor cried: “There she is! We’ve spotted them. The blue machine is down there! Now for a trick!” CHAPTER XXIV A NIGHT WATCH