When the supposed representative of the Naval Board tried to advance up the plank, the giant stooped, raised both plank and man, and shook the latter off to the ground as though he had been a beetle. Then the last of the crew came aboard and Koku drew in the plank and closed the door. Every other arrangement had been made. The propellers began to spin. The hawsers had been cast off. The great flying boat began bumping over the field. They could not hear the foreign looking fellow’s voice, but they saw that he ran after the flying boat, screaming, for several hundred yards. Then the _Winged Arrow_ gathered speed enough for her jump-off, and she rose heavily, slanting upward at a good pitch, and wheeled away toward the sea. “If that fellow does represent a Government Bureau, we’ll hear about it when we get back,” said Ned, somewhat worried. “Don’t bother your head about that,” rejoined Tom. “There are more anxieties than that on my mind.” Tom had bidden good-bye to Mary Nestor and her mother early that morning. “Bring him back to me, Tom,” Mrs. Nestor had murmured, through her tears. “I know you will do your best, Tom, dear,” whispered Mary. “I’ll do my best for you, Mary,” replied Tom softly. And he lingered a little over his good-bye to the girl, even though they both realized the need for haste. Had the young inventor needed any inspiration for the journey, he would have gained it from the thought that these two helpless women were utterly dependent upon his good offices and that they believed he would be able to find and rescue the castaways on the giant iceberg. The venture was one that was bound to bring to the surface of Tom Swift’s character all his better and braver qualities. He did not take this trip in the big flying boat without fully understanding what he was likely to be up against before he returned home—if, indeed, he safely made the return! Twenty-four hours before, he had made up his mind to take the journey. During that time he had put every agency at his disposal at work to the end that the party should be amply provisioned and well secured against accident of every kind. Of course, fresh supplies of gasoline and oil could be obtained at Reykjavik. Food, as well, could be bought there. But the young inventor did not leave Shopton and home without seeing personally that every man with him was well clothed, that in the cabin there were all the simple medical remedies usually supplied to a sailing ship, and that there were arms and ammunition for every man. Koku insisted on bringing his long spear and a great war club. Ned wanted to forbid this display of savage implements, but Tom allowed his servant to bring the weapons in the use of which he was versed. “Those Icelanders will think we are American aborigines instead of civilized beings,” grumbled Ned.