The Motor Boys Overland | Page 2

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threatening vengeance on the three boys, whom he accused as being
responsible for the fact that he had to leave home.
But the Motor Boys, as they now called themselves, cared little for this
in view of the pleasures they anticipated when they got the automobile.
It had come in due time; a fine affair, with all the latest improvements
and attachments, and was a car capable of making a trip almost

anywhere.
The company from whom the auto was purchased sent an expert out to
Cresville with it, to instruct the boys in the running of the machine.
They learned readily, and were soon able to make short trips on the
country roads surrounding the village. This was the first time they had
made an extended trip, and the drawing of lots had given Bob the
chance to drive the auto, with the result that he nearly came to grief
when the dog unexpectedly ran across the road.
For about half an hour the three chums and Andy rested in the shade. It
was a pleasant fall afternoon, and though the sun was warm there was a
cool breeze.
"Whose turn to crank her up?" asked Bob, for, of course, it could not be
expected of him, in charge of the steering wheel, to start the engine.
"I guess it's mine," came from Ned, with a sort of groan. His arm still
ached from the previous turning of the flywheel.
"I'll do it -- lots of fun -- first time I ever had a chance -- let me -- good
for my muscle -- whoop!" exclaimed Andy, bustling from the car.
"Oh, it's good for your muscle, all right enough," observed Ned. "Go on,
I'll not stop you."
It was harder work than Andy had anticipated, but he managed to give
the crank a few turns and spin the heavy flywheel around. Bob
switched on the spark, turned the gasolene into the cylinders, and soon
there was a throbbing that told the engine had started. Andy jumped to
one side and nearly toppled over.
"Did you think I'd run you down?" asked Bob.
"I don't know anything about autos," answered Andy.
"She can't go until I connect the speed-gears," explained Bob, with
something of a superior air. "Hop in, Andy!"

Andy climbed back to his rear seat, Bob threw the lever forward to first
speed, and the car, moving slowly at first, but with increasing swiftness,
started down the road.
"Look out for dogs!" advised Ned.
"We don't want roast chicken for supper, so you needn't bother to kill
any," came from Jerry.
"I can steer as good as either of you," exclaimed the stout lad. "You
nearly hit a man the other day, Jerry, and I guess you've forgotten, Ned,
how you broke down one of Mr. Smith's shade trees. I'm not as bad as
that."
Honk! honk! sounded down the road in the rear of the boys.
"Here comes another auto," said Jerry. "Keep over to one side, Bob."
Honk! honk! This time it was Bob who blew his horn to let the
oncomers know some one was ahead of them. The noise of the
approaching car sounded nearer.
"Better keep well over, Chunky," advised Ned.
"I'm not going to give 'em more than half the road," answered Bob,
firmly. "If they want a race they can have it, too."
He threw the third-speed clutch into place, and the boys' car shot ahead
so suddenly that Andy was nearly toppled out of his seat. The red auto
dashed down the road.
Behind it, at a swift pace, there came a big, green affair, almost twice
the size of the Cresville machine. It was going at a great pace, a lone
man occupying the steering seat, and no one being in back. As the
green car shot past the red one, the solitary rider gave three toots to his
horn. Bob answered, and then, before the other boys could stop him he
advanced his spark, turned on more gasolene, and was away after the
green dragon like a streak of red fire.

"What are you going to do?" yelled Ned.
"See if I can beat him!" exclaimed Bob.
"You're crazy! That's a ninety horse-power car and ours is only forty!"
"I'm going to try," repeated Bob, between his clenched teeth.
It looked like a hopeless undertaking. The green car was a quarter of a
mile ahead before Bob could get his machine speeded up. When he did,
however, the new auto ran along swiftly and easily.
Bob shut off his power temporarily and then, with a quick yank, pulled
the lever to full speed ahead. Then he turned on the spark and gasolene.
The red auto seemed to double its already swift motion.
The car swayed from side