The Motor Boys Overland | Page 3

to side, and the boys, except Bob, who had a
firm grip of the wheel, were bounced up into the air, again and again.
Bob had on big goggles, and, with head bent low, was watching the
road like a hawk ready to pounce on a chicken.
"We're gaining on him!" he muttered, and he tooted the horn. Back a
faint, answering blast came.
Indeed, it was evident that the red auto, though a smaller and less
powerful machine, was creeping up on its rival. The lone chauffeur
glanced back, saw the pursuing car, and turned on full power.
For a few moments he increased his lead. But Bob advanced his spark
further, and turned on a trifle more of gasolene. The red auto once more
leaped forward.
"We've got him!" cried Bob. "He can't get another inch out of his, and I
haven't used the accelerator pedal yet. We'll beat him!"
"If we don't all break our necks!" exclaimed Jerry, holding to his seat.
"Terrible fast -- takes your breath -- shakes the liver-pin out of you --
loosens all your teeth -- great sport -- smash the machine -- never say

die -- don't give up the ship -- whoop!" yelled Andy, as he slid down to
the bottom of the car, unable any longer to remain upright.
Slowly the red car crept up on the green one. The dust arose in clouds
about both machines. The autos swayed from the terrific speed, but
Bob held the wheel firm and was ready to shut off power and apply the
emergency brake in a second. The man in front again glanced back, and
did not seem to relish being passed by mere boys in a smaller car than
his. He was making desperate efforts to draw away.
The distance between the machines lessened. Bob was watching his
opportunity.
"Now we've got him!" he cried. "Here we go!"
He pushed down the accelerator pedal, used only to give a momentary
burst of speed. The red car shot forward and the front wheels almost
lapped the rear ones of the machine in the lead.
There was a slight turn to the road, just where Bob had decided to pass
his rival. A clump of trees hid the view, excepting for a short distance
ahead. Just as the boys' auto was on the point of making the turn and
passing the green one, Ned glanced up and gave a shout of terror.
Right in front was a load of hay, overturned in the road, and both cars,
at full speed, were dashing straight for it!

CHAPTER II
HO FOR THE WEST!
"Put on the brake!" yelled Ned.
"Shut off the power!" shouted Jerry.
A frightened cry came from the farmer whose load of fodder had

overturned in the road. He was unhitching his horses, and jumped to
one side as he saw two big autos bearing down on him.
"You're in for a spill, lads!" called the man in the green car. At that
instant he applied his emergency brake and shut off the power. His car
came to such a sudden stop that he was thrown from his seat, high into
the air.
Bob seemed unable, from the very terror of fright, to make a move to
stop the auto he was steering, and clung to the wheel like grim death.
"Put on the brake!" yelled Ned again. "We'll be killed!"
The load of hay was not ten feet in advance. Bob gave the wheel a
sudden twist. The red car shot to one side, out into a ditch along the
road. It skidded on two wheels, the boys were nearly thrown out, and
bounced high in the air.
With another quick twist, Bob sent the car straight ahead. Then another
turn of the wheel and he was back in the road again!
He had passed the obstruction, going between it and the green auto, and
had reached the highway in safety after as daring a bit of steering as
ever a boy undertook. Then he shut off the power and applied the
brakes hard, the car coming to a stop with a groan and screech as the
emergency band gripped the axle.
"Whew! That was a close shave!" came from Jerry, as he drew a long
breath.
"A little too near for comfort!" was Ned's opinion.
"Bet your life!" was all Andy could say, his rapid fire of words failing
to discharge this time.
"I thought it was the only thing to do," remarked the stout steersman. "I
was afraid to stop too suddenly, and I figured we just had room enough
to get through. But I wouldn't do it again."

"Speaking of sudden stops, I wonder what has become of the man in
the green car?" spoke Jerry. "We must go