The Motor Boys on the Pacific | Page 5

He's a friend of mine, and we
have business dealings together-- that is his road and my road," and Mr.
Hitter spoke as though he owned the line of which he was the Cresville
agent.
"That'll be good," said Bob. "Maybe it will hurry matters up. We're
much obliged to you, Mr. Hitter."
"That's what we are," chimed in Jerry and Ned.
The boys lost no time in sending in their claim. Then there was nothing
to do but to wait. They knew it would take some days, and they did not
expect an answer in less than a week, while Mr. Hitter told them that if

they got money in payment for the destroyed boat within three months
they would be lucky.
"Well, since the Dartaway's gone, I guess we'll have to go back to the
automobile for a change," suggested Jerry one afternoon, early in
September, about a week before school was to open. "Let's take a little
jaunt out in the country, stay a couple of days, and come back, all ready
to pitch in and study."
"Fine!" cried Bob. "We'll stay at a hotel where they have good
dinners--"
"Of course!" retorted Ned. "That's Chunky's first idea-- something to
eat. I've been waiting for him to say something like that."
The boys were at Jerry's house, talking over various matters. The auto
was kept in an unused barn back of his home, but, since the advent of
the motor boat, had not seen much service, though occasionally the
boys went out in it. Now, it was likely to come into active use again.
"Let's look the machine over," proposed Jerry. "It may need some
repairs. It got pretty hard usage, especially in our trips to Mexico and
across the plains."
The boys soon found that, beyond two tires which needed repairs, and
some minor adjustments to the engine, the car was in good shape. It
was in running order and, at Bob's suggestion, they got in it and made a
trip to the town garage, where they intended to leave it to be
overhauled.
As they were turning a corner, near the automobile shop, they heard a
sudden "Honk-honk!" that startled them. Jerry, who was at the steering
wheel, shut off the power and applied the emergency brake.
And it was only just in time for, a moment later, from a cross street,
there shot out a big green touring car, very powerful, as they could tell
by the throbbing of the engine. It almost grazed the mudguards of the
machine in which the three boys were, and, skidded dangerously. Then,

with what seemed an impudent, warning toot of the horn, it swung
around and sped off down the road.
"That was a close shave!" remarked Jerry, as he released the brake.
"I should say yes," agreed Bob. "That was a six-cylinder car. Bur-r-r-r!
If she'd hit us--" He did not finish, but the boys knew what he meant.
They proceeded to the garage, leaving their machine to be repaired. It
would be ready for them the next day, the man said, and they arranged
to call for it, and go for a trip in the country.
"Let's go to Riverton," suggested Bob, naming a summer resort about a
hundred miles away. "The season is just about to close there, and, as it
isn't crowded, we can get better attention and--"
"Better meals, he means," finished Ned. "All right, Chunky, we'll go."
"It wouldn't be a bad idea," agreed Jerry. "We could make it in one day
easily, and wouldn't have to hurry. We could stay there a couple of
days, making little side strips, and come back Saturday. That would put
us in good shape for Monday, when school opens."
There was no dissension from this plan, and, having secured the
consent of their parents, the boys, early the next day, started off on their
journey. It was a short one, compared to those they had been in the
habit of taking, but they did not have time for a longer jaunt.
They arrived at Riverton in the afternoon, having stopped on the road
for dinner. They found the place rather livelier than they expected, for
there had been an automobile meet the day previous, including a big
race, and several lovers of the sport still remained, for the weather was
very pleasant. The sheds about the hotel were filled with all sorts of
cars, so that the boys had hardly room to store their machine.
"This is a little more exciting than we counted on," remarked Jerry, as
he and his chums entered the hotel to register. "I'm afraid we'll not get
such good attention as Bob thought."

"Oh, it's all the better," was the answer of the stout youth. "They'll have
all the more to eat,