The Motor Boys Overland | Page 3

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 back and find out."
The four lads leaped from their machine and ran back past the load of hay. The farmer was rapidly walking about in a circle, wringing his hands and crying:
"He's killed! He's killed! I know he is!"
With rather anxious hearts the boys hurried around to the other side of the big pile of dried grass. As they reached the place they saw a man attired in an automobile suit, with big goggles on, wiggle out from