The Motor Boys Overland | Page 2

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 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,