The Motor Boys Overland | Page 4

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 the
mass of hay. He pulled several wisps from his hair and then saw the
boys.
"Did you shoot right through the pile and come out on the other side?"
he asked.
"We ran around it," explained Bob. "We beat you," he added, not
without pride.
"So I see. It came pretty near being the end of all of us. You're a plucky
lad. I don't mind being beaten by you. I thought I had a good car, but
yours is better."
"Ours is much lighter; I guess that's why we went ahead," returned
Jerry, willing to concede something to a vanquished rival. "But are you
hurt?"
The man carefully felt of different parts of his body. Then he took off
his goggles and looked over as much as he could see of himself.
"I don't seem to be," he said, finally, with a laugh. "It was like falling
into a feather bed to land in that hay-pile the way I did. That's all that
saved me. I wonder how my machine stood the emergency brake."
He examined his car carefully, and was apparently satisfied that no
injury had been done by the sudden stopping of it.

"Where is he?" asked the farmer, suddenly appearing from behind the
hay. "Is he dead?" And then he seemed to realize his error and joined in
the laugh that followed.
"No, I'm not dead yet," replied the owner of the green car. "Well," he
went on, "I must be going. Are you boys coming along? If you are, no
more races."
"We'll have to go back to Cresville," answered Bob. "We promised to
return for supper."
The man bade the boys good-by and soon the big, green dragon was
throbbing down the road in a cloud of dust. The boys, finding they
could not help the farmer in his trouble, got in their machine and,
promising to send help from the first farmhouse they passed, they left
the owner of the hay and were soon speeding toward Cresville.
"Isn't this glorious!" exclaimed Jerry, as the auto sped along. "I wish we
could take a long trip."
"Why can't we?" asked Ned.
"We talked of a tour when we found we had a chance to get a car," put
in Chunky. "I for one would like to go out West."
"Ho for the West!" piped up Andy. "Over the plains -- herds of cattle --
cowboys in chase -- rattlesnakes and horned toads -- sandy deserts --
Indians -- bang! Shoot 'em up! Lots of excitement -- take me along --
whoop!"
"Easy!" pleaded Jerry. "One thing at a time, Andy. Haven't we had
excitement enough for one day?"
"We ought to make a strike to go on a western trip, though," spoke Ned,
in serious tones. "Here we have a car that we could cross the continent
in. Let's speak about it at home. It can't do any harm. Maybe the folks
will let us go."

"It's worth trying for," said Jerry. "What do you say, Chunky?"
"I'm with you," replied Bob. "It will be the best sport ever. But
wouldn't we have to wait until next spring? It's fall, and if we go West
it may be very cold, with lots of snow soon."
"We can bear off to the south," said Jerry.
"Sure enough," agreed Chunky.
That night, when the automobile had been safely put away in the barn
at Bob's house, three anxious boys broached the subject to their
respective parents. So insistent were they that it was not long before a
general council was arranged. Mrs. Hopkins and Mr. Slade were
induced to call at Mr. Baker's house, where, with the three boys, the
whole subject was gone over.
"I'm afraid it's too much of an undertaking, said Mr. Baker.
"That's my idea " agreed Mr. Slade, and Mrs. Hopkins nodded to
indicate that that was her view.
The boys set up a chorus of pleadings. The parents had many
objections. The distance was too great, the boys did not know enough
about automobiles, they would lose their way and break down far from
help. In fact, so many negative reasons were given that it looked as if
the plan would not go through.
"Will you please wait ten minutes before you make a final decision?"
asked Jerry, appealing to