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diff --git a/42748-0.txt b/42748-0.txt index 1d6f283..7a4695d 100644 --- a/42748-0.txt +++ b/42748-0.txt @@ -1,37 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Motor Boys Overland, by Clarence Young - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: The Motor Boys Overland - Or, A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - - -Author: Clarence Young - - - -Release Date: May 20, 2013 [eBook #42748] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND*** - - -Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42748 *** Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. @@ -6798,362 +6765,4 @@ Transcriber's note: --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND*** - - -******* This file should be named 42748-0.txt or 42748-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/2/7/4/42748 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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\ No newline at end of file +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42748 *** diff --git a/42748-0.zip b/42748-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index db89e62..0000000 --- a/42748-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/42748-h.zip b/42748-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 17ad3dd..0000000 --- a/42748-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/42748-h/42748-h.htm b/42748-h/42748-h.htm index 2ce7269..9a80254 100644 --- a/42748-h/42748-h.htm +++ b/42748-h/42748-h.htm @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Motor Boys Overland, by Clarence Young</title> <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> <style type="text/css"> @@ -228,23 +228,8 @@ th { </style> </head> <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42748 ***</div> <h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Motor Boys Overland, by Clarence Young</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></p> -<p>Title: The Motor Boys Overland</p> -<p> Or, A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune</p> -<p>Author: Clarence Young</p> -<p>Release Date: May 20, 2013 [eBook #42748]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND***</p> -<p> </p> -<h3>E-text prepared by Donald Cummings<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> <p> </p> <hr class="full" /> <p> </p> @@ -9103,360 +9088,6 @@ wish to go into business will want this volume.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 42748-h.txt or 42748-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/2/7/4/42748">http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/7/4/42748</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed.</p> - -<p> -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: The Motor Boys Overland - Or, A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - - -Author: Clarence Young - - - -Release Date: May 20, 2013 [eBook #42748] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND*** - - -Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 42748-h.htm or 42748-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42748/42748-h/42748-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42748/42748-h.zip) - - -Transcriber's note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=). - - - - - -[Illustration: FOR NEARLY TEN MILES THE AUTOS WERE CLOSE TOGETHER.] - - -THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - -Or -A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - -by - -CLARENCE YOUNG - -Author of "The Motor Boys," "The Motor Boys in Mexico," etc. - - - - - - - -New York -Cupples & Leon Co. - - - * * * * * * - -BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG - - -=MOTOR BOYS SERIES= - -12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid - - THE MOTOR BOYS - Or Chums Through Thick and Thin - - THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - Or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - Or the Secret of the Buried City - - THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS - Or The Hermit of Lost Lake - - THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT - Or The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway - - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - Or The Mystery of the Lighthouse - - -=THE JACK RANGER SERIES= - -12mo. Finely Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS - Or The Rivals of Washington Hall - - JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP - Or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES - Or Track, Gridiron and Diamond - - (Other volumes in preparation) - - * * * * * * - -Copyright, 1906, by -Cupples & Leon Company - -THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER. PAGE - I. AN AUTOMOBILE RACE 1 - II. HO FOR THE WEST! 10 - III. THE OLD MILL ON FIRE 18 - IV. A CHASE AFTER A RASCAL 26 - V. THE MYSTERY OF THE MINER 34 - VI. A HOLD-UP 42 - VII. A FRUITLESS PURSUIT 49 - VIII. IN THE WINDY CITY 56 - IX. A SHOT IN THE DARK 64 - X. ENCIRCLED BY COWBOYS 72 - XI. CAPTURING A HORSE THIEF 79 - XII. THE AUTO ON FIRE 87 - XIII. AT DEAD MAN'S GULCH 95 - XIV. NODDY STEALS A MARCH 103 - XV. IN THE NICK OF TIME 111 - XVI. A RUSH OF GOLD SEEKERS 119 - XVII. OVER THE MOUNTAINS 126 - XVIII. A TRICK OF THE ENEMY 133 - XIX. THE AUTO STOLEN 140 - XX. ATTACKED BY INDIANS 147 - XXI. OVER A CLIFF 154 - XXII. THE CHASE 161 - XXIII. WRECKED 169 - XXIV. FORWARD ONCE MORE 176 - XXV. A RACE TO THE MINE 183 - XXVI. GOLD! 191 - XXVII. BESIEGED AT THE MINE 198 - XXVIII. WINNING THE CLAIM 205 - XXIX. THE FIGHT AT THE MINE 212 - XXX. AN ESCAPE--CONCLUSION 220 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - FOR NEARLY TEN MILES THE AUTOS WERE CLOSE TOGETHER. - “TAKE THAT!” NED CRIED. - THEY RUSHED TO ONE SIDE, THUNDERING PAST THE AUTO. - THE SAVAGES BEGAN CIRCLING ABOUT THE MACHINE. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -_Dear Boys_: - -Here we have the second volume of "The Motor Boys Series," a line of -books relating to the doings of some bright and up-to-date youths, on -wheels, at home and abroad. - -In the first volume of the series, called "The Motor Boys," the writer -told how Bob, Ned and Jerry won several important races, including that -which brought to them a much-wished-for prize, a grand touring car. - -The car won, there was nothing to do but to take a long trip, and in -this present book, "The Motor Boys Overland," are given the particulars -of a journey in the automobile to the great West. On the way the boys -fall in with an old miner, who has the secret of a lost gold mine of -great value. The lads decide to take the miner to the lost mine in their -touring car, and the long and perilous journey among the mountains is -begun. Enemies also hear of the wonderful lost mine, and then begins a -wild race, to see who shall get there first and claim the riches. - -This "Motor Boys Series" will be continued by a third volume, to be -called "The Motor Boys in Mexico." I earnestly hope the boys will find -the stories to their liking. I can assure all it has been a pleasure -to pen them, for the writer is something of an automobile enthusiast -himself, and some of the experiences on the road have been taken from -life. - -CLARENCE YOUNG. - -_March 22, 1906._ - - - - -THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -AN AUTOMOBILE RACE. - - -There was a whizz of rubber-tired wheels, a cloud of dust and the -frightened yelping of a dog as a big, red touring automobile shot down -the road. - -"You nearly ran over him, Chunky!" exclaimed Jerry Hopkins, to the stout -youth at his side. - -"That's what you did, Bob Baker!" chimed in Ned Slade, leaning over from -the rear seat of the auto. "I thought you said you were an expert." - -"I didn't come within five feet of the pup," answered Bob Baker, giving -the steering wheel a twist to avoid a chicken that scooted across the -country road. - -"Never mind--miss as good as a mile--we certainly are skating -along--never say die--hit a dog, biff! bang! up in the air--down -again--bust a tire--break your leg--kill the animal--off again--whoop!" - -"Say, Andy Rush, if you're going to talk as fast as that the first time -Chunky speeds the machine, I'm going to get out!" cried Jerry, with a -laugh. "There's excitement enough without you making any more." - -"All right, fellows, I'll keep quiet," agreed Andy, who was a small, -nervous chap, never still for a moment, and so full of energy that he -talked, as Jerry sometimes said, "like a house afire." - -Bob leaned forward and pulled one of the levers. The auto slowed down, -as the low-speed gear came into play, and bowled along under a stretch -of shady trees. - -"Fifteen miles in thirty minutes," remarked the stout lad, pulling out -his watch. "Not so bad for a starter, eh, Ned?" - -"The machine certainly can go!" observed Jerry. - -"I didn't have the full-speed lever on, either," remarked Bob, who was -called "Chunky" by his companions, because of his fleshiness. He turned -off the gasolene as the auto came under a large chestnut tree, and the -four boys stretched out comfortably on the leather-upholstered seats. - -There was Bob Baker, a lad of fifteen years, son of Andrew Baker, a rich -banker; Ned Slade, sixteen years old, the only son of Aaron Slade, a -department store proprietor, and Jerry Hopkins, the son of a widow, Mrs. -Julia Hopkins. - -These three were faithful chums, seldom apart. With them was a mutual -friend, Andy Rush. All the boys lived in the village of Cresville, not -far from Boston. - -The three first named had, the week before the story opens, come into -possession of a fine touring car, which they had won as the first prize -of a motor-cycle meet, given by the Cresville Athletic Club, as related -in the first volume of this series, entitled "The Motor Boys." - -In that was told how they had incurred the enmity of Noddy Nixon, a town -bully, who had robbed the mill of Amos Judson of one thousand dollars, -which crime the Motor Boys were instrumental in fastening on Noddy. - -In consequence of the pending disclosure of his guilt, Noddy had fled -from town, a short time before the races, in his father's automobile. -Bill Berry, a town ne'er-do-well, accompanied him. Not long after Noddy -had fled in the terror of his guilt being found out, he sent back a -letter threatening vengeance on the three boys, whom he accused as being -responsible for the fact that he had to leave home. - -But the Motor 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, 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 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 the trio of parents. - -They agreed, wondering what he was about to do. Jerry got his hat and -hurried from Mr. Baker's house. In a little while he returned, all out -of breath. - -"He'll be here in five minutes," said the boy. - -"Who?" asked Mr. Slade. - -"Mr. Wakefield." Jerry referred to Horace Wakefield, an instructor at -the Athletic Club, who was quite a friend of the boys, and who himself -had recently purchased an automobile. He lived near Mr. Baker. - -"What's all this I hear about a trip to the West these boys are going to -take?" asked Mr. Wakefield, a few minutes later, coming into the parlor -where the conference was going on. - -"You mean the trip they think they are going to take," corrected Mr. -Slade, with a laugh. "I suppose Jerry told you it was all settled." - -"To be honest, he wanted me to come over and settle it for him and his -chums," replied the instructor. "He said there was some doubt about the -feasibility of making the trip." - -Mr. Baker explained how matters stood. He and the other parents were -willing the boys should have a good time, he said, but did not want them -to run into danger. - -"Do you think they could make a trip away out West in their car?" asked -Mr. Baker. - -"From what I know of the boys, and from the build of their car, I have -no doubt it could be done with perfect safety, as far as ordinary -conditions are concerned," said Mr. Wakefield. "Of course, there will be -some few troubles, but none that cannot be overcome with a little work. -I think the trip is perfectly possible. In fact, you know, autos have -gone clear across the continent." - -"Then you think we ought to let the boys go?" asked Mr. Slade. - -"I--think--you--ought to," replied the instructor, with purposed -deliberateness, smiling at the anxious lads. - -"Hurrah!" yelled Bob, forgetting that he was in the house. - -"Lucky I thought to go and get him," spoke Jerry to Ned. - -"I might add," went on Mr. Wakefield, "that I am going to make a trip as -far as Chicago. If you decide to let the boys go, they could accompany -me that far, at least. It would be a good experience for them." - -"Oh, dad! Please let us go!" pleaded Bob. - -"Yes, yes!" chimed in Jerry and Ned. - -There was a moment of silence, while the parents were gravely -considering the matter. During it the boys could almost hear the beating -of their own hearts. - -"Well," began Mr. Baker, "I'm willing, if the rest of you are." - -"I suppose I may as well say yes," spoke Mr. Slade. - -"Then the only thing left for me to do is to agree with the majority," -said Mrs. Hopkins, with a laugh. - -"Westward ho!" fairly shouted Bob, and he began to do an impromptu jig -until his father stopped him. - -"We'll take Andy Rush along," said Ned, "and we'll start the first of -the week!" - -"Hark! What was that?" asked Mr. Baker, suddenly. - -Out on the night air sounded an alarm. - -"Fire! Fire! Fire!" - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE OLD MILL ON FIRE. - - -They all rushed to windows and looked out into the night. Off to the -north a dull red glare lighted the sky. - -"What is it?" asked Mr. Baker. - -"I can't see from here," replied Jerry. - -"Come on, fellows! Let's go!" exclaimed Ned. He started for the door. - -"Take the auto," suggested Bob. "No telling how far off it is." - -The next instant the three boys were in the automobile shed, getting the -machine ready for a start. The red glow in the sky increased. People -began running past on their way to the fire. - -There was a clatter and bang, a ringing of bells, and the one engine the -town possessed, in all the glory of its brass and nickel plate, rushed -past, as fast as the horses could drag it. The hose-cart followed. - -"Hurry up or we'll miss the fun!" cried Ned to Bob, who was cranking -the auto. Somehow, Chunky could not get the engine started. At last he -succeeded and the boys climbed to their seats. - -"It's my turn to steer!" cried Jerry, and no one disputed him. He ran -the car out of the side path, past the Baker home. On the stoop stood -Mr. Slade, Mrs. Hopkins and Mr. Baker, watching the fire. - -"Want to come along?" asked Ned. - -"Let's go," exclaimed Mr. Slade, and he and Mr. Baker got their hats -and were soon in the rear seat with Ned. Mrs. Hopkins, with a laugh, -declined the trip. Jerry speeded the car ahead and soon was chugging on -toward the fire, which was some distance outside of town. - -On the road the automobilists passed scores of men and boys who were -running at top speed. In their excitement many were yelling at the top -of their voices. - -"Where is it?" asked Bob of a group of boys. - -"The old windmill!" was the answer. - -"The place where we found the box Noddy Nixon stole from Mr. Judson!" -cried Jerry, turning to his companions. "Queer, isn't it?" - -"Maybe he got his toady, Jack Pender, to set the place afire so nothing -would ever come out about it," suggested Bob. - -"Hardly," ventured Jerry. "But what's the trouble up ahead?" - -In advance could be seen quite a crowd of people in a group about some -object. Just then came a long-drawn-out whistle of a steam engine. - -"The fire apparatus is stuck!" cried Ned. "The horses can't pull it!" - -"I always thought that machine was too heavy for two horses," said Mr. -Slade. - -The auto soon came up to the scene of the trouble. The fire-engine had -sunk deep down in a rut of the road and, pull as they did, the horses -could not budge it. - -"Lay hold of the wheels, boys!" called the driver of the apparatus. -"Everybody give a hand!" - -Willingly enough the crowd tried to aid. But the roads were soft and the -engine was heavy. It seemed bound to stick fast. - -"Hold on!" cried Jerry. "Let us through, will you? I have an idea!" - -The crowd parted, the attention of the men and boys being attracted from -the stranded engine. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Mr. Baker. - -"Give 'em a lift," replied Jerry. "I say, have you a rope?" the boy -called to the driver of the steamer. - -"Yes!" was the reply. "But we need more than a rope to get out of here." - -"No, you don't! I'll show you!" shouted Jerry. He had brought the -machine to a halt by throwing out the gear, but did not stop the -gasolene engine. He quickly fastened the rope to the rear axle of the -auto. - -"Now tie the other end to the engine and we'll pull you to the fire," -the boy said. - -The driver saw the feasibility of the scheme at once. He unhitched the -straining horses, attached the cable to the pole and gave the word. -Jerry threw on the clutch, there was a tightening of the rope and slowly -but surely the engine was dragged from the mud hole. Then, once on solid -ground, Jerry put on more speed, and, amid the cheers of the crowd, he -started off at a swift pace, dragging the engine to the fire. - -The hose-cart had gone on ahead and was waiting for the steamer. Power -was soon up in the apparatus, and soon two streams were directed toward -the mill, which was now a mass of flames. - -There was no chance of saving it, such a start had the fire gained, and, -in fact, the loss would be small if it burned down, but the fire company -could not let slip a chance of going to the blaze. So the crew continued -to squirt water, though most of it did little good. However, there was -plenty of excitement, which suited the boys. - -Those in the auto watched the old mill gradually being consumed. To the -boys it brought a recollection of the time they had there made the final -discovery of Noddy Nixon's villainy, and had practically forced him to -admit his guilt. At last the roof fell in, with a big shower of sparks, -and the fire was practically out, though the steamer continued to pump -water. - -"Let's go home," suggested Mr. Baker. "We've seen enough." - -"Oh, stay a while longer!" pleaded his son. "It's a fine moonlight night -and it will be fun going home later." - -"You boys can stay if you like," said the banker, "but home's the place -for me, eh, Mr. Slade?" - -The merchant agreed. So Jerry turned the auto toward Cresville and made -a quick run, leaving Mr. Baker and Mr. Slade at their respective homes, -and then he and the boys came back in the machine to the fire. They -found most of the crowd gone, and the engine about to return to quarters. - -"Do you want us to trail along and pull you again if you get stuck?" -asked Bob of the engineer. - -"Well, you might come in handy," was the answer. "We're much obliged to -you, boys." - -"Glad we were on deck," said Jerry. "However, I guess you will not need -us again," and he sent the auto ahead at a good speed. "We'll take a -little ride before we go home," he added to his chums. - -It was a bright moonlight night, rather warm for the close of September, -and the road was a fairly good one, so the boys skimmed along, their -thoughts on the western trip they were soon to make. For several miles -they kept on. Suddenly Jerry yanked the levers and put on the brakes. - -"What's the matter?" asked Bob, as the auto came to a stop. - -"There," replied Jerry, pointing ahead. - -The boys looked and saw, a little in advance, a tumble-down hut, from -the window of which a light gleamed. - -"That's queer," observed Jerry. - -"What is, to see a light in a hut?" asked Bob. - -"No; but in that particular one," replied Jerry. "I came past there day -before yesterday and I noticed that the place is almost ready to fall -apart. No one can be living in it, and any one who is there at night -with a light is there for no good purpose." - -"Let's take a look," suggested Bob. - -Jerry shut off the power, took out the spark plug and the boys advanced -cautiously, leaving the machine on one side of the road. - -"Maybe there are tramps in there who won't like being spied on," said -Ned. - -"Don't make any noise," was Jerry's answer. "Be ready to run when I give -the word." - -On tiptoes the boys drew near the hut. Suddenly Bob grabbed Jerry by the -arm. - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"Smell that?" - -"Acetylene gas! Some one has been here with a gas lamp, and within a -few minutes," agreed Jerry, sniffing the peculiar odor. - -"Isn't that a motor cycle leaning against the building?" asked Ned. - -"Sure enough!" said Jerry. "Go slow, boys." - -Walking like cats, they reached the window from which the light -streamed. As they glanced inside they saw a sight that startled them. - -Lying on a pile of rags in one corner of the bare room, in the glare of -a candle, was an old man, with matted and unkempt hair and beard. His -face showed pain and suffering. His clothes were old and ragged. But -what attracted the attention of the boys was the fact that he wore about -his waist a wide leather belt, with several compartments or pockets in -it. The pockets were open and in them, as well as scattered on the floor -in front of the man, were little piles of yellow, gleaming gold. - -"He's a miner!" whispered Bob, hoarsely. - -As the boys watched they heard the old man moan: - -"Don't rob me! Don't take what little I have left! If I wasn't sick and -suffering no one would dare play this trick on Jim Nestor!" - -The next instant the boys heard a sound from the farther corner of the -room. Out of the semi-darkness came a figure. It stooped over the old -miner. There was the sound of a blow, a deep groan--and then came -darkness as the candle was extinguished. - -Some one ran rapidly from the hut. - -"Help! help!" called the miner, feebly. "Help! He's robbed me!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A CHASE AFTER A RASCAL. - - -"After him!" cried Jerry. "Catch the miserable thief!" - -"You and Bob chase him, whoever he is!" called Ned. "I'll stay with the -old miner here in the hut. He may be badly hurt." - -"Hurry back to the auto!" shouted Jerry. "We can catch the thief in -that." - -As he spoke he looked ahead. A dark figure crossed the patch of -moonlight in the rear of the hut. Then came a sound of a motor-cycle -being started, and soon the chug-chug of the machine on the road told -that the thief was escaping that way. - -Jerry and Bob ran to the auto. In a trice Jerry had the engine cranked -up. Bob jumped in, followed by his companion, and they put off down -the road after the fleeing motor-cyclist, whom the moonlight plainly -revealed. - -"He can't get away from us!" exclaimed Jerry. "We will overhaul him in a -jiffy!" - -But Jerry reckoned without knowing who he was after. He did not dare put -on full speed, while the cyclist rashly had his machine going as fast -as the explosions could follow one after the other. Besides, the thief -had a good start with his light apparatus. - -But Jerry determined to make the capture. He threw in the second speed -gear and in a little while had lessened the distance between the auto -and the motor-cycle. - -"I wonder who it is?" asked Bob. - -"Maybe we can tell," answered his chum. Jerry switched on the -searchlight in the front of the auto. A dazzling pencil of illumination -shot down the road. - -In the white glare the figure of the motorist stood out sharply, and the -red motor he rode could be plainly seen. At the sight both boys gave a -start. - -"Jack Pender!" exclaimed Bob. - -"As sure as guns!" cried Jerry. "We must catch him!" - -He was about to take chances and put on the third gear, when Pender, on -his cycle, suddenly turned from the main road, and took a path leading -through the fields. - -"That ends it!" exclaimed Jerry. "No use trying to follow him. Our auto -isn't built for 'cross-country riding." - -He slowed up, turned around, and, with a last glance in the direction -Noddy Nixon's former toady and friend had taken, sent the car back -toward the lonely hut. - -Meanwhile, Ned, after his companions had started on the chase, had -struck a match and lighted the candle in the cabin. He found the old -miner, for such the boys correctly guessed him to be, lying unconscious -in a corner. The belt, with the gold-dust was gone, though a few grains -of the precious metal were scattered over the floor. Ned found a pail of -water in the place. He bathed the old man's head and poured some of the -fluid down his throat. - -"Where am I? What happened?" asked the old man, opening his eyes. Then -he passed his hand over his head. His fingers were stained with blood. - -"You're all right," spoke Ned. "I'll take care of you. What's your name -and where did you come from?" - -"Don't let him rob me!" pleaded the old miner. "I have only a little -gold, but I need it. I know where there is more, much more. I'll tell -you, only don't hit me again. I'm sick, please don't strike poor Jim -Nestor!" - -"No one is going to hurt you," said Ned, in soothing tones, but the old -man did not seem to comprehend. Ned felt of the miner's head, and found -he had a bad cut on the back. He washed it off with some water and bound -his handkerchief around it. This seemed to ease the old man, and he -sank into a doze. - -"Well, of all the queer adventures, this is about the limit," spoke Ned, -to himself. - -The boy glanced about the hut. There was nothing to throw any light on -the strange happenings. The candle flickered in the draught from the -open door, and cast weird shadows. The man breathed like a person in -distress. Ned was about to bathe the wounded man's head again, when the -sound of the automobile returning was heard. - -"What luck?" asked Ned, running to the door. "Did you get him?" - -Whereupon Jerry told of the fruitless chase after Jack Pender. The three -boys entered the hut, and Ned told his chums what he had done to relieve -the miner. - -"He's got a bad wound on the head," he went on. "I guess Pender must -have hit him. Jack probably came this way, saw the old man in here sick, -and unable to help himself, and watched his chance to rob him. There -must have been considerable gold-dust in that belt." - -Jerry stooped down and gathered a little from the floor. - -"There is some mystery here," he said. "I think we had better get a -doctor for the old miner. After he gets better he may talk. I'd like to -get my hands on Pender for a little while." - -"So would I," chorused Ned and Bob. - -"The question is, shall we take the old man back in the auto with us, or -run back to town and bring out a doctor?" went on Jerry. - -"I think we'd better go get a doctor and fetch him here," was Ned's -opinion. "It might injure the old man to move him." - -This was voted the best plan. They made the unconscious miner as -comfortable as possible on the bed of rags, placed the pail of water -where he could reach it, and prepared to run back to town. Ned -volunteered to stay with the miner until they returned, but Jerry -advised against it, as the hut was on a lonely road. - -It did not take long to reach Cresville. Dr. Morrison was routed out of -bed by the boys, and agreed to return with them in the auto, when the -case had been explained to him. - -"Just wait until I get dressed," he said, "and pack up some instruments -and I'll be with you." - -While waiting, Jerry examined the auto to see that there was plenty of -water and gasolene in the tanks. He found everything all right. - -While Dr. Morrison was making ready to relieve the sufferings of the -miner in the hut, Jack Pender, on his motor-cycle, was still speeding -on, to get as far away as possible from those in pursuit of him. When -he turned from the road and cut across lots he thought very likely that -the auto would not follow. But he was taking no chances, and, when he -emerged into the highway again, about a mile farther on, he still ran -his machine at full speed. - -"That was a close call!" he exclaimed. "Who would ever have thought that -those boys, the same ones who made all the trouble for Noddy, would be -after me! I escaped just in time. I hope I didn't kill the old man, -though it was a hard blow I struck him!" - -Pender slowed down his machine and listened. No sound of pursuit came to -him on the quiet night air. He stopped alongside of the road, under a -big oak tree. - -"Guess I'll light up and see how I made out," he said to himself. He -lighted his acetylene lamp and, standing in the glare of it, drew from -his pocket the belt he had stolen from the old miner. - -"Feels heavy," he muttered. "Ought to be plenty of gold in it. Well, I -need the money if I am to join Noddy. I must read his letter again." - -He pulled out a sheet of paper and began glancing over it. - -"Dated New York," he said. "He says he's having lots of fun and no end -of larks with Bill Berry. I don't care much for Bill, myself. He never -was any good around town, and he's a desperate man. Hum! let's see!" He -turned to the letter again. "'Come and join me, Jack. We'll go West -and have a good time. Bring some money.' Well, I've got the money, all -right. Now to start West. I'll ride the motor as far as the depot and -take a train." - -Replacing the letter and the belt of gold in his pockets, Pender -remounted his machine and started off down the road, dark shadows from -the trees soon hiding him. - -It was just about this time that Dr. Morrison had completed his -preparations to visit the injured miner. The physician took a seat in -the auto beside Bob, Ned and Jerry being in front, the latter steering. - -"Now, don't go too fast," cautioned the doctor to Jerry. "You know I'm -an old-fashioned man, and not used to making professional visits any -faster than my horse, old Dobbins, can take me. I don't want an upset." - -Jerry promised to be cautious. The moon had begun to go down, and it was -no easy task steering along the shadowy road, but the boy managed it, -and soon the deserted hut was reached. - -"Now to see what sort of a case I have," spoke the doctor. - -"I'll bring one of the oil lamps," said Jerry, unfastening a lantern -from the dashboard, after stopping the automobile engine. "You can see -to work by it." - -The boys and Dr. Morrison entered the hut. Jerry held the lamp up high -to illuminate the place. - -"Now I'm ready," announced the physician. "Where is the patient?" and he -opened his medical case. - -In wonderment the boys gazed around the hut. To their astonishment, -there was not the slightest sign of the wounded miner. He had -disappeared! - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE MYSTERY OF THE MINER. - - -"He's gone!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Are you sure he was here?" inquired the physician. - -Of that the boys had not the slightest doubt, and they speedily -convinced the medical man. The lantern was flashed in every corner of -the hut, but there was not a sign of the miner. - -"It's rather queer," commented Dr. Morrison, when he had listened to the -details the boys gave him. - -"Do you suppose some one came and carried him off?" asked Bob. - -"More likely he was not as badly hurt as you supposed," replied Dr. -Morrison. "He may have been only stunned by a blow on the head. When he -regained his senses he probably feared another attack, and so he hurried -from the hut. Let me take the lamp." - -The physician flashed the lantern outside the door of the cabin, holding -it close to the ground. - -"I thought so," he said. "See, there are a few grains of the gold-dust -showing on the door sill, and here are more, farther along the path. The -man has gone away, and has left a little golden trail." - -The physician attempted to follow it, but the yellow specks soon -disappeared and there was no other clew. - -"Depend on it, he has run away in fear," said the doctor. "Rather -disappointing, too. I believe he could tell a queer story. Who robbed -him, I wonder?" - -"It was----" began Bob, but a nudge from Jerry stopped him. - -"We saw some one run from the hut," explained Jerry. "We gave chase in -the automobile, but the fellow cut across lots and we couldn't follow." - -"I suppose I may as well go back," announced the doctor. "There is no -use staying here. I don't believe the miner will return and solve the -mystery for us." - -The auto was turned toward Cresville and a quick trip was made, the boys -speculating among themselves on what might be revealed if the wounded -man could be found. - -The physician was left at his home, and then the boys began thinking of -their beds, as it was growing late. - -"Queer that both Noddy and Jack should turn thieves, isn't it?" remarked -Jerry. - -"And that we should happen to be mixed up in both cases," put in Ned. "I -wonder if we will meet either of them again." - -If the boys could have looked into the future they would have seen that -they were destined to soon encounter Noddy and Jack, and under the -strangest of circumstances. - -The auto was put away and three tired boys were soon snoring in their -beds. They were up bright and early the next morning and in consultation -about the proposed trip to Chicago. They called on Mr. Wakefield to -learn his plans. - -He said he expected to start for the Windy City by way of New York, -on Thursday. It was then Tuesday, and the boys realized that they had -little time to spare in which to make their preparations. - -The three parents, who had somewhat reluctantly given their consent to -the project, were soon almost as enthusiastic as the boys. Stocks of -clothing were looked over, money matters were arranged, and the boys -packed their dress-suit cases with what they thought would do them on -the trip. They were each given a fairly liberal allowance of funds. - -Then the automobile was got ready. It was given a thorough overhauling, -and an extra supply of tools, together with a full new set of tires, was -provided. Andy Rush was told to prepare to go, it having been decided -to take him as far as New York or Chicago, he having relatives in both -cities. - -At last the time came to start. It was a fine, crisp September morning, -and the boys were up early enough to see the sun rise. The suit-cases -had been strapped to the machine, tires were pumped up, there was plenty -of water and gasolene in the tanks, the batteries were renewed, and -every bit of machinery had been gone over carefully. Andy Rush, the -night previous, had sent his things over to Bob's house, from whence the -trip was to be begun. Andy himself arrived right after breakfast. - -"Hurrah!" he shouted. "Here we go--all aboard--blow the horn--get out -of the way--turn on the gasolene--off brakes--break the records--mile a -minute--whoop!" - -"You'll have all the excitement you want for once, I hope, Andy," said -Jerry. - -"Betcherlife!" exclaimed Andy, in one breath. - -The boys piled into the auto; good-byes were called, over and over -again. Then came a toot of a horn as Mr. Wakefield came up the road in -his machine, a friend, who intended making the trip, accompanying him. - -"All ready, boys?" he called. - -"All ready!" replied Jerry, who was going to steer for the first stage. - -With a blaring of the automobile trumpets, a waving of hands from those -who had gathered to see the start, and a chorus of cries, wishing every -one good luck, the little party rode away. - -Mr. Wakefield, who knew the road better than did the boys, took the -lead. His car was of the same pattern as theirs and both machines were -of equal speed. For several miles the two autos puffed along over the -pleasant country roads. - -No attempt to make time was tried, and at noon the travelers found -themselves in Providence, Rhode Island, that being the first stopping -place Mr. Wakefield had decided on. The machines were run up in front -of a quiet but good hotel, and every one was hungry enough to do full -justice to the meal. - -"How do you boys like it?" asked Mr. Wakefield at the table. "Do you -think you can stand it as far as Chicago?" - -They were all sure they could run the machine to San Francisco, if -necessary, and Mr. Wakefield and his friend laughed at their enthusiasm. - -"We have come about seventy miles without a mishap," said Mr. Wakefield, -"but there are many miles ahead of us yet." - -After a short rest the journey was again taken up, and throughout the -afternoon the autos were speeded along. The way was through a pleasant -country, and the boys enjoyed the scenery and fresh air. Several times -they stopped at farmhouses to get drinks of cold milk, and once a -motherly-looking woman filled the boys' pockets with newly baked -doughnuts that were delicious. - -"We'll spend the night in Norwich, Conn.," said Mr. Wakefield, when the -two autos were ready to start, after a momentary stop at a farmhouse. - -"Norwich--Norwich! I know Norwich!" exclaimed Andy. "I saw it in a -book once--years ago--I was a little fellow--man in the moon came down -too soon to inquire the way to Norwich--went by the south--burnt his -mouth--eating cold bean porridge!" - -"You remember your nursery rhymes well," said Mr. Wakefield, with a -laugh, in which all joined. - -On and on chugged the autos. The afternoon waned to dusk and frequent -signboards told that the distance from Norwich was constantly lessening. -Mr. Wakefield was about half a mile in advance, on a straight, level -road. Suddenly came a sound as of a pistol shot. - -"Tire busted!" exclaimed Jerry, shutting off the power. Mr. Wakefield -heard the noise and turned back. - -"Accident?" he inquired. - -Jerry explained that one of their inner tubes had blown out. - -"Want any help?" asked the athletic instructor. - -"We may as well begin now as any other time to mend our own breaks," -spoke Jerry. "You go ahead. We'll catch up to you soon." - -"All right," said Mr. Wakefield. He felt that it would be a good thing -to accustom the boys to depend on themselves. So, telling them that the -road to Norwich was now a straight one, and that the town was about ten -miles off, he left them to their own devices. - -The boys started in on the not very easy task of taking off the heavy -outer shoe and inserting a new inner tube, of which they carried a -supply. It finally became so dark that they had to light the lamps to -see to work. At length they were finished and the tools were put away. - -The new tire was pumped up and the engine started. The boys took their -seats, and, at Bob's request, he was allowed to steer. - -"Go slow at first," advised Jerry, "until we see how the new tube holds." - -Bob started off at first speed. It was now quite dark, but the oil and -acetylene lamps gave a good light. All at once Bob, who was peering -ahead, shut off the power with a jerk and put the brakes on hard. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. - -"Something in the road," replied the steersman, pointing to a dark -object. - -The next instant three figures loomed up in the glare of the auto lamps. - -"Climb out of that gasolene gig!" exclaimed a rough voice. "We're hard -up an' we need help!" - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -A HOLD-UP. - - -"Who are you?" asked Jerry, boldly. - -"Never mind who we are!" exclaimed the same voice. "Just git out of that -choo-choo wagon an' hand over what spare change you have." - -"Is this a hold-up?" demanded Ned. - -"If it isn't it's a good imitation of one," was the answer, accompanied -by a laugh. "Come, now! Look lively!" - -One of the men came around to the side of the auto and grabbed Bob by -the arm. At the same time another of the tramp trio attempted to seize -Jerry. Ned was in the rear seat. - -"Let go of me!" exclaimed Jerry, striking at the man who had climbed up -on the step of the machine. The boy's blow fell on the man's arm. - -"Oh, that's your game, is it?" cried the ruffian. He drew back his fist -as though to fell Jerry. - -"Help! help!" yelled Bob. He was being pulled from the car by the tramp -who had grabbed him. It looked bad for the Motor Boys. - -Ned sprang up from the rear. He had been fumbling in a valise on the -floor of the tonneau. He leaned forward over the front seat. In each -hand he held some object, bright and shining, and he aimed them full in -the faces of the two tramps on either side of the auto. - -"Take that!" Ned cried. - -[Illustration: "TAKE THAT!" NED CRIED.] - -There was a sharp, hissing sound, a click, and the air was filled with a -pungent odor. - -"I'm killed! He's blinded me!" yelled the tramp, who had grabbed Bob. - -"Oh! oh! My head is blown off!" yelled the other ruffian. - -Both of them toppled from the steps of the auto and rolled over and over -in the road, screaming with pain and fright. - -"And there's one for you!" shouted Ned, taking aim at the tramp in front -of the machine, and once more the hissing sound was heard. - -"Wow!" cried the fellow, and, whirling around, he dashed off, full -speed, down the road. - -"Bully for you! Hit 'em again--knock 'em out--smash--bang--never say -die--hear 'em yell--do it again--siss--boom--ah! Whoop!" cried Andy, -standing on the seat and waving his cap. - -The two tramps who had fallen to the road got up, and, still yelling in -pain, followed their companion. - -"Start off!" exclaimed Ned to Bob. "I guess they won't bother us again -very soon." - -"What in the world did you do to them?" asked Jerry. - -"Used an ammonia squirt-gun on each one," said Ned. - -He showed the boys two affairs that looked like small revolvers, only -the ammunition was liquid spirits of ammonia, quite strong, contained -in a rubber bulb in the handle. By pressing the bulb a fine stream of -ammonia could be shot for quite a distance. - -"I saw 'em advertised in a magazine," said Ned. "They were just the -things for vicious dogs and men, it said, for they blind a person -temporarily and make his face smart like sixty, but no permanent injury -is done. I had 'em in my valise and I just happened to think of them -when those chaps held us up." - -"Lucky you did," commented Jerry. "I thought we were surely going to be -robbed." - -"I guess they thought they were killed when they felt that ammonia," -said Bob. "Ned, you're all right, that's what you are!" he finished, -heartily. - -"I guess we'd better move along, or Mr. Wakefield may be worried about -us," suggested Jerry. - -So Bob threw the gear into place and the machine moved away. No further -sign of the tramps was seen, and the boys reached Norwich without -further incident. They found the hotel Mr. Wakefield had arranged to -meet them at, and soon were eating a good supper. The adventure with the -tramps was related, and Mr. Wakefield congratulated the boys on their -pluck. - -An early start was had next morning and good progress was made, so that -by noon the travelers were in Waterbury, Conn., where dinner was eaten. -Mr. Wakefield said that by swift traveling New York could be reached -late that night, but he did not advise it. Instead, the night was spent -in Danbury. - -By noon the next day more than half the distance between their last -stopping place and New York had been covered, and late that afternoon -found the two autos speeding down Riverside Drive, leading to the -metropolis. Not an accident had occurred since the hold-up by the tramps -and the blowing out of the tire on the boys' auto, and each one was -congratulating himself that the trip was being made under the best of -luck. - -The travelers were about opposite Grant's tomb, and were moving along -slowly, when suddenly, with a noise like a shot, one of Mr. Wakefield's -tires burst. A young woman, driving a spirited horse, was passing his -auto at the time, and the animal, taking fright, took the bit in his -teeth and bolted. - -The young woman screamed in fright, lost her hold on the reins and clung -desperately to the seat. There were no vehicles on the drive in that -vicinity just then, excepting the two autos and the runaway. - -"Quick!" cried Mr. Wakefield to the boys, as he brought his machine to a -stop. "Take after her! There may be an accident! I can't go on until I -mend this break!" - -Ned was steering, and made a turn. Like a flash he threw on the third -gear and the auto sprang forward like an unleashed hound. Bob, Andy -and Jerry clung to the seats, while Ned steered the machine after the -runaway horse. - -The animal was now galloping at top speed, but the auto was creeping -up on him. It made scarcely a sound, only a purring as the cylinders -exploded, one after another. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Jerry. "Go close enough so one of us -can jump in the carriage?" - -"Watch!" was all Ned replied. - -Faster and faster went the auto. At length it passed the galloping -steed, and the boys could see the young woman clinging in desperation to -the seat. Then, as Ned steered the machine ahead of the horse, the boys -saw what his plan was. - -The animal was now directly behind the auto, coming on like the wind. -Ned gave one glance back. Then he quickly threw the gears to first -speed. So quickly was it done that the horse nearly rammed his nose -into the rear of the tonneau. The animal did not think of dashing to one -side and so passing the car. Instead he kept his place behind it. - -Then Ned shut off the power and allowed the machine to drift along. The -horse, seeing the obstruction continually in front of him, gradually -reduced his speed, and finally, when the auto came to a stop, the animal -did likewise. - -Jerry jumped from his seat and, running back, grasped the bridle. He -spoke soothingly to the animal, and soon had him quieted. The young -woman, pale and trembling, regained her composure. - -"I'm so much obliged to you," she said. "Really, I don't know what -possessed Dexter. He never was frightened at autos before. I'm a little -ashamed of myself, too. I ought to have kept hold of the reins and I -could have managed him." - -"Are you sure you will be all right now?" asked Jerry. "If not, one of -us will go with you." - -"Oh, I can take care of him now," replied the lady. "Dexter will be all -right. I thank you boys very much," she added, sweetly, and a moment -later drove off. - -The boys turned the auto around and speeded back to where they had left -Mr. Wakefield. He had repaired the break in the tire in the meanwhile -and was ready to proceed. - -In a short time the travelers steered for the hotel, uptown, where Mr. -Wakefield had engaged rooms for all. The machines were sent to a garage, -and the boys prepared to wash up for supper. It was getting quite dark, -and the electric lights in the streets were gleaming. Jerry was looking -from the window of the sitting-room of the suite which the boys had on -the third floor. - -Suddenly he gave a start and cried: - -"There he goes!" - -"Who?" asked Ned. - -"Noddy Nixon!" replied Jerry, dashing from the room. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -A FRUITLESS PURSUIT. - - -For a few seconds the other boys did not know whether Jerry was joking -or in earnest. But when he did not return in a little while they knew he -must have meant what he said. - -"I don't see anything of Noddy," spoke Ned, looking out of the window -whence Jerry had spied their enemy. - -"It's getting too dark to see anything," said Bob. - -"Well, I guess if Jerry said he saw Noddy he meant it," put in Andy. "I -hope he catches him and gives him a good thrashing!" - -"Well, boys," exclaimed Mr. Wakefield at that instant, entering their -room, "are you all ready for supper?" - -"We are," answered Ned. - -"Where is Jerry?" asked the athletic instructor, looking around. - -"He went out for a little while," replied Ned, quickly, not wishing to -state Jerry's real errand. "I guess he'll be back in a short time." - -"He doesn't know his way around New York; I hope he will not get lost," -spoke Mr. Wakefield. - -"Trust Jerry to find his way back," said Ned. - -Then the party went down to supper without waiting for the missing -member. Meanwhile, Jerry was in hot pursuit of Noddy. - -"I wonder what he is doing in New York?" thought Jerry, as he jumped -into an elevator that was just going down, and got out on the ground -floor. - -The boy ran out into the street and glanced in the direction he had -seen Noddy taking. The thoroughfare was not crowded, and, though it was -getting quite dark, Jerry caught a glimpse of Noddy's back. - -"I'll catch him and ask him what he meant about that note he wrote, -threatening to get even with us," he thought, as he hurried on. - -Noddy had quite a start, and Jerry had some difficulty in getting close -to him. He lost a little time at a street crossing, where there were a -number of vehicles, and Noddy got farther ahead. Jerry broke into a run -when he saw a passage, and hurried on. - -Noddy happened to glance back just as Jerry passed beneath an electric -light, and seeing he was pursued, started forward at a rapid rate. - -The pursuit was getting hot. They had passed from a busy part of the -city and were on a street containing only old buildings. There were -less people, too, and Jerry had a good view of Noddy. - -Suddenly Noddy turned, shook his fist, and disappeared into a -dilapidated tenement house, which he was in front of at the time. With -a cry, Jerry bounded forward. As he entered the hallway he bumped into -a roughly dressed man, as he could see by the dim light of a lamp -suspended at the rear end of the passage. - -"Now, then, wot's all this rush about?" demanded the man. - -"I beg your pardon," said Jerry, halting. - -"Be you the doctor?" asked the man. - -"The doctor? No. Why?" - -"'Cause he's took bad, an' we've sent fer the doctor. I t'ought you was -him." - -"Who's sick?" inquired the boy, forgetting for the moment what had -brought him to the place. - -"He's an old miner. I don't know him, but he come to me, sick an' dead -broke, an' I let him sleep in my room. He's off his trolley, I guess, -but he says his name is Jim Nestor." - -"Jim Nestor!" exclaimed Jerry. He remembered that was the name of the -miner in the hut, whom Pender had robbed. - -"That's the name he gave." - -"Off his trolley?" went on the youth, wondering what form of disease -that was. - -"Yep. Nutty, you know; bug-house, wheels, crazy, if that suits you -better." - -"Oh!" replied Jerry, understanding. - -"If you ain't the doc. no use of me wastin' my time on you," the man -went on. "I'll have to chase out after one." - -"I saw the sign of a doctor's office a little way back on this street as -I came along," volunteered the boy. "I'll go and stay with the man while -you run there." - -"Bully for you!" said the man. "Some of the people in this house is -afraid of him 'cause he talks in his sleep. You'll find him on the -second floor front." - -Jerry went up. In a dimly lighted room he saw an old man lying on a bed, -covered with ragged quilts. One glance showed Jerry that the man was the -miner who had mysteriously disappeared from the hut when they sought to -aid him. - -Suddenly the sick man opened his eyes. He looked sharply at Jerry and -exclaimed: - -"Oh, you've come back, have you? Where is the boy who took my gold?" - -"He got away," explained Jerry, realizing that the sick man was in his -right senses, for a time at least. - -"I remember you," went on the miner. "You and some other boys helped me -after I was struck. You left me alone in the cabin. I was afraid the -one who took my gold would come back, so I crawled out. The air made me -feel better. I walked to the railroad, got on a freight train, and came -here. Then I got sick again. - -"Gold! gold! gold!" exclaimed the miner, suddenly. "I see it all around. -Millions and millions of it! There is gold for all of us! Do not rob me!" - -Jerry knew the man was wandering again. Just then the doctor came in and -Jerry, after promising to come back, hurried around to the hotel, where -he found his friends worried over his absence. He explained about his -chase and the finding of the mysterious miner. - -"Did you catch Noddy?" asked Andy. - -"I forgot all about him when I saw Nestor," replied Jerry. "I guess -Noddy got away, all right, probably out of a back door." - -"What are you going to do about the miner?" asked Mr. Wakefield, after -supper. - -"I'd like to befriend him if we could," said Jerry. "He seems like an -honest man." - -"I'll go around and see him," remarked the athletic instructor. "Perhaps -we can arrange to do something for him." - -It was quite late that night when Mr. Wakefield returned from his visit -to Jim Nestor. He found the boys up waiting for him. - -"It's a queer story," said Mr. Wakefield. "Part of it I want you to -hear for yourselves from him, part I will tell you. It seems that James -Nestor, which is his name, found quite a rich claim out in Arizona. He -staked it out and, with some of the gold in his possession, came East -to see if he could find a former partner he wanted to share in his good -luck. - -"He reached Cresville and there he was taken sick. He went to the old -hut, where you found him, and there, while he was helpless, some one, -whom you boys know to be Jack Pender, came along and robbed him. - -"Nestor made his way to New York, after his mysterious disappearance -from the hut, and he found poor but faithful friends in the tenement -house." - -"What part of the story do you want him to tell us himself?" asked Ned. - -"About his claim--his gold mine," said Mr. Wakefield. "I would rather -you get that from him direct." - -"Is he very sick?" asked Jerry. - -"The doctor thinks he will be around in a few days." - -"And what do you propose?" asked Bob, who could see that Mr. Wakefield -had something on his mind. - -"I think if you boys are going to make a western trip you cannot do -better than take this miner along with you," answered the gentleman. -"I talked to him about it, after the doctor had given him some quieting -medicine, and he said he would be glad of a chance to get out West." - -"Shall we wait here until he gets well?" asked Jerry. - -"My plan would be for you boys to make up his fare to Chicago," said Mr. -Wakefield, "and let him join you there, say in a week. You can go by -auto and he can go by train." - -This plan met with the approval of the three chums. They made up a purse -for Jim Nestor and arranged for Mr. Wakefield to take it to the miner. -The latter did so, and planned for the miner to come on to Chicago when -he was well and strong. - -"The boys will put up at the Grand Hotel," said Mr. Wakefield, passing -over the money, which was to be Nestor's fare to Chicago. - -"And I'll meet 'em there an' put 'em up against the greatest proposition -they ever heard of," promised the miner. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -IN THE WINDY CITY. - - -Five days later the automobile travelers were in Chicago. No serious -accidents had occurred on the road, and they finished the first part of -their trip in good shape. All the boys thought of was whether they would -be allowed to proceed farther West. - -Andy Rush was obliged to leave them, for he had promised to visit a -relative of his mother. He did not relish being separated from his chums. - -"Tough!" he exclaimed. "Wish I could go along--bully fun--shoot -Indians--lasso the cowboys--kill the buffalos--ride a wild bull--break a -bucking mustang--chase over the prairies--lots of sport--whoop!" - -"We'd like to have you come," said Jerry, "but your folks said you could -go no farther, and we have agreed to leave you here and take Mr. Nestor. -So we have to keep our word." - -Andy agreed that this was right, but the galvanic youth certainly did -hate to part from his friends. The three chums put up at the Grand -Hotel, and Mr. Wakefield, after some parting words of advice, left -them, as he had some business to transact. He said he did not expect -to see them again before he returned to Cresville, and wished them all -sorts of good luck. - -"What's the first thing to do?" asked Bob, when the boys found -themselves alone in their hotel rooms. - -"Wire home that we are safe and ask if we can go farther West," -suggested Jerry. "But don't say anything about the miner. He may not -show up, and they'll laugh at us if they find that we have been fooled." - -The wires were soon busy with messages from each of the three boys. - -A day of anxious waiting ensued. Then, on the second afternoon the -bellboy brought three yellow envelopes to their rooms. With trembling -fingers the boys tore the missives open. - -"Hurrah! I can go!" cried Jerry. - -"So can I!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Me, too!" put in Bob. - -The boys executed an impromptu war-dance in their delight. - -"Ho for the West and the gold mines!" cried Ned, trying to hug Jerry and -Chunky at the same time and finding it was too much of a contract. - -There came a knock on the door. - -"I guess that's some one to tell us to stop our noise," remarked Jerry. -"I thought you chaps were cutting up too rough." - -"As if he didn't make as much of the row as any of us!" exclaimed Ned. - -Bob opened the door. A well-dressed man, with iron-gray moustache and -hair, entered. - -"Here I be!" he announced, "an' I see you boys are right on deck!" - -"I guess you've made a mistake," said Jerry, gently. - -"Ain't this the Grand Hotel, where I was to meet the boys that -befriended old Jim Nestor?" the man asked. - -Then the boys saw it was their friend, the miner. But he had so changed -in appearance, with a new suit of clothes, and with his hair and -whiskers trimmed, that they did not recognize him. They greeted him -heartily. - -"I got well quicker than I expected," went on Nestor, "an' I couldn't -stand New York any longer. Mr. Wakefield left me a tidy sum. He -grub-staked me, so to speak, an' I come West. Got a quick train an' made -Chicago 'most as soon as you boys did in your auto wagon." - -"We're glad to see you," remarked Jerry. - -"No more than I am to see you," put in the miner. "Now let's git right -down to business. That's my way. No beatin' around the bush for Jim -Nestor. - -"I told your friend, Mr. Wakefield, that I'd put you boys up against -a good big proposition. Now I'm goin' to do it. Can you go as far as -Arizona in that wagon of yours?" - -"Farther if need be," replied Ned. - -"Good! Now will your folks let you go?" - -For answer the boys held out their telegrams. - -"Good, again I see it's all right. Now I want you boys to know I ain't -so poor as I looked to be when you found me. I'm rich, that's what I am, -only I can't git at my money. - -"The long and short of it is that I discovered down in the southern part -of Arizona a rich gold mine. It assays high. In fact, if you saw the -gold I had in the hut, you saw some of the yellow stuff that came from -my mine. It's a lost mine." - -"A lost mine?" exclaimed Bob, blankly. "Then what good is it?" - -"It was lost, but I found it again," explained Nestor. "There's millions -in it. It's up in the mountains, about a hundred miles from Tucson. The -gold is there, but it's hard to reach. - -"Now what I want to know is, can you boys go there, or near there, in -your choo-choo cart? If you can, and we are successful, there's a chance -for us all to make our fortunes, for I'll give you boys a share apiece -for what you did for me when I was in trouble." - -"I guess we can go," said Jerry. - -"It'll be a hard trip, full of trouble an' some danger," warned the -miner. - -"We'll risk it," said Ned. - -"When can you start?" asked Nestor. - -"Let's go right now!" exclaimed Bob, with such earnestness that the -other laughed. - -"To-morrow or next day will do," said Nestor. "I have a few things to -attend to. I'll meet you here, say day after to-morrow." - -At the agreed time Nestor was on hand. In the meantime the auto had -been thoroughly overhauled, put in shape for a long, hard trip, and -extra supplies purchased. It was a bright, sunny day when the start from -Chicago was made. - -"Let her go!" exclaimed Nestor, as he climbed into the rear seat with -Bob. - -Jerry, who was steering, threw in the gear clutches and the machine -moved off on its long and what was destined to be eventful trip. - -"Hold on!" cried Nestor, suddenly. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry, stopping the car. - -"Have you boys got guns?" - -"Guns?" repeated Jerry, somewhat in bewilderment. - -"Well, revolvers, then," went on the miner. - -In answer, Ned rather sheepishly took from his valise three new -double-action revolvers of excellent make. - -"I thought we might need 'em," he said, "but I was afraid you'd laugh at -me and say it was foolish." - -"It's all right!" exclaimed Nestor. "I was going to tell you to git -some. You see, you don't always need a gun in Arizona, but when you do, -as the man in the story said about Texas, you need it mighty bad an' -mighty sudden. So it's a prime thing you have 'em. I've got mine," and -he showed two big .45 calibre ones. - -Well armed, as well as otherwise provided for, the little expedition -started off again, the automobile wending in and out through the busy -Chicago streets. - -"We'll make as straight a course as we can for Tucson," said Nestor. "I -know the roads pretty well, 'cause I traveled 'em in a stage years ago, -when Chicago was only a village." - -The machine was puffing along at a fair rate of speed and had almost -reached the outskirts of the city when a policeman, mounted on a -motor-cycle, dashed up. - -"I'll have to take you in," he announced. - -"What for?" asked Ned. - -"Riding too fast in the city limits." - -"But we were going slow," objected Jerry. "If you know anything about -automobiles you can see the lever is only on the first-speed notch, and -that only goes ten miles an hour at best." - -"Can't help it," replied the officer. "I timed you and you went too -fast." - -"Dog-gone his hide, let me git my gun out an' I'll show him who he's -a-holdin' up!" exclaimed Nestor, in a whisper. - -"No, no!" expostulated Ned, who overheard the miner's threat. "This -isn't out West. Don't pull any guns!" - -"Well," put in Jerry, speaking to the officer, "if you think we were -violating the law I suppose we'll have to go back with you. Shall I turn -around and accompany you?" he asked, politely. - -"That's what you better do. I don't want no fuss, but if you want -trouble I'll make it for you." - -The other boys wondered at Jerry's easy compliance with what they knew -was an unreasonable and unjust command. The steersman started the -machine slowly ahead, and, as the road was wide, began to turn in a -circle, to head back to Chicago. - -But when the auto was half way around, and pointed in the direction of -the Windy City, Jerry did not continue on the way the officer expected. -Instead, the boy widened his circle, made a complete revolution and -then, throwing in the second speed, dashed away down the road, leaving -the discomfited motor-policeman to rage over the trick that had been -played on him. - -"I wasn't going to submit to arrest when I knew we were not guilty," -said Jerry. - -In a little while Chicago was left behind, and the auto dashed along a -pleasant country road and was making good time toward the West. - -Suddenly there came a puffing from behind that told of another machine -coming. It passed the boys, who had slowed down a bit, and as it went by -the occupants of the Cresville machine had a good view of those in the -other car. - -"Did you see them?" cried Jerry, in amazement. - -"Who?" asked Bob, who had not given much heed to the other auto. - -"Noddy Nixon was in that machine, and with him were Jack Pender and Bill -Berry!" - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A SHOT IN THE DARK. - - -As Jerry spoke, the other boys looked and saw Noddy turn to stare at -them. The bully rose in his seat and shook his fist at the Motor Boys, -while the wind bore back some indistinguishable words he shouted. - -"Let's take after him!" cried Ned. - -"What would be the use?" asked Jerry. "We don't want trouble if we can -avoid it. The farther off those fellows are the better we'll be." - -The boys explained to Nestor something about the character of Noddy, -Berry, and Pender, the miner listening, gravely. - -"Well, on the whole," he remarked, "it's better to have an enemy in -front of you than at your back. I guess we can make out to beat 'em at -whatever game they play. But I'd like to catch the chap as took my gold." - -Jerry started his machine up again, but made no effort to catch up with -Noddy, who was now far in advance. The Cresville auto bowled along, and -at noon a stop was made in a small village, where dinner was eaten. - -They traveled along all the afternoon. Toward dusk they struck a lonely -stretch of country, and inquiry at a log cabin brought out that the -nearest town was ten miles ahead. - -"We must push for it," said Nestor; "that is, if we intend to sleep in -beds to-night." - -Ned was steering, the boys having agreed to take turn and turn about. -It became quite dark, and the auto was shooting along at reduced speed, -for, even with the gas and oil lamps, the road was dim. - -Suddenly a shot rang out in the darkness. It was followed by a louder -report as one of the auto tires burst, punctured by a bullet. The car -careened to one side and bumped along on the flattened rubber. - -"They're shooting at us!" cried Nestor. "Two can play at that game!" - -He whipped out his revolver and fired three shots straight ahead, the -flashes cutting the darkness. - -"They're behind, not ahead!" yelled Jerry, who was in the rear seat with -the miner. "It was one of the back tires that burst!" - -Ned had shut off power and the auto came to a halt. The boys got out, -and Jerry took off one of the oil lamps to see what damage had been -done. A new inner tube would be needed, and it would be hard work -inserting it in the dark. - -"That's some of Noddy's or Pender's work," observed Ned. "They must be -following us, and yet they started off ahead." - -"There are so many roads around here that they could go off to one side, -wait, and then come up behind us," said Nestor. "But what's to be done?" - -"We can't go ahead until we fix the tire," said Jerry. - -"Don't try to do it in the dark," advised the miner. "Tell you what to -do. I'll camp here with the machine, for I'm used to sleeping outdoors -nights. It's only about two miles into town now, and you boys can walk -it. In the morning you can come back and fix things up." - -"What will you do for supper?" asked Jerry. - -"Don't you worry about that," replied the miner. "I've got a couple of -sandwiches in my pocket. I got 'em at the place we had dinner, 'cause -I always like to travel with a little grub about me. They'll do until -morning." - -So it was arranged. The lights on the auto were put out and Nestor -curled up in the tonneau, with some lap-robes over him. The boys started -afoot for the town, promising to come back as soon as it was light -enough to see to put the new tube in the tire. - -"I wonder what Noddy's game is?" asked Ned of his companions. "And how -did he and Pender come together?" - -"There's no telling what those two may do," said Jerry. "I'm afraid -we're in for trouble." - -They were to meet it sooner than they expected. About this time, a mile -from where the crippled auto was stalled, two figures were sneaking -along the road. - -"Are you sure you hit the tire, Bill?" asked a voice, which, if the -Motor Boys had heard, they would have recognized at once as Noddy -Nixon's. - -"Course I winged 'em," replied Bill Berry. "It was easy. All I had to do -was to jump out from behind the bushes where we were hid and pop at 'em. -I could hear the tire bust." - -"I wonder if it made 'em lay up for repairs?" - -"It sure did. I heard 'em shut off the power. Now we'll hustle back to -our car and continue the trip." - -"I'll teach those Cresville cubs to come meddling after me," spoke -Noddy. "I'll follow 'em close and make all the trouble I can. As you -say, we may as well start off again. I hope Pender isn't tired waiting -alone for us in the car. How far ahead is it now?" - -"Half a mile, I guess." - -As the Motor Boys knew, Noddy had made for New York after running away -from home with Bill Berry. He wrote to the boys and to Pender from -there, and later Pender joined the rascally pair. - -Noddy was preparing for a trip with his companions, and was just about -to start when Jerry spied him from the hotel window. He escaped through -the tenement house and at once got ready to leave New York in a hurry. - -It was by the merest chance that he passed the Cresville auto on leaving -Chicago, and at once had formed the plan of annoying the three chums. - -As Nestor had said, Noddy and his companions had taken a side road, -allowed the Cresville auto to get ahead and then, at Berry's suggestion, -had ambushed themselves to try and do some damage as the Motor Boys -passed. The chief conspirators were now on their way to where they had -left their auto. - -They reached it, found Pender half asleep, curled up on a seat, and -started slowly off in the darkness. - -By keeping to the diverging road they were on, they passed around the -disabled machine, and came out into the main highway again, ahead of the -three boys who were tramping toward the town. - -Noddy was steering, and with a reckless disregard of the dangers of -the road was going very fast. Suddenly there was a crash and the auto -stopped. - -"You've gone an' done it now!" exclaimed Bill. - -"What if I have?" snapped Noddy. "It's my machine, ain't it?" - -"An' it's my neck you're tryin' to break," replied Bill. "What's the -trouble, anyhow?" - -Noddy got out to look. Something had gone wrong with the sliding gear -and he had to crawl under the machine to fix it, while Pender held a -light. Bill obstinately refused to lend a hand, as he said it was all -Noddy's fault. - -"I'm goin' to walk on to the next town," declared Berry. "You can stop -an' pick me up on your way through. I'll be at the hotel." - -He went off in the darkness, while Noddy and Jack continued to work at -the auto. It took more than half an hour to fix the break, but at last -the machine was ready to start. Noddy was about to crank it up when he -heard the sound of some persons coming along the road, voices mingling -with the footsteps. - -He looked up, and was much surprised to see, in the glare of the lamps, -Jerry, Bob and Ned. - -"Oh!" said Noddy, faintly, for he did not know what else to say. - -On their part the Motor Boys were as much startled as was Noddy at the -unexpected meeting. - -"So you're here, are you?" asked Jerry. - -"Can't you see without having to be told?" inquired Noddy, with a surly -growl. "Now you've seen us, you'd better go on and mind your own -business." - -"I guess this is a free country, and we have as much right on this road -as you have," spoke Ned. - -"You haven't any right to follow me all the while!" burst out the former -bully of Cresville. - -"We wouldn't be following you if you hadn't fired at us and punctured -the tire!" cried Bob. - -"Who says I fired a shot?" demanded Noddy. - -"I do!" exclaimed Ned. - -"You don't know what you're talking about!" exclaimed the bully. "If you -say another word I'll lick you!" - -He was mad clear through, and made a rush at Ned. Jerry sprang forward -and met Noddy with a blow straight from the shoulder. The bully went -down. He got up quickly, and the two boys went at each other, "hammer -and tongs." Jerry kept his head and landed twice, heavily, on Noddy. The -latter gave Jerry a bad blow on the right eye, but the latter retaliated -by making Noddy's nose bleed. - -As Noddy felt the warm blood trickling down his face he became -frightened. - -"Help! help!" he cried. "Why don't you help me, Jack?" - -Pender had discreetly remained in the car. At this he jumped out. Ned -was ready, however, and stepped in front of him. Jack aimed a blow at -Ned. The latter dodged it and sent a straight left for Pender's head. -It caught him on the jaw and he went down heavily. - -By this time Noddy had broken away from Jerry and ran toward the auto. -Jerry was satisfied with the punishment he had inflicted and did not -follow. Noddy quickly cranked up his machine and leaped to the steering -seat. - -"Come on, Jack!" he cried. - -Pender wiggled from the grip in which Ned held him, jumped into the car -beside the bully and the next instant the two enemies of the Motor Boys -were chugging off down the road. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -ENCIRCLED BY COWBOYS. - - -For a few moments the three chums stood staring at the vanishing auto. -Then Jerry, with a grunt, felt of his damaged eye. - -"I guess I don't owe Noddy anything," he remarked, drily. - -"I paid off some old scores to Pender," said Ned, with a grin. - -"Wish I'd got a chance at one of them!" observed Bob. - -"You're just as well off, Chunky," spoke Jerry. "We may as well keep on -to town, now the excitement is over. It's getting late, and I'm hungry." - -In about half an hour they were in the village, where they found a good -hotel. They caught no sight of Noddy and his companions. - -The next morning the boys made a hasty breakfast and hired a man to -drive them out to their stranded auto. They found Nestor just awakening -from what he declared had been a refreshing sleep. The punctured tire -was soon repaired, and, dismissing the driver of the wagon, the boys and -the miner sped to town in the machine. They put up at the hotel, where -Nestor made a good breakfast. - -As a few supplies were needed for the auto, it was decided to lay over -for a day in the town. Jerry attended to the purchases, while Nestor and -the other boys took things easy in the room they had hired at the hotel. - -"I'm sure glad I met you, boys," said the old miner, stretching out in a -comfortable chair. "I'm jest countin' the days 'till we git out to the -gold mine." - -"Will it take long now?" asked Ned. - -"We ought to reach Tucson in about two weeks now. Of course it's going -to be a little hard gittin' over the New Mexico mountain range, but -I guess the choo-choo wagon will do it. We may have a little trouble -findin' the mine, too." - -"I thought you said you had it all staked out," observed Chunky. - -"So I have," answered Nestor. "But you see it's in a part of the -mountains not very well traveled. I've lost my way more than once there. -But I reckon I can find the mine. Once I strike the trail leadin' out of -Dead Horse Gulch I'm all right. The mine isn't far from there." - -If the miner could have looked into the next room he would not have -talked so freely concerning the mine. For, in the adjoining apartment -was Bill Berry. He listened intently to what Nestor said, and soon was -able to tell, from the conversation, who the occupants in the room next -to him were. - -"A gold mine, eh?" said Bill, softly. "I reckon Noddy and I will get in -on that deal. We must profit by this. I wish Noddy would hurry up. We -must follow those young cubs." - -Bill, in a measure, was stranded at the hotel. He had reached it after -leaving Noddy the night previous, and expected his companion to follow, -after repairing the auto, and pick him up. But the encounter between -Noddy and the Motor Boys made the former change his plans, and he ran -the machine through the village without stopping for Berry. Later, -however, Noddy came back and got his companion. - -For some time Nestor and the boys conversed about the gold mine, the man -telling the lads many stories of western life. Jerry had completed his -purchases by dusk, the auto tanks were refilled with gasolene and water, -and the start was made early the next morning. - -A few hours of travel brought the adventurers to the Mississippi River, -and crossing it, they found themselves in Missouri. For several days the -auto journeyed on, and Kansas was more than half traversed. - -One hot afternoon, passing over a road that led across the rolling -prairie, Bob, who was steering, looked ahead and noticed quite a cloud -of dust. - -"Looks like a whirlwind coming," he remarked. - -Nestor stood up and peered forward. - -"So it is, but not the kind you're used to," he said. - -"What kind is it?" - -"Cowboys, an' they're headed right for us. I expect there'll be some fun -presently," and the miner began loading his big revolver. - -"Will they--will they kill us?" asked Bob. - -"Well, no; not exactly kill you," spoke the miner, slowly, "but they'll -try to scare you to death, and that's about as bad." - -The wind now bore to the ears of the boys a thundering sound. It was -the rapid hoof-beats of the cowboys' ponies as they raced along. As yet -nothing of the riders could be seen because of the dust. - -Suddenly there came from the center of the cloud a series of terrific -yells, punctuated by a score of revolver shots. At the same time forty -cowboys were disclosed to the astonished gaze of the Cresville lads. Bob -stopped the machine, for it was fairly surrounded by a circle of the -rough riders. - -"Throw up your hands!" yelled one who seemed to be the leader of the -herders. He was astride a black pony, and as he spoke he leveled two big -revolvers at the party in the auto. - -Tremblingly, the boys obeyed. - -"I mean you, too, you old greaser on the back of this new-fangled stage -coach!" exclaimed the leader, waving his gun at Nestor. "Put up your -hands, an' do it mighty suddint!" - -Nestor's reply was a shot from his revolver, and the hat of the leader -went spinning in the air. - -"Here!" cried the cowboy, angrily, but not returning the fire, "don't -you know better than to shoot a gentleman's hat off?" - -"Gentlemen?" inquired Nestor, standing up and surveying the bunch of -cattlemen, with a smile. "I don't see any." - -There was a laugh among the herdsmen at the discomfiture of their -leader, and seeing the joke was against him, the man on the black pony -joined in the merriment. - -"We didn't intend no harm nohow," he said. "We're jest out for a lark, -an' we seen your Old Nick wagon comin' along. No offense I hope. We was -only jokin'!" - -"Don't mention it," said Nestor, who seemed to know how to take the -cowboys. "I suppose my friends may now lower their hands," for Jerry, -Ned and Bob still held their arms aloft. - -"Sure!" cried the leader, quickly. "Come on, boys, three cheers for the -tenderfeet!" he exclaimed, turning to his companions. - -The cheers were given with a will, some of the more exuberant of the -cow-punchers firing their guns in the air. - -"Some of us boys would like mighty well to take a little spin in that -shebang," spoke the leader to Nestor. "S'pose we could take a few turns?" - -"I reckon so," answered the miner, and he spoke a few quick words to -Jerry, advising that the wish of the cowboys be complied with, as they -might, in their recklessness, make trouble if they were denied. - -Jerry took Bob's place at the wheel, the others got out and the leader -of the cowboys and two of his companions got into the auto. They were -delighted with the way Jerry spun the machine along. By turns nearly all -of the cattle rustlers were given a short journey in the car. - -Then three, who seemed full of the spirit of mischief, took their seats. -No sooner had Jerry started off with them than the cowboy in the seat -with him tried to grab the steering wheel. - -"Hold on there!" exclaimed the boy. - -"That's all right, sonny," said the cowboy. "I reckon I can run this as -well as you. Let me have a turn at it. I'll show you what's what!" - -Jerry was firm in his refusal to let the man run the machine. He knew -the cattle-puncher would speedily come to grief. Nestor observed the -little difficulty and appealed to the leader to use his persuasion on -the refractory fellow. - -But the latter's two companions now joined in his demand, and Jerry -was being roughly handled as the men sought to put him from his seat. -Suddenly the boy brought the car to a stop. He had a plan in mind. - -"Did you ever see an automobile turn a somersault?" he asked the man who -had first wanted to steer. - -"No, I didn't, sonny," was the answer. - -"Would you like to see it?" - -"Bet your boots." - -"I can't do it with you in, it takes experts to work that trick," went -on Jerry. "If you will kindly get out and allow my friends to get back -in, I think I can surprise you." - -"Whoop!" yelled the cowboys in the auto, as they descended. "Whoop! Now -for some fun!" - -Jerry drove the car to where Nestor, Bob and Ned were standing. He -motioned them to get in, and they obeyed, wondering what he was going to -do. The cowboys, gathered in a wide circle about the machine, looked on -in anticipation of seeing the auto do a flip-flop. - -"Hold fast!" cautioned Jerry to his companions in the car. They did so. -The next instant the boy put on full power and dashed straight at the -encircling ring of cattlemen. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -CAPTURING A HORSE THIEF. - - -"Whoop! Watch it turn over!" yelled some of the cowboys. - -But Jerry kept straight on. Nearer and nearer he came to the ring. -At length, ten feet away, when he feared he would have to put on the -emergency brake to avoid a collision, the nervous mustangs in front of -the car broke into a frightened run and dashed over the prairie, while -Jerry guided the car away from the herdsmen, who were soon left far -behind. - -"I told them I'd give 'em a surprise, and I did," said Jerry. "I didn't -promise to make the auto turn a flip-flop, I only asked them if they -ever saw it done. Well, I never did, either. I guess things are about -evened up." - -The astonished cries of the cattlemen left no doubt but that Jerry's -trick to escape from them had been very much of a surprise. - -"They didn't intend any harm," said Nestor. "I know the character of -cowboys. They're full of fun an' thoughtless. It's jest as well we got -away, though. No tellin' what damage they'd have done to the machine." - -The auto rolled along for several miles and the occupants were beginning -to think of supper, which they planned to eat in a small town about -three miles further on. - -"What's that?" asked Ned, pointing off to the left of the road. The -others looked, and saw strolling over the prairie a peculiar figure. - -It was that of a little man, wearing a big, flapping brimmed hat. The -old fellow held a big butterfly net in his right hand, and a large, -green box in the other. On his back was slung a bag. Every now and then -the stranger would raise the net high in the air and bring it down with -a swoop. - -"That's funny," remarked Jerry. - -"Looks to me like he was looney," suggested Nestor. - -Jerry brought the machine to a stop. The queer little man came nearer. -His eyes were staring in front of him at something he seemed to desire -to capture in the net. Whatever it was it continually escaped him. - -At length the odd figure was close to the automobile. Yet the little -man did not notice the car. Suddenly his eyes glanced at one of the big -front tires. The boys looked and saw perched on the rubber a small, -brown butterfly. - -"Softly--softly!" exclaimed the little man, speaking to himself. "Easy -now. I have you, my beauty. Long have you escaped me, but I am on your -trail. Ah! Don't move now. Softly! There!" - -He banged the net down on the tire, sprang forward and caught the meshes -between his fingers. Through his bespectacled eyes he peered eagerly at -what he thought he had captured. A disappointed look came on his face. - -"Got away again!" he muttered. Then he looked up and saw the party in -the auto watching him. He did not seem in the least surprised. At once -his eyes fastened on Jerry. - -"Don't move! Don't move! I beg of you!" he cried to the boy. "Don't stir -as you value your life. I'll lose one thousand dollars if you move the -hundredth part of an inch! Easy now. Ah! There you are, my little brown -beauty. Don't move, my boy, and I'll catch it in a second!" - -Somewhat puzzled at the little man's words, Jerry sat still. His -companions saw on his back the little brown butterfly that had escaped -from the tire. - -Quickly the little man brought his net down on Jerry's shoulders. Once -more the meshes were eagerly grasped, and this time it seemed with -success, for the little man set up a yell of delight and capered about -like a boy who has found a hornets' nest. - -"I've got it! I've got it!" he cried. "One of the rarest butterflies -that exist. I've been chasing after this one all day. I knew I'd get -it. But pardon me, gentlemen. No doubt you are surprised. Allow me to -introduce myself. Professor Uriah Snodgrass, A. M., Ph.D., M. D., F. R. -G. S., etc." - -"Is that all, pardner?" asked Nestor, with a grin. - -"I contemplate taking the degree of B. A. this winter, when I have -completed my study of the fauna and flora of the prairies," replied the -little man. - -Jerry introduced himself and his companions, and said they were making a -tour across country. - -"Just what I am doing myself," said Professor Snodgrass. "I am -collecting specimens of rare plants, stones, bugs, butterflies, in fact, -anything that can add to knowledge and science. I have been out all -day----" - -He stopped talking and made a sudden grab at the sleeve of Nestor's coat. - -"What's the matter?" exclaimed the miner. "Rattlesnake?" - -"Pardon me!" replied the professor. "There was a very scarce specimen of -what is commonly called the potato bug on you, and I wanted it." - -"I'd rather you'd have it than me," observed Nestor. - -"Thank you," replied Professor Snodgrass, as he placed the bug, together -with the butterfly, in his green box. "What was I saying?" - -"That you had been out all day," repeated Jerry. - -"Oh, yes! I left town early this morning, and my labors have been richly -repaid. See, I have my box and bag nearly full." - -He showed the box. Through the glass top the boys could see that it was -full of toads, grasshoppers, small snakes, lizards, bugs, butterflies -and bees. The bag was loaded with stones, grass, pieces of wood, plants -and flowers. - -"It has been a grand day," went on the professor, enthusiastically, "and -I haven't had a bit of dinner." - -"None of that for mine," put in Nestor. "I wouldn't go without my meals -for all the bugs and stones in the world." - -"Ah, but you are not a naturalist," observed the professor, wiping his -bald head. - -"Did you walk all the way?" asked Ned. - -"No; I had a horse. And, bless my soul, I've forgotten what I did with -the beast. I got off him early this morning to chase after that brown -butterfly and I left the horse standing somewhere on the prairie." - -"He evidently was too fond of your company to leave you, however," said -Jerry. - -"Why so, young man?" and the professor gazed up through his spectacles. - -"Because that is evidently him coming along back there," and Jerry -pointed to a horse slowly approaching. - -"Ah, yes! There he is. I'm glad I didn't lose him, for I suppose the man -from whom I hired him would have been angry." - -"I guess yes," spoke Nestor, in a whisper. - -"If you are going into town we'll ride along with you," said Ned. "That -is, if your horse isn't afraid of automobiles." - -"I don't think he is afraid of anything," replied the professor. "I -captured a fine specimen of grasshopper on his left ear this morning, -and he never shied when I put the net over his head." - -The little man, seeing that his bag and box were safely strapped to his -back, and folding up his net, mounted the horse that had approached -where he was standing and started off alongside of the auto, which Jerry -ran slowly. - -The boys learned that the professor was stopping in the same town where -they planned to spend the night. - -"We'll be there very soon now," observed the little man, "and I'll be -glad of it, for I'm hungry." - -Suddenly, from behind, there came a wild chorus of yells and shouts, -revolver shots mingling with the noise. - -"It's the cowboys coming back!" cried Ned. - -"Nonsense; they are miles behind us," observed Nestor. - -"Well, they're some kind of cowboys, anyhow," cried Jerry. "And they're -after us." - -Bang! bang! went the guns. "Whoop!" yelled the cattlemen who were riding -like mad. "Stop the horse thief!" they shouted. - -Nearer and nearer came the cattlemen, a bunch similar to those who had -wanted to run the auto. - -"They seem to be after us," observed Bob. - -"We haven't stolen any horses," said Ned. - -"What's all the noise about?" asked Professor Snodgrass, suddenly -becoming aware that there was some commotion. He was riding close to the -auto. - -There came a hissing, whistling sound in the air. A long, thin line shot -forward. A loop settled around the professor's neck. The next instant he -was jerked, none too gently, from the back of his horse and fell to the -ground. He had been lassoed from behind by one of the cowboys. - -Jerry shut off the power and the auto stopped. In a few seconds it -was surrounded by a crowd of angry men. Several of them drew their -revolvers, while two or three busied themselves in securely binding the -poor professor. - -"What's all this for?" asked Nestor, getting ready to draw his gun. - -"I don't know as it's any of your business, unless you're in on the -game," spoke a dark-complexioned cowboy, who seemed to be the leader. - -"What game?" asked the miner. - -"Stealing horses," was the reply. - -"Who's stolen any nags around here?" demanded Nestor. - -"That bald-headed galoot!" exclaimed the cowboy. "We want him for taking -that pony he was riding. It belongs to One-Eyed Pete." - -"He never stole that!" exclaimed Jerry. - -"He didn't, eh? Well, he can tell that to Judge Lynch. There's only one -thing happens to horse thieves in this country." - -"Swing him up!" yelled the cowboys, yanking Professor Snodgrass to his -feet. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE AUTO ON FIRE. - - -"Can't we save him?" cried Jerry to Nestor. "He never took that horse. -It's all a mistake." - -"It's no use to reason with those brutes," said the miner. "They -evidently believe they're right. It's too bad, but we'd only git into -trouble if we interfered." - -"Bring him along, boys!" cried the leader. "There's a tree that will do -to swing him from, and I've got the rope!" - -The boys were almost horror-stricken at the scene they were about to -witness. It was bad enough to see any one hanged, but to witness the -death of the little bug-hunting man they all believed innocent was too -much. - -The cowboys, with the poor professor in their midst, rode across the -prairie to where a single tree grew. They had quieted down, now that -their man-hunt was over. Jerry started the auto and steered it across -the rolling land toward the scene of the prospective lynching. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Nestor. - -"I can't desert him," replied Jerry. "Maybe we can get the cowboys to -let him go." - -Nestor shook his head pityingly. He knew the rough western men too well. -They never let even a suspected horse thief escape. - -Little time was lost in preparation. Once beneath the tree the men -formed in a circle. The rope was thrown over a limb and a noose made. -The professor was placed beneath it, and the other end of the rope was -grasped by a dozen hands. - -"Have you anything to say before we string you up?" asked the leader. - -Aside from a little paleness, which hardly showed in the waning -afternoon, Professor Snodgrass gave no sign of what must be a terrible -ordeal for him. He did not seem to appreciate what was taking place. - -Suddenly, as he stood beneath the fatal noose, he leaned forward. One -hand sought the green box which was still strapped to his back. The -other went out with a cautious gesture to the arm of the leader of the -cowboys. - -"Don't stir! Don't move for the world!" exclaimed the professor, in a -strained whisper. "Just a second and I'll have him!" - -His hand closed on something on the leader's coat-sleeve and he uttered -a cry that was more of delight than fear. - -"I've got it! I've got it!" he cried. - -"Got what?" asked the cowboy. - -"One of the rarest specimens of a prairie lizard that exists!" replied -the professor, as, all unconscious of the dangling noose, he thrust the -specimen into his green box. "This is certainly a lucky day for me." - -"I'd say it was particularly unlucky," observed the leader, with a grim -smile, adjusting the noose about the neck of the naturalist. - -"Why, what's all the fuss about?" asked the professor, noticing for the -first time that he was in a crowd. "Has anything happened?" - -"Well, I'll be jiggered!" exclaimed Nestor, who overheard the -conversation. "The poor professor is so absent-minded that he don't know -he's been lassoed and is all ready to be strung up!" - -"Hold fast!" exclaimed Jerry, suddenly. "I'm going to rescue him!" - -"How?" asked Nestor. - -"I'm going to run the auto in close to him. When I do, you reach out and -grab him up." - -"Sure, I'm on!" said Nestor. - -Jerry gave a loud blast on the horn. The cowboys, who did not know -exactly what to do about hanging a man who didn't seem to mind being -lynched, turned to see what was going on, having forgotten all about the -auto. There was a living lane between the men right up to where the bug -collector stood. - -Jerry sent the machine ahead with a rush. Straight at the professor he -steered it. Then, when very close to the bug hunter he gave the wheel a -twist. - -Nestor, who was in the rear seat, on the side nearest Mr. Snodgrass, -leaned over. As he swept past the professor the miner grabbed him up, -box, basket, net and all, and lifted him into the auto. - -"Full speed ahead!" yelled Nestor, and Jerry threw on all the power he -had. - -The little, bald-headed man was yanked from under the tree, and, as the -noose was about his neck the rope came along with him, pulled from the -surprised and unresisting hands of the cowboys. - -They gave a great shout of astonishment, and several leaped on their -horses to give pursuit. Others drew their revolvers and fired at the -fast-vanishing auto, but the machine was soon out of reach of the -bullets. - -"That's what I call pullin' off a pretty neat trick," observed Nestor. -"They'd have hung you in another minute, professor." - -"I'm sure I'm much obliged to you," observed the little man, calmly. "I -hope my specimens are not injured, for I have some very valuable ones." - -"Well, he is the limit!" said Nestor, half to himself. "He gits pulled -out of the very jaws of death an' all he cares about is his bugs an' -butterflies!" - -Soon they were nearly at the town where they were to stop overnight. The -professor, who seemed a little dazed from what he had gone through, was -gazing at the rope that had been taken from his neck and tossed to the -floor of the tonneau. All at once he stood up and shot a glance at a -horse that was grazing beside the road. - -"Hold on!" he cried. - -"What's the matter--want to take another nag?" asked Nestor. - -"No; but that is the horse I hired. I recognize him by the extra -butterfly net I fastened to the saddle. I was afraid I might lose one. -The other horse wasn't mine." - -"Wasn't yours?" fairly shouted the miner. "Then whose was it?" - -"It must have belonged to the cowboys," was the answer. "You see, I -forgot all about my horse until I met you. Then I took the first animal -I saw. I supposed, of course, it was mine." - -"Then you really were a horse thief after all," said Ned, laughing, -"though you didn't know it." - -"And the cowboys were right, as far as they knew," observed Jerry. "They -saw you on one of their horses and naturally thought you stole it. -However, it all came out right, and I guess I did the best thing when I -rescued you, for they might have hanged you before the mistake was found -out." - -The auto created no little surprise as it puffed through the western -town, though a sign, "Gasolene for Sale," exhibited in front of the drug -store, indicated that machines sometimes paid a visit. The hotel where -Professor Snodgrass was stopping was soon reached, and every one washed -up and had supper. - -The next morning, after a few minor repairs had been made to the auto, -and the gasolene tank replenished, the travelers prepared to start away -again. The professor was up to see them off. - -"I wish I was going with you," he said, with a pleasant smile, after -they had told him something of the trip they had in view. - -"Why can't you?" inquired Jerry. "We are going into somewhat new -territory, and you may be able to collect some fine specimens. We can -easily make room for you." - -"I might go along with you on a horse," ventured the little man. - -"That's too risky," observed Nestor. "Take the boys' offer and come -along without a horse." - -"I believe I will; I have nothing to keep me here," said the bug -collector, and so it was arranged. - -A good stock of provisions was laid in, the auto being piled with all -it could hold and still leave room for the five passengers. Nestor said -they would probably have to camp out a few nights, as on leaving Kansas -and skirting down into New Mexico, settlements were few and far between. -So some rubber and woolen blankets were added to the outfit. - -So far the weather had been fine, but this morning there was a haze in -the sky that denoted a storm. It did not worry any one, however, and -made the professor smile. - -"There'll be so many more grasshoppers and bugs for me after the -shower," he observed. - -An hour passed, and the auto was bowling along at a good pace on a level -stretch of road. Soon Nestor, who was sitting in front with Bob, who was -steering, jumped up. - -"What's the matter?" inquired Jerry. "One of the professor's -grasshoppers bite you?" - -"The seat seems to be gittin' too hot for comfort," said the miner. - -From beneath the auto there came a muffled explosion, followed by a big -cloud of smoke. Then flames shot out, and the whole under side of the -car was enveloped. - -"We're on fire!" yelled Bob, preparing to jump. - -"Sit still!" exclaimed Jerry. "Don't let go the wheel whatever you do!" - -"Turn off the gasolene!" cried Ned. "The tank is leaking and the -gasolene is burning!" - -There was great excitement. The only person who kept his head was -Professor Snodgrass. He did not seem to know the auto was on fire, but -was calmly examining a small bug crawling on the cushion near him. - -"What shall we do?" wailed Bob. "The auto will be destroyed!" - -"We're in a bad fix!" muttered the miner. - -Bob reached over to shut off the power, and was making ready to jump. - -"Sit still!" exclaimed Jerry. - -"And be killed?" objected Bob. - -The smoke became more dense and the flames spouted up higher around the -car. - -"Quick! There's a small creek! Steer for it!" yelled Jerry, pointing -ahead. - -Bob saw the water and realized Jerry's plan. He quickly turned the auto -toward the water. There was a sort of ford turning off from the main -road, which latter led over a small bridge. - -Into the creek dashed the burning machine. There was a hiss as the water -reached the flames, and clouds of steam arose. - -Then, amid a swish of spray, the machine shot out on the opposite bank, -only the machinery, as far up as the under side of the floor of the car, -having been submerged. The fire was put out as good as if a whole city -department had been called to battle with the flames. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -AT DEAD MAN'S GULCH. - - -Bob brought the auto to a stop under a big sycamore tree. The engine was -still smoking, and there was considerable heat. Jerry jumped out and -examined the car. - -"Not much damage done," he said, after a long inspection. "I guess we -can fix it up." - -"Can we go on?" asked Ned, anxiously. - -"It will take a good hour to mend things," replied Jerry. - -"That will give me a chance to gather some bugs," observed the -professor. "Pardon me," he exclaimed to Nestor. "There is a beautiful -specimen of a katydid on your leg," and, with a deft gesture, the bug -collector captured the insect and transferred it to his box. - -"I hope you didn't want it yourself," said the naturalist, looking -rather anxiously at the miner, who seemed surprised. - -"Oh, land, no!" was the reply. "Help yourself whenever you see any of -the crawlin' things on me. It's a favor, more than anything else. I -hate bugs an' things." - -While the professor wandered about with his net, Jerry proceeded to -repair the leak to the gasolene tank. Bob and Ned decided they were -hungry, and got out some lunch, of which, a little later, all were glad -to partake. - -"There," announced Jerry, "I guess we can go on again." - -"There's a good place to camp about twenty miles farther on," said -Nestor. - -"What place is it?" asked Ned. - -"Dead Man's Gulch," was the grim reply. - -"Doesn't sound very pleasant," observed Bob. - -"It's a better locality than it sounds, Chunky," went on Nestor. -"There's a little town there, if you want to sleep in beds." - -The boys decided to push for the Gulch, not that sleeping in beds was -an inducement, for they rather liked the idea of resting in the open. -But the gathering clouds indicated rain, and that would make camping out -rather damp. - -Without further mishap the machine was sent along. Ned was at the wheel -and he turned on plenty of gasolene so that the car fairly skimmed over -the roads. As they passed a stone post on the highway, Nestor called out: - -"Good-by, Kansas!" - -"What's that for?" asked Ned. - -"Because that's the boundary mark between Kansas and Indian Territory," -replied the miner. "We are now on the old Indian ground, pretty soon -we'll be in Texas, and then we'll land in New Mexico." - -"We're getting to be travelers for fair!" remarked Bob. - -The gathering clouds became blacker and a strong wind sprang up. There -was every prospect of a severe storm, and Ned sent the machine ahead -still faster. As it came to the top of a little hill, Nestor exclaimed: - -"There's Dead Man's Gulch!" - -Looking down into the valley, the boys saw a small settlement. - -"Hold the machine back," cautioned the miner. "It may get away from you -on the grade." - -Ned shut off the power and coasted down. In half an hour they reached -the level and started up the road, which led into the main street, and, -in fact, the only thoroughfare in the town. Just as they reached the -solitary hotel in the settlement the rain came down in torrents. - -The auto was run under a shed and the occupants entered the hostelry, to -the no small surprise of the inmates of the place, who had not heard the -car come up. - -"Howdy, strangers?" called the clerk, a big man, with an immense black -moustache. - -"Howdy?" responded Nestor, who seemed much at his ease, though the boys -were rather startled to find themselves in what was evidently rough -company. - -"Where ye from?" asked the clerk. - -"East," replied Nestor. - -"Where ye goin'?" - -"West." - -"Ain't much on the talk, be ye, stranger?" sneered the clerk. - -"I am when it suits me." - -"Aw! he's one of them stuck-up automobilists!" put in a tall, thin, -dark-complexioned man, who was sitting in one chair, with his feet in -another. - -"An' who might you be?" asked Nestor, turning to him. - -"Pud Stoneham, at your service," and the dark man bowed with elaborate -grace, a sneering smile spreading over his face. - -"Well, you'd better be mindin' your own business!" snapped Nestor, -turning away. - -"What's that!" exclaimed Stoneham, who was a gambler, hanging around the -hotel on the lookout for victims. "I don't allow any man to insult me!" -and he reached his hand to his hip-pocket, with a quick gesture. - -Before he could draw his gun, which was his intention, Nestor had him -covered with a weapon. - -"No shootin', gentlemen!" called the clerk. "Against the rules. Put up -your gun, stranger." - -"Not unless he agrees to put up his," stipulated Nestor. - -"I'll make him," said the clerk. And, with a scowl, Stoneham promised to -be peaceable. In a little while he sneaked out. - -Nestor and the boys registered and were assigned to rooms for the night. -The hotel was not a very stylish one, but they were glad even for the -rough accommodations when they heard the torrent of rain outside. - -While they were washing up for supper, Ned suddenly called out: - -"Hark!" - -"What is it? The place on fire?" asked Jerry. - -"I thought I heard an automobile horn," replied Ned. - -"Maybe some boys are monkeying with our machine," came from Bob. - -"No, it isn't that, Chunky," went on Ned, looking from a window. - -"What then?" - -"It's another automobile coming up the road. My, how the mud and water -splashes! And, say! Good land! Who do you suppose is in the car?" - -"The President?" answered Jerry, sozzling his face in the water. - -"It's Noddy Nixon, Jack Pender and Bill Berry!" - -"No!" - -"Yes, it is!" - -The others crowded to the windows to look. Sure enough, there were the -three enemies of the Motor Boys. They ran their machine up under the -shed where stood the red auto, and then Ned lost sight of them. - -"Well, it's a free country," observed Nestor. "It looks as if they were -following you, but there's no law to prevent it. I guess they won't stay -here long, though, after that chap that robbed me knows I'm stopping at -this hotel. Wait until I get my hands on him." - -"Perhaps it would be better not to let him know who you are," suggested -Jerry. "They may be up to some trick, and we can work to better -advantage against them by keeping quiet." - -"Right you are," admitted the miner, after thinking the matter over. "He -wouldn't know me if he saw me, since I got shaved. We'll just lay low -an' watch." - -The Motor Boys, with Nestor and Professor Snodgrass, were the first -ones down to the dining-room to supper. In a little while Noddy, Jack -and Bill entered. The three latter started in surprise at beholding the -Cresville boys, and for a moment seemed undecided what to do. Then, at -a whispered word from Berry, they filed to the other side of the room -and took their seats at a table. - -"I wonder if they really followed us," Jerry said. - -"Must have," was Nestor's opinion. "But I reckon they didn't expect to -find you here." - -"But what can their object be?" - -"I don't think they exactly know themselves," replied the miner. "I -guess they hope to annoy you, or they may expect to get a line on what -our plans are. But we'll try to fool 'em." - -Before the meal was over, Pud Stoneham came in and took a seat at -Noddy's table. In a little while the gambler seemed to be on good terms -with Bill Berry and his companions. - -It was still raining hard when the three boys, with the professor and -Nestor, went up to bed. The naturalist and the boys had two rooms, while -Nestor was by himself. Noddy and his chums disappeared after the meal, -Pud Stoneham accompanying them. - -It must have been about midnight when Nestor was awakened by hearing -voices in the room next to his. At first he paid no attention to them, -for he was sleepy. But he sat up suddenly when he heard some one say: - -"They're on the trail of a rich gold mine. I know, for I heard the old -man talking about it." - -"Are you sure, Bill?" asked a second voice, which Nestor recognized as -Noddy's. - -"Sure as I am that my name is Berry," was the reply. - -"Then, count me in on the game," said a third man, whom the miner had -no difficulty in knowing was Pud Stoneham. "I've got money. We'll go in -this together and win out. I owe that miner something for insulting me, -an' I'll pay him back, too!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -NODDY STEALS A MARCH. - - -Nestor sat up in bed, listening with all his might. But though he could -hear a murmur of voices in the next room, and though he was certain -Noddy and his companions were plotting against him and his friends, the -miner could hear nothing more definite. - -"Forewarned is forearmed," he said, softly. "We'll see who'll win out, -Pud Stoneham!" - -Nestor was up early the next morning. The weather had cleared and it was -a beautiful day. The boys came down to breakfast with heavy eyes, for -they had slept soundly. Professor Snodgrass, too, had arisen early, and -was already searching for rare bugs. - -"I want to get a red tree-toad," he explained, as he strolled up at the -sound of the breakfast gong, "but I am afraid they are not to be had." - -Suddenly he grabbed Ned's arm as the boy was walking toward the -automobile shed. - -"One moment, I beg of you!" exclaimed the professor. "Steady now! Ah! I -have the beauty. He was right on the back of your neck!" And he reached -over and took from Ned's coat a small insect. - -"It's an extremely choice specimen of a sand flea," said the professor, -proudly, popping the little animal into a glass case. "I hope I did not -discommode you in removing it from you." - -"Not at all," laughed Ned, and the others smiled at the simple -earnestness of the bug collector. - -"I want to have a talk with you boys after breakfast," spoke Nestor. - -His grave manner somewhat alarmed them, and they started to ask -questions, but he would say nothing until after the meal. Then he told -about what he had heard. - -"What worries me," said the miner, "is that I saw about the hotel a -fellow that tried to follow me an' my pardner one day, and locate the -lost mine. This chap's name is Tom Dalsett, and I saw him talking -to Stoneham, the gambler, just before we came in to breakfast. Some -mischief is in the wind when two such fellows whisper together." - -"Do you suppose they will try to get to the mine ahead of us?" asked -Jerry. - -"I haven't a doubt of it," replied the miner. "We've got to look sharp -from now on." - -"Had we better start right away?" inquired Ned. - -"It will do no harm to wait until the roads dry up a bit," was Nestor's -opinion. "In the meanwhile, see to the machine. Look over every part. -They may have damaged it during the night. See to your guns, too. We're -going to have trouble from now on, or my name isn't Jim Nestor." - -His words rather alarmed the boys, but they were not going to back out -now, and rather relished, than otherwise, a conflict with their old -enemy, Noddy Nixon. - -Jerry went to the shed where the automobile had been left for the night. -As he opened the door he uttered a cry of surprise. - -"What's the matter, have they taken our machine?" asked Ned. - -"No, they haven't done that, but they've skipped in their own," said -Jerry. "I wonder if they have done any mischief to ours?" - -"That gang has stolen a march on us, all right," spoke Nestor. "They've -gone on ahead. Well, they may get to the mine first, but we'll give them -the hardest kind of a fight for the possession of it. I'm not going to -lose a fortune if I can help it." - -Jerry soon ascertained that the red machine was not damaged. Nestor made -inquiries and learned that the other party had left before daybreak, Pud -Stoneham accompanying them. - -"What became of that chap with one eye and a scar on his left cheek?" -asked Nestor of the hotel clerk, the description fitting Dalsett. - -"Oh, he went off with the others in the gasolene gig this morning," was -the reply. - -It was plain now that Noddy and his gang were going to make a bold -strike to discover the lost mine ahead of Nestor and his friends. How -the Cresville bully had trailed the Motor Boys as far as he had was -somewhat of a mystery, though it was afterward learned that he had been -closer behind them after they left Chicago than they supposed. The -meeting at the hotel was an accident, though. - -A stiff breeze sprang up, and soon dried the muddy roads. An early -dinner was eaten and once more the party started forward, this time in -pursuit of Noddy. - -"It's too bad to have to leave without getting that red tree-toad," said -Professor Snodgrass. - -"We'll take you to a place where you can get horned toads," said Nestor. - -"Oh, that will be fine!" exclaimed the naturalist, with a boy's -enthusiasm. - -The roads were none of the best, and the auto could not be speeded with -safety. Nestor explained that the best plan would be to steer straight -south for a while, after reaching New Mexico, and skirt around the edge -of the mountain range, rather than attempt to make their way across the -Rockies. - -"It will take a little longer," he said, "but sometimes the longest -way 'round is the shortest way home. We'll aim for Messilla, which is -not far from El Paso, and it's somewhat civilized there, so we can get -supplies if we need 'em." - -The boys voted this plan a good one. By noon the auto had crossed the -narrow stretch of land which is part of Indian Territory, lying between -Texas and Colorado. Then they were in the big State of Texas, and, when -night came on, they found themselves on a vast plain. - -"It's a case of camp out to-night," said the miner. "Now we'll see what -sort of stuff you boys are made of." - -But if Nestor expected to find the Motor Boys tenderfeet, he was -mistaken. They had camped out too many times before not to know what to -do. - -The auto was run under the brow of a little hill, and Jerry took charge -of things. Bob gathered wood for a fire and Ned went on a hunt for -water. He found a little stream that answered admirably. Jerry got out -the coffee-pot and frying-pan, and soon had supper cooking. - -There was fried canned chicken, with crisp slices of bacon, some thick -biscuits, a jar of pickles and steaming hot coffee ready in a few -minutes. Bob got out the tin dishes, and, seating themselves on the -ground, the adventurers made a hearty meal. - -"Well, I must give you boys credit for knowin' a wrinkle or two," spoke -Nestor. "I couldn't have done any better myself." - -"It's a good thing I bought some of those canned goods," said Jerry. "I -thought that would be better than depending on what we could hunt." - -Supper over, and the things put away, the boys got out their blankets in -readiness for the night. Nestor lighted his pipe and was puffing away, -while in the fast-gathering dusk Professor Snodgrass went searching for -rare specimens. He was successful in capturing two odd grass snakes, and -seemed quite delighted. Then, as night settled down, each one rolled -himself up in his blanket and fell asleep. - -Ned awoke first the next morning, and soon had the fire going and -coffee made. The aromatic smell of the beverage greeted the others as -they roused themselves, and soon a simple but satisfying breakfast was -served. Then the journey was continued. - -It was a fine day, and the adventurers breathed in great whiffs of the -pure air as their car dashed along. They passed through one or two small -settlements, but inquiries failed to develop any traces of Noddy and his -companions. - -"They may be going straight over the mountains," said Nestor. "Well, -even if they do I think we'll beat them in the race for the mine. -Mountain climbing is mighty onsartin' in one of these machines." - -But, had they only known it, Noddy and his gang were not aiming for the -mountains, and were but a little way in advance of our friends. However, -the Motor Boys soon learned, to their cost, where their enemy was. - -It was well along in the afternoon, and dinner had been eaten at a -rude shack of a hotel in a small village, that the auto was skimming -along, due south. Off to the right were the foothills of the mighty -Rocky Mountains, while to the left was a vast rolling plain. Jerry was -steering, with Bob on the seat beside him, while in the rear were the -others, Professor Snodgrass busily engaged in sorting over some of his -specimens. - -All at once a low, rumbling sound was heard. - -"Is that thunder?" asked Ned. - -"Can't be," replied Nestor. "There's not a cloud in the sky." Then he -stood up and glanced behind him. - -"Great Scott!" he yelled. "Put on all the speed you've got!" - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. - -"Matter?" shouted the miner. "There's a herd of stampeded cattle coming -straight for us. If they're not turned aside they'll go over us like a -locomotive over a fly! Quick! Turn over toward the hills! Maybe we can -escape them!" - -In terror, the boys looked behind them. Coming on with a mad rush, with -a thunder of thousands of hoofs, and deep-mouthed bellows, were the -steers, galloping like the wind! - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -IN THE NICK OF TIME. - - -Jerry headed the machine toward the foothills. Once among them the -adventurers might escape. The auto was going almost at full speed, -swaying from side to side on the rough road. Nestor, who was keeping -watch of the herd, cried out: - -"I'm afraid it's no use. They have turned and are right after us!" - -The steers had changed their course to follow the red auto, which they -probably took for an enemy. The thunder of their hoofs came nearer. - -Fast as the auto was going, its speed was not enough to take it out of -reach of the infuriated animals, for the rough prairie was retarding it, -but it was just the kind of country the cattle loved. - -Even Nestor, familiar as he was with danger, seemed much alarmed at the -plight. The boys' hearts were well-nigh terror-stricken, but as for -Professor Snodgrass, he did not appear at all frightened. He still kept -on sorting his specimens. - -The auto topped a little hill, having to slow up a bit at the grade. -Down it went on the other side, but still the steers came on. A long -level stretch of country appeared. - -"We ought to be able to get away from them here!" cried Jerry, turning -on more gasolene and increasing the current from the batteries. The auto -seemed to jump forward. - -"Look out! Stop!" yelled Nestor, seizing Jerry by the arm. - -"We can't! We'll be killed if we do!" shouted the boy, thinking the -miner had lost his head through fear. - -"And we'll be dashed to death if we keep on! We're running straight for -a precipice three hundred feet high! Shut down the machine or we'll go -over the cliff!" - -With a yank at the levers, Jerry turned off the power and put on the -brakes. And it was only just in time, for, not one hundred feet ahead, -the prairie came to an abrupt end, terminating in a sheer bluff, -over which the auto and those in it would have been dashed had not -the miner's practiced eye told him what to expect. He recognized the -conformation of the land and knew what was coming. - -The adventurers were now between two dangers. They could not go on -because of the precipice, and their escape to the rear was cut off -by the maddened steers that now were but a quarter of a mile away, -thundering on fiercely. To turn to the left or right was impossible, as -the line of cattle was a curving one, like a pair of horns, and to go to -either side meant to run straight into the midst of the beasts. - -"Let's get out of the machine and shoot as many as we can!" cried Ned, -drawing his revolver. "Maybe we can scare them away!" - -"Don't think of it!" exclaimed Nestor. "Cattle are used to seeing men -only on horseback or in wagons. Once on the ground we'd be trampled -under foot in an instant. Our only hope is to stay in the machine. It -will protect us somewhat when they rush over us." - -"Shall we shoot?" asked Jerry. - -"Our only chance is to turn them to one side, and shooting at them may -do it," replied the miner. "Get ready and we'll all fire at once." - -Each one drew his revolver, even Professor Snodgrass taking an extra one -Nestor had. The cattle were now about eight hundred feet away. - -"Fire!" cried Nestor. - -The five revolvers spurted slivers of flame, smoke and bullets. In rapid -succession every chamber was emptied, but the rush of the steers was not -checked. In fact, none of the cattle seemed to have been killed, or, if -any were, they fell down and were trampled under the hoofs of the others. - -"I guess we're done for!" groaned Nestor. "Crouch down on the bottom of -the car!" - -The galloping animals were almost at the auto. Suddenly there sounded -a fusillade of shots, mingled with wild yells. Jerry peered up over -the edge of his seat. He saw a man on a horse, riding straight across -in front of the line of cattle. In one hand the stranger held a big -revolver, which he fired right into the faces of the steers. In the -other he held his coat, which he was waving like a flag. - -At the same time he was yelling like a man gone mad. The reins of his -horse lay loose on the animal's neck, but the beast knew what was -expected of him. - -It seemed that the stranger would be knocked down and trampled under -thousands of sharp hoofs. But he did not seem afraid, riding closer and -closer to the line of steers. He emptied one revolver and drew another, -never ceasing to yell or wave his coat. - -Suddenly, with wild bellows, the leaders of the cattle turned. They were -frightened at the strange figure before them. For a few seconds there -was great confusion amid the mass of steers. Those behind the line of -leaders tried to go straight ahead, but the latter, once having made up -their minds that they would turn to the left did so. - -Then, like sheep following the bell-wether of the flock, the beasts took -after their leaders. They rushed to one side, thundering past within -twenty feet of the auto, while the stranger, pulling up his horse, -still continued to wave his coat and shout. - -[Illustration: THEY RUSHED TO ONE SIDE, THUNDERING PAST THE AUTO.] - -"He's saved our lives!" exclaimed Nestor. "He's stampeded the cattle -away from us in the nick of time!" - -On and on galloped the steers until the last one disappeared over the -rolling hills of the prairie. Then the man on the horse rode over to the -auto. - -"Howdy!" he called. - -"Howdy!" replied Nestor. - -"Got ye in kind of a tight place, didn't they?" went on the horseman. - -"We would have been killed only for you," spoke Jerry and his voice told -how thankful he was. - -"Oh, shoo! That wa'n't nothin'," replied the stranger. "I seen ye comin' -up in that there shebang of yours an' then I seen the cows chasin' ye. I -was a leetle afraid ye'd go over the cliff, but ye stopped in time. Then -I see it was up to me to stop them critters, an' I done it." - -"Lucky for us you did," put in Nestor. - -"I happened to be out huntin'," went on the horseman, "or I wouldn't -have seen ye. I know cattle an' their ways an' I knowed there was only -one way to head 'em off, an' that was to skeer 'em." - -"I'm Jim Nestor," said the miner, and he told the names of his -companions. - -"Glad to meet ye," said the horseman, dismounting and shaking hands -with each one. "I'm Hank Broswick." - -Nestor told the hunter something of the trip they were making, and -Broswick in turn related how he was a free-lance hunter, roving over the -prairies and among the mountains as suited his whims. - -"Had yer suppers?" Broswick asked. - -"No; an' I don't see any place around here to git 'em," spoke Nestor. -"We've got some grub, though, an' we'd be pleased to have your company." - -"Thanks. I can add my share to the meal," replied Broswick. "I'd jest -shot some prairie chickens afore ye come up, an' we'll roast 'em." - -While he went over to where he had left the fowls, Jerry backed the -auto, turned it around, and sent it down the hill to the level plain. - -"It's a case of camp out again to-night," observed Nestor. - -"That suits me," spoke Ned, and the other boys agreed with him. - -A fire was soon made, the prairie chickens were prepared for roasting, -coffee was set on to boil, and with some tinned biscuits the adventurers -made a hearty meal. - -Sitting around the camp-fire as night came on, the hunter told several -of his adventures while on the trail. Once he had a terrible fight with -a grizzly bear, the scars of the combat being visible on his face and -arms. - -"Are there any bears around here?" asked Bob. - -"Not getting afraid, are you, Chunky?" queried Ned. - -"No; I only just wanted to know," replied the stout youth, looking over -his shoulder in as careless a manner as he could assume. - -"Waal, there's a few now an' agin'," answered the hunter, "but they -don't bother me much, not while I have this along," and he patted a -rifle which he had left with his game before he rode out to stampede the -cattle. - -"Are you bound for any particular place?" asked Nestor of Hank. - -"Nope; I'm my own boss." - -"Then, why not come along with us?" proposed the miner. "We may need -your help, for there's a bad gang ahead of us." - -He told something of the plans of himself and the boys, in regard to the -gold mine, and related how there were enemies in front, and added that -he might pay the hunter for his time. - -"I'll go 'long!" exclaimed the hunter, after a moment's thought. "I used -to be a prospector myself." - -More fuel was heaped on the fire, the adventurers wrapped themselves in -their blankets and prepared to spend the night in the open. - -It was past midnight when Bob was suddenly awakened by feeling some one -trying to turn him over. - -"Go 'way," he said, sleepily. "Let me alone." - -Something cold and clammy was thrust against his face, and he heard the -breathing and noted the peculiar smell of some wild animal. - -With a shout of terror he sat upright. In the glow from the fire he saw, -rearing up on his haunches before him, a big, black bear! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A RUSH OF GOLD SEEKERS. - - -"Help! help!" screamed Bob. - -The bear made a dive for him and the boy cast himself forward on his -face. - -"What's the matter? What is it?" cried Hank Broswick, springing to his -feet. - -"Indians! Indians!" exclaimed Professor Snodgrass, rolling himself -tightly up in his blanket. - -"It isn't Indians! It's a bear killing Bob!" cried Jerry. - -The animal, with savage growls, had pounced on the unfortunate boy and -was trying to get hold of him with the powerful claws. Bob, after his -first wild screams, became quiet, digging his fingers into the earth to -hold himself down. - -"Wait a minute! I'll kill the brute!" cried the hunter. - -He had seized his ever-ready rifle and rushed over toward the bear. -But the fierce beast was so close to Bob that Broswick could not fire -without danger of hitting the lad. - -"Here, boy, take the gun!" yelled the hunter to Jerry. "If you see me -getting the worst of it, fire!" - -"What are you going to do?" exclaimed Jerry. - -"I'm going to kill that brute with my knife!" cried Broswick. - -Drawing a keen blade from the sheath at his belt, he jumped straight -on the bear's back. The beast, with a fierce growl of rage, turned and -tried to bite the legs of the strange enemy that was plunging something -terrible and sharp into his shoulders. - -Ned threw some wood on the fire. It blazed up brightly and, by the light -of it, the boys and Nestor saw the bear rear on his haunches, with -Broswick still clinging to his back. - -The hunter had one hand clasped in the shaggy fur of the brute, and -the other was sending the knife, again and again, into the thick skin, -trying to reach a vital spot. - -Bob had rolled to one side, out of harm's way, and suffered no more than -a rough mauling by the brute. But Broswick was not to escape so easily. - -With a sudden movement the bear turned, shook the hunter loose, and -then, before the brave fellow could defend himself, the savage animal -had clasped him in the terrible and powerful claws. - -"Help! He's squeezing me to death!" Broswick cried. - -His arms were pinned to his sides and he could not get a chance to use -his knife, which he still held. - -Jerry saw his chance. Approaching close to the bear from behind, the boy -placed the muzzle of the gun against the brute's head. - -There was a loud report, a last fierce growl, and the animal, with a -convulsive hug of the hunter, dropped over, dead. Jerry had shot just in -time. - -Broswick, too, fell to the earth and at first the boys thought he was -killed. But in a little while he arose and felt of his arms and legs. - -"I'm all here," he said. "Guess there ain't much harm done, but it was a -pretty tight squeeze!" - -"I thought you were a goner," spoke Jerry. - -"That ain't nothin'," answered the hunter. "You ought to hev seen me -fight a grizzly once!" - -In the light of the fire, which was now blazing brightly, it was seen -that the bear was a big specimen. As he lay stretched out on the ground -he measured eight feet from his nose to his short tail. - -"You know I tole ye there was a few bears now an' agin'," remarked the -hunter, as he gave his former foe a kick. "Waal, I reckon some of 'em -must 'a' heard me an' wanted to show I was tellin' the truth," he added, -with a drawl. - -No one felt much like sleep after this excitement, so they sat around -the camp-fire until it began to get light. Then coffee was made, and -the hunter proceeded to skin his prize. He cut off some choice steaks, -which were broiled over the coals. The boys thought they had never -tasted anything so good. - -After breakfast the tires were pumped up, the baggage was packed into -the auto and preparations made for the start. - -"Where's Professor Snodgrass?" asked Ned, noticing the absence of the -naturalist. Then they all remembered that they had not seen him since -the morning meal. - -"He's probably off gathering some bugs or stones," said Jerry. "Let's -give a yell to call him in." - -In a chorus they gave a loud hallo, and in reply received a faint call -from a small ravine. - -"He's over there," said Broswick, pointing in the direction the voice -had come from. "But hark! Sounds like he was in trouble!" - -Faintly the wind bore to the adventurers the sound of the professor's -voice pleading with some one. - -"Now, please don't!" he was saying, or rather calling aloud. "You know -you shouldn't do that! Let me alone, I say! Get out of my way or I'll -throw a stone at you!" - -"The Indians are after him!" exclaimed Bob. - -"There are no Indians around here, Chunky," spoke Jerry. "You must have -redskins on the brain." - -Broswick and Nestor hurried over to the ravine. As they reached it they -could be heard laughing long and heartily. Soon a small, wild goat was -seen to run from the cut, leaping away over the plain. Out of the defile -came the professor, Nestor and Broswick. - -"The wild goat had him treed," spoke Nestor. - -"Truly that was a savage brute," said the professor. "I was gathering -some specimens, and had my arms full, when along comes this beast, with -lowered horns, and nearly knocked me over. I had barely time to run for -my life and climb a tree before he was after me again. His sharp horns -scraped my shoe as I climbed. There I was, treed. I didn't dare come -down, for fear he would eat me, or horn me to death. I don't know what I -should have done if you gentlemen hadn't come along." - -"Oh, we only scared him away!" said Broswick. - -"Pardon me, just a moment," interrupted the professor, making a quick -motion toward Nestor and picking something from his shoulder. "There, I -have it. I am very much obliged to you." - -"What sort of game did ye git this trip?" asked the hunter, somewhat -amused at the naturalist. - -"A rare specimen of the fly that lives in the wool of wild goats," -replied the professor. "The insect is very valuable. It must have jumped -from the goat to you." - -After a little consultation the party started off, the auto making a -pace slow enough so the hunter's horse could easily keep up. For several -days the journey was continued, with no accidents to mar the way. The -adventurers had reached well down into New Mexico by this time and had -about one hundred miles farther to go before they could make the spur of -the mountain and avoid going over the range. - -One afternoon, following a good day's run, Ned brought the machine to a -stop below a little hill, where it was decided to spend the night, as -the place was sheltered. - -Jerry happened to glance to the rear, over the back trail, as he was -getting out the supper utensils, and uttered a cry. - -"What's that?" he asked, pointing to a long line of men that were filing -along a road that joined the main one about where the camp was to be -made. - -"Looks like a procession," observed Broswick. - -"They're miners, that's what they are!" cried Nestor, after a long look. -"Every one has his pack on his back, his washing-pan and his pick and -shovel." - -"What are they coming this way for?" asked Ned. - -"They are on the rush, seeking gold," explained the miner. "Word has -come to the camp where they were that rich pay-dirt has been struck in -some locality. They all want to get at it, so they pack up and leave -for the new field. Many's the time I've done it." - -In a little while the foremost of the miners reached the auto camp. They -seemed surprised to see the machine, but did not stop. - -"What's your hurry, mate?" asked Nestor, of one big, brawny chap who was -walking fast. - -"Want to make as many miles as I can before sundown," was the reply. -"There's rich diggin's ahead, an' I want to stake a good claim." - -"Where might they be located?" asked Nestor. - -"Why, ain't you heard? I thought every one had," answered the other. -"They're in the lower part of Arizona, in what they call the Hop Toad -District." - -Nestor gave a start. The miner passed on, fearful lest even his brief -stop would cost him his place in the cavalcade. - -"The Hop Toad District!" muttered Nestor. "That's the district where my -lost mine is located! I hope that hasn't been discovered. If it has it -means all our work has gone for nothin'!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -OVER THE MOUNTAINS. - - -On and on the stream of miners hurried. Several paused to stare at the -automobile in wonder. Others passed by with never a glance. One man was -mounted on a lame mule that made but little better speed than some of -the pedestrians. - -Three men, who seemed to form a party by themselves, came to a halt in -front of the machine. They whispered together a few moments and then one -stepped forward and addressed Nestor. - -"Will you sell that machine for three thousand dollars?" he asked. - -"I'm not the boss. You'll have to speak to one of these boys," replied -the miner. - -"How about it?" asked the man of Jerry. - -"I hardly believe we want to sell," answered the latter. - -"That's right," whispered Nestor. "There's some game afoot. Don't sell. -There must have been a big gold strike lately to cause this rush!" - -The three miners saw that the boys would not part with their machine, -which the prospectors wanted in order to make a quick trip to the new -mining region. So they turned away and continued afoot on the trail. - -For nearly an hour the stream of miners continued to march by. Then, as -the last stragglers were lost to view, Nestor said: - -"Boys, we're in a tight place. We'll have to hustle. Somehow or other -news of the rich mining region near where my mine is located has leaked -out. There's a rush, and we'll have to travel fast. We can't stick to -our original plan. We've got to go over the mountains." - -"Must we start right away?" asked Ned. - -"The sooner the better," answered Nestor. "We'll have supper and travel -night and day from now on. We'll have to race against not only Noddy -Nixon and his gang, but these miners who have gone on ahead of us." - -From what was intended to be a peaceful camp, that of the Motor Boys and -their friends was turned into a mere resting place. Every one was filled -with excitement, and Professor Snodgrass forgot to start on a collecting -tour. He did not open his green box, and, with the others, ate a hasty -meal. - -As soon as Jerry had finished his supper he gave the auto a thorough -overhauling. Plenty of oil was put on the bearings, the water tank was -refilled from a convenient spring and the tires pumped up. Then the -holder for the carbide, from which the acetylene gas for the lamps was -generated, was packed with the chemical. - -"I'm ready when you are," announced Jerry. - -By this time each one had finished his meal. The dishes were placed in -the basket, Professor Snodgrass stowed his specimens carefully away and -Hank Broswick tightened the saddle girths on his horse. - -"Forward!" cried Nestor. - -With a series of chug-chugs the machine darted ahead. The hunter urged -his horse on and the adventurers were once more moving toward the hidden -mine. It was going to be a bright, moonlight night, as could be told by -the silver disk that was already rising above the trees. - -"We'll hardly need the gas lamps," observed Ned. - -"But it's better to have them," remarked Jerry, who had been selected to -do the steering. - -Leaving the broad and level road that led south over the plains, the -adventurers headed due west. In a little while it was evident that the -machine was going uphill, for the motor began puffing laboriously, and -Jerry shifted the gear to first speed. - -"We've struck the foothills," observed Nestor. "In a short time we'll be -going up the mountain. Then, look out!" - -Broswick rode along just behind the machine on his horse. The animal -was a steady trotter and managed to keep up to the auto, which was -obliged to move slowly, as it had quite a heavy load on a steep grade. - -For several hours the machine kept going. All the while the ascent -became more and more steep until, at length, the adventurers found -themselves well above the foothills and among the mountains. - -"We'll keep on until about ten o'clock," said Nestor. "Then we'll camp -for the night. We must get some sleep or we'll be all tired out." - -Up, up, up went the auto. After quite a climb a small plateau or -level stretch was reached, and there the going was easier. Jerry took -advantage of it to run on the second gear. It was quiet, save for the -mournful hooting of an owl now and then, as the machine made little -noise, and no one felt like talking. All at once there came from the -rear seat a strange sound. - -"What's that?" asked Jerry. - -"Chunky has fallen asleep and is snoring," answered Broswick, who was -riding beside the machine. - -"I reckon it's time we camped for the night," put in Nestor. "Here's a -good stopping place. We'll make an early start in the morning." - -The machine was halted, blankets were gotten out and a small camp-fire -started. Tired and weary, the adventurers prepared for bed. Broswick, -who carried his blankets on his horse, said he would stand the first -watch, and Nestor agreed to take the second, so the boys could get a -full night's rest. - -"I'll do my share," said Professor Snodgrass, anxious to be of service. - -But Nestor said there was no need for the naturalist to sit up. To tell -the truth, the miner was afraid that if the professor was left on guard -he would forget what he was doing and wander off in search of specimens. - -Silence soon settled over the little camp in the mountains. The three -boys were slumbering peacefully, as was the professor. Broswick sat by -the fire, keeping watch, and Nestor was rolled up in his blanket. - -Suddenly, from down the slope up which the auto had come, sounded the -blast of a trumpet. - -"What's that?" cried Nestor, springing to his feet, for he was a light -sleeper. He came over to where the hunter sat. - -"Sounded like Gabriel's trumpet," replied the hunter, quietly. - -"No; it was an auto horn," spoke Nestor. "A machine is coming up the -trail. We must watch out. It may be Noddy Nixon and his gang." - -Once more silence settled down, but to the trained ears of the miner -and hunter there came the faint throbbing that told an automobile was -approaching. Nestor loosened the revolver in his belt and Broswick -reached over for his rifle, which he always kept near him. - -Nearer and nearer came the machine. It reached the level stretch on -which the adventurers were encamped and then the speed of the engine -could be heard to increase. Nestor threw some light wood on the fire. It -blazed up brightly, and the miner quickly drew Broswick back into the -shadows of a big oak tree. - -"We'll watch as they go past," he said. - -A minute later an auto dashed by. - -"There they are!" exclaimed Nestor. "There's that gambler, Pud Stoneham, -and with him is Tom Dalsett, the man who knows where my mine is. I -wonder how they got behind us. I thought they were ahead." - -"I reckon we can keep 'em behind if we want to," whispered Broswick. He -raised his gun. - -"Hold on! we don't want to murder any one!" exclaimed Nestor, in a -whisper, knocking the weapon up. - -He was too late, as the hunter had fired. - -"I wasn't goin' to do any damage," spoke the old man. "I only aimed to -bust a tire. However, you spoiled my mark. The bullet went over their -heads." - -"I thought you were goin' to shoot one of them," said Nestor. - -Noddy, who, from the brief glimpse Nestor had, could be seen at the -steering wheel, increased his speed at the sound of the report, as could -be told by the faster explosions of the motor. The noise of the rifle -going off awoke Jerry. - -"What's the matter?" he cried, sitting up. - -"Your friend Noddy just passed by," replied Nestor, "and the hunter gave -him a salute." - -"I thought he was far away," said Jerry. - -There was nothing that could be done, and the camp again settled down to -quietness and slumber. There were no more disturbances, and at midnight -Nestor relieved Broswick. Almost before the boys knew it morning had -come. - -Then, after breakfast, they were off once more. - -There were no signs of Noddy's machine save the marks of the broad tires -in the dust of the road. Leaving the plateau the adventurers were soon -mounting toward the clouds again. - -All the morning they hurried forward as fast as the auto could be urged. -Broswick's horse kept well to the trail, for it was used to mountain -climbing. At noon a stop was made beside a swiftly running brook and -dinner was eaten. Then, after a rest beneath the trees, the journey was -resumed. - -About five o'clock another halt was made for supper, thirty miles having -been reeled off during the afternoon. - -"We'll do a bit of traveling as we did last night," said Nestor. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -A TRICK OF THE ENEMY. - - -The gas and oil lamps were lighted, and, as the sun sank to rest behind -the hills, the auto began the night trip. The way was still upward, for -the summit of the mountains had not yet been reached. Ned was steering -and Jerry was on the seat beside him. - -The machine topped a long rise and came to the brow of a small incline, -the descent of which, on the other side, was quite steep. - -It was now dark, for the moon had gone behind a cloud. The road was not -of the best, and Ned had the machine pretty well under control. Down it -went on the slope. - -Suddenly Jerry gave a cry and reached over to shut off the power. - -"Jam on the brakes!" he cried to Ned. - -The steersman obeyed, and, with a grinding sound, the auto came to a -halt, with a sort of jar. - -"What's the matter?" asked Nestor. - -"Some obstruction on the road; looks like a log," answered Jerry. "I -just happened to see it in time." - -He got out and ran ahead. - -"It's a tree cut down right across the path," he called back. "A big -one, too. If we'd hit it, running as we were, we'd have gone to smash." - -They all got out of the car and gathered about the obstruction. Broswick -alighted from his horse and made a close inspection. - -"This was done on purpose," he declared. "It has been freshly cut and -was chopped on the side next to the road so's to fall right across an' -block our way." - -"I wonder who did it?" asked Bob. - -"There's only one gang who could have an object in such a trick as -this," said Ned. - -"Who?" inquired Bob. - -"Noddy Nixon's crowd. They want to delay us as much as possible so they -can reach the mine first." - -"I believe Jerry is right," put in Nestor. "This is one of the enemy's -tricks, all right." - -For a little while the adventurers stood and looked at the tree that -obstructed their further progress. - -"Well, what's to be done?" asked Ned. - -"It's too big for us to lift out of the way," said Bob. "We'll have to -wait until morning and then go get some axes and chop it in two." - -"Don't do that," exclaimed Professor Snodgrass, so earnestly that the -boys thought he might have some other plan to propose. - -"Why not?" asked Jerry. - -"Because there may be some valuable specimens of insects on that tree, -little green or brown toads, katydids or other things. Let it stay there -until morning so I may gather them." - -"The tree is likely to stay there until morning, all right enough," -observed Nestor, "so you'll have all the time you want, Professor." - -"There's no need of delay," spoke Jerry, suddenly. - -"How you goin' to git rid of the tree?" asked Nestor. - -"I'll show you," replied the boy. - -He ran to the back of the auto, took out a long, stout rope and fastened -this to the tree, near the branch end. The other end of the cable Jerry -brought back to the machine. This he now tied to the rear axle of the -automobile, and then, getting into the front seat, he turned the machine -around. - -Gradually increasing the speed, he sent the auto ahead. The rope -tightened, there was a straining, cracking sound and the tree was pulled -to one side of the road by the power of the auto. The thoroughfare was -left free for passage. - -"I guess they didn't think of that," remarked Jerry, as he replaced the -rope and turned the machine around. "Now we can go ahead." - -"Good for you!" cried Nestor. "We'll beat 'em yet, an' at their own -game!" - -They piled into the auto, and with Jerry at the wheel, went forward -again, Broswick's horse keeping up. They traveled for about an hour -longer and then Nestor suggested that as they had reached a good spot it -might be wise to camp there for the rest of the night. - -It was not long before every one was snoring in slumber. Ned was the -first one to awake, and he did so as the result of a vivid dream he had -that he was sliding downhill on top of a barrel, when it collapsed and -threw him into a snow-bank. - -He opened his eyes to find the ground all white about him, and about -three inches of snow covering his rubber blanket. - -"Where are we?" he called out, his voice awakening the others. - -"A snow squall!" cried Broswick. "I thought we were gittin' high enough -to have 'em. Waal, it won't amount to much." - -"Are snow storms common here the end of September?" asked Jerry. - -"They are when you git high enough in the mountains," replied the -hunter. "Many's the night I've gone to bed thinkin' it was summer, to -wake up an' find it winter, an' me sleepin' under a foot of snow. The -storms come up so easy you don't know anythin' about 'em." - -"Will it last long?" asked Ned. - -"No; it'll melt when the sun strikes it," was the answer. "But snow or -no snow, we must have breakfast." - -Broswick scraped away a place amid the white blanket and found some -wood. A blaze was soon kindled, and the appetizing smell of coffee -filled the crisp air. A hasty but substantial meal was made, and then -the travelers, urged on by the call of gold in the mine they were -striving to reach, took up their journey again. - -As Broswick had said, as soon as the sun rose the snow began to melt -and soon the landscape showed no signs of the winter costume it had -masqueraded in. The adventurers were now close to the top of the -mountain, and would shortly begin descending on the other slope. They -had dinner beside a swift, cold brook, from which Broswick caught -several large trout that made an excellent and very welcome addition to -the meal, broiled as they were over the coals. - -It was late that afternoon when the hunter, who was riding somewhat in -the rear, came galloping up on his horse. - -"I'm afraid we're in for it," he said. - -"In for what?" asked Nestor. - -"A rippin' old thunder storm," was the answer. "The clouds back there -are as black as ink an' the wind's drivin' 'em right this way. If I know -anythin' of signs, an' I ought to, considerin' I've hunted in these -mountains for nigh onto twenty years, we're goin' to have a regular -rip-snorter." - -"Snow one day and a thunder storm the next," observed Jerry. "This is a -queer country." - -Events soon proved the old hunter was right. The wind began to blow a -regular gale and the clouds made the sky almost as dark as night. The -auto was going downhill; Jerry was taking it along as easily as he could. - -Suddenly the storm burst with a terrific peal of thunder that -accompanied a blinding flash of lightning. It seemed to shake the very -earth. Then came a regular deluge of rain. - -"Run the machine under a tree," advised Nestor. "We'll be washed away if -we stay in the road." - -"There's a good place, just ahead!" shouted Broswick. "Under the oak. -Leave the auto there and run for the cave!" - -"What cave?" cried Jerry. - -"There's one on the left side of the road, a little above the tree," -said Broswick. "I've stayed in it often when I was caught in a storm. -It'll hold all of us an' the horse." - -The machine was halted beneath the oak. Then, after rubber blankets had -been spread to keep dry the baggage in the auto, the adventurers raced -for the cave, led by Broswick. - -They found the cavern to be a dry, roomy one, a natural hole scooped out -of the side of the mountain. Once inside, the war of the elements could -not harm them. They drew back from the mouth of the cave and listened to -the heavy rumble of thunder and watched the brilliant lightning. - -It seemed as if the very flood-gates were opened. The wind blew a -regular hurricane, and the lightning was incessant. - -Suddenly there came a dull rumbling and the cave was jarred by a shock. -Then it grew as black as night. - -"That struck somewhere!" cried Jerry. - -"And near here!" exclaimed Broswick. "I'm afraid it was too close for -comfort." - -"Are we in any danger?" asked Professor Snodgrass, calmly. - -Broswick had groped his way forward. He seemed to be fumbling in the -darkness at the mouth of the cave. - -"What's happened?" shouted Nestor. - -"A rock has fallen and closed the mouth of the cavern!" cried the -hunter. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE AUTO STOLEN. - - -For a few moments the silence of despair was on every one. The knowledge -that they were imprisoned in the cave came as a terrible shock. - -"Is there no way out?" asked Nestor. - -"Now don't you folks go to worryin'," spoke Broswick, in a more cheerful -voice than seemed warranted under the circumstances. "I've been in -tighter places than this, an' come out on top!" - -"But we're buried!" cried Professor Snodgrass, who, for once, seemed to -have forgotten all about his beloved specimens. - -"That's nothin'," spoke Broswick. "You thought you was all goners when -them cattle was comin' after you, but I got you out, an' I'm goin' to do -the same now!" - -"You can't burrow out like a rabbit," said Ned. - -"I've got a little instrument here that will help me," said the hunter. -"I never travel without a spade on my saddle. I've lost too many rabbits -an' woodchucks through not havin' the means to dig 'em out, so I always -carry a shovel along. I reckon it will come in handy. If I only had a -light now----" - -"No need to worry about that," put in Nestor. "It would be a pretty poor -miner that traveled without a bit of candle and some matches with him. I -always go prepared for emergencies." - -He struck a match, a yellow glow filled the cave, and soon a candle gave -good illumination. The boys could see that the cavern was of large size. - -"I've often stayed in here to keep out the rain," said Broswick, as he -got his spade, "but I never was ketched like this before." - -Guided by the candle, the hunter went to the mouth of the cave and -began digging away the mass of earth and rocks that had slid down and -obstructed the opening. - -"Goin' to be quite a job," remarked the miner, as he looked over the -mass. "It'll take a good while." - -"There's plenty of us to do the work," replied Broswick. - -He attacked the pile and made the dirt fly. After he had labored fifteen -minutes Nestor relieved him. The miner, from his experience in digging -into the earth, made more progress than had the hunter. Nestor kept at -it for more than half an hour, refusing to yield the spade to any one. - -"There," he said, when he stopped to rest, "I've made quite a hole." - -The boys and Professor Snodgrass took turns, and then Nestor went at it -again. - -"I wish I had a drink," remarked the miner. "This is dry work." - -"Nothin' easier," said Broswick. He took a second candle, which the -miner had, and walked to the rear of the cave. - -In a little while he returned with a big gourd full of cold water. - -"What sort of a magician are you?" asked Jerry. - -"There's a spring back there," explained Broswick. "Many's the time I've -taken a drink at it and the last time I was here I brought this gourd -for a dipper. Now it comes in handy." - -Each one took a draught of the cool water and felt the better for it. -Then Nestor insisted that he was going to continue the digging. The -others wanted to relieve him, but he would not let them. He plied the -spade vigorously and the dirt was scattered to one side. - -"Light! Light!" the miner cried, suddenly. "I can see light! We're -nearly out!" - -A few more strokes of the shovel made the opening larger and then, with -a shout and hurrah, the imprisoned adventurers rushed forward. - -"Why! Why! It's night!" exclaimed Bob, as he emerged from the cavern and -saw the stars shining. - -"Of course it is," answered Nestor. "It was late afternoon when we took -shelter in the cave, and we were there more than three hours." - -"Well, we're out now," said Jerry. "I wonder if the auto was damaged." - -The storm had ceased and the night was a fine, clear one. The moon was -shining from a cloudless sky and thousands of stars were out. Jerry ran -on ahead to the tree under which the auto had been left, for the machine -was his chief concern. - -He paused as he reached the spot. Then he rubbed his eyes and wondered -if he was seeing straight. He even pinched himself to see if he was -awake. - -"What's the matter?" asked Ned, who was following close behind his chum. - -"The auto is gone!" cried Jerry. - -"Gone?" - -"Yes. Stolen!" - -"What's that?" exclaimed Nestor, running up. - -Jerry pointed under the tree. There was not any sign of an automobile. - -"That's funny," observed Broswick. "It couldn't fly away, that's sure." -He led his horse from the cave up to the road and stooped down to -examine the path closely. - -"Let's have one of those candles," the hunter called to Nestor. Lighting -the wick the old man examined the road with care, moving about in a -circle and then going backward and forward for quite a distance. - -"Well?" inquired Nestor, when the hunter straightened up. - -"Some one came along in another auto while we were in the cave," said -the hunter, "pulled up here alongside of yours, hitched on to it and -pulled it away, or else rode off in it." - -"What makes you think so?" asked Jerry. - -"I haven't hunted an' trapped twenty years for nothin', young man," -was the answer. "I can see the tracks your machine made as it stopped -under a tree. Then along comes another machine, with tires a leetle mite -smaller'n yours. Auto No. 2 stops. Some one gits out from it an' looks -over your auto, for I kin see marks of hob-nailed shoes, an' none of us -wear 'em." - -"Hob-nails, did you say, eh?" here interrupted Nestor. - -"That's what I said." - -"Then Tom Dalsett has been here." - -"How do you know?" - -"Look an' see if the soles of the hob-nailed shoes didn't have a cross -in each one." - -"They did," replied the hunter, inspecting the tracks. - -"Then it's Tom Dalsett for sure. He always wore shoes like that, an' I -seen 'em on him when he was at Dead Man's Gulch." - -"Then Noddy and his gang have stolen our auto!" cried Jerry. - -"That's about it," assented Nestor. "However, we mustn't give up yet. -We'll take after 'em." - -"Not much chance of getting them, though," put in Ned. - -"You're welcome to my horse," said Broswick. "He ain't very fast, but -he's better than nothin'." - -"There's no use doin' anythin' to-night," was the miner's opinion. "We'd -only get lost on the road, and I don't know but what we're lost already. -We'll have to camp until mornin'." - -After some consideration this was voted the best thing to do. It was -a sorrowful band of adventurers that gathered about the fire which -Broswick made, for the hearts of the boys were dispirited over the theft -of their machine, and the men sympathized with them. - -Fortunately, the hunter had some bacon left, and a meal, such as it was, -the travelers made on this. Then, selecting the driest places they could -find, they prepared to spend the night in the open, without coverings. -It was cold, but by keeping a good fire going some comfort was had. - -When the sun rose the adventurers got up, stretched themselves and -wondered what they were going to do for breakfast. - -"Leave it to me," said Broswick. "I'm used to providing meals." - -He was gone some little time, and when he came back he had several -plump birds. These were cleaned and were soon roasting over the fire on -sticks. It was a good deal better meal than might have been expected -under the circumstances. - -Then, with the hunter riding his horse, and the others following, the -journey in search of the stolen auto was begun. The marks made by the -broad tires of the two machines could be plainly seen. - -"I wouldn't care if I had my valuable specimens," wailed Professor -Snodgrass. - -"We'll git 'em, an' the auto, too," said Broswick. "Don't you worry." - -They had covered several miles and were descending a long hill, when -Jerry called out: - -"What's that ahead, there?" - -They all stopped and peered down the road. - -"There are two autos!" cried Nestor. "One looks like ours. I'm going to -see about it." - -And he started off on a run. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -ATTACKED BY INDIANS. - - -"Here, come back!" yelled Broswick. - -"What for?" shouted Nestor. - -"Take my horse," said the hunter. "That's better than going afoot." - -Nestor returned, mounted the animal and set off at a gallop toward the -two autos, which were down in the valley. - -"He'll never catch them," said Bob, in a despairing tone. - -"You let him alone," came from Broswick. "He'll git 'em, all right. -There's some trouble down there. One machine can't go." - -"How can you tell?" asked Jerry. - -"I've got sharp eyes, boy," was the answer. "I use 'em in my business." - -In fact, as the boys observed closely, they could see that the two -machines were not moving. They could also note men walking about the -cars. - -"Something's out of kilter," said Ned. "I guess they found plenty of -trouble running two machines. I'll bet one of 'em is ours." - -They watched Nestor descend the slope and approach the cars. As he came -closer to them it was observed that there was some commotion among the -persons grouped around the machines. They saw the miner raise his hand -in the air, and little clouds of smoke arose. - -"He's firing over their heads!" cried Broswick. - -Then, all at once, the persons down in the valley, who, as the boys -afterward learned, were Noddy Nixon and his gang, made a rush for the -head auto, jumped into it and made off at top speed. - -Nestor rode up to the remaining machine and waved his hat back to his -friends. Taking this as a signal that all was right, they hurried -forward. - -"It was them, all right!" cried Nestor, when Jerry and the others had -joined him. "I scared them off by firing in the air. There seemed to be -something the matter with our auto, for they were trying to fix it." - -The boys were worried lest some harm had befallen their machine. Jerry -made an examination, however, and found things in good shape. There -was some damage, and a battery wire had become disconnected, which had -brought the machine to a stop, thus foiling the plans of Noddy. - -"That was a lucky break for us," said Bob. - -"You bet it was, Chunky," agreed Ned. "If we hadn't recovered the auto -we would have had to walk back home, and home is a good ways from here." - -Repairs to the machine were quickly made, and then, with light hearts, -the adventurers took their places and started forward once again. - -Nothing in the car had been disturbed, and even the collection of -insects made by Professor Snodgrass had not been harmed. The steady -chug-chug and puff-puff of the motor was heard as the adventurers moved -on up the mountain. - -They stopped for dinner on top of a little hill in the midst of a grove -of trees. A fire was kindled, coffee made, and some canned provisions -set out. - -"This is something like," observed Bob, smacking his lips over some -preserved tongue. - -"I'd have given five dollars for a cup of coffee last night," spoke -Nestor. - -"Me, too," said the hunter. - -"I am so thankful my specimens are safe I could go without eating for a -week," put in Professor Snodgrass, at which they all laughed. - -Taking a comfortable rest under the trees until the afternoon sun went -down a little, the adventurers were thoroughly enjoying the pleasant -day. Suddenly Broswick started up. - -"What is it?" asked Nestor, viewing with alarm the look of fear on the -hunter's face. - -"Indians!" was the answer. - -"You don't mean real Indians?" - -"That's what I do. There's a reservation of some kind about fifty miles -from here, and they break loose every now and again." - -"What makes you think some are loose now?" - -"Hear 'em yellin' an' screechin'!" said the hunter, raising his hand to -caution silence. - -Straining their ears the adventurers noted the faint sound of some weird -chant borne to them on the east wind. Then, as they watched, they saw, -coming over the slope of the hill, a band of redskins, mounted on ponies. - -"Hurry to the auto!" cried Ned. - -He ran for the machine, followed by Jerry and Bob. Broswick picked up -his gun and looked to the loading of it, as Nestor did to his revolvers, -but neither of the men offered to retreat. Professor Snodgrass was -intent on capturing some kind of grasshoppers, and did not seem to care -whether there were Indians about or not. More and more of the savages -came into view. - -"Hadn't we better skip?" asked Nestor of the hunter. - -"There are a few more than I reckoned on," was the reply. "I guess we -may as well skedaddle if we don't want trouble. I don't know how my nag -will run, compared to the Indian ponies, but----" - -"Better get in the auto," suggested Nestor. "It will hold six on a -pinch." - -By this time Ned was frantically cranking up the machine. But, though -he turned the flywheel with all his strength, while Bob attended to the -spark and gasolene levers, the machine would not start. - -"What's the matter?" cried Jerry, who had delayed, to pick up some of -the baggage that was unloaded for dinner. - -"She's stuck!" yelled Bob. - -Jerry sprang to the cranking handle. His success was no better than -Ned's. There were a few faint compressions, but that was all. - -"Better start if you're goin' to," said Broswick, coming up. "They're -almost here now." - -"We can't start!" exclaimed Jerry. - -"Then we'll have to fight!" observed Broswick, coolly. - -Suddenly the air was filled with fierce howls and yells. - -"You boys git in the back part of the machine," cautioned the hunter. -"We men will attend to the redskins. Maybe they are only off on a -holiday junket, account of bein' paid off by the Government. In that -case they may let us alone. But they might be ugly, an'----" - -Just then a bullet, with an angry zip, passed over Broswick's head. - -"They're out fer business an' not fun!" he exclaimed. At the same -instant he threw up his rifle and fired. A howl of pain came in answer, -and one Indian fell from his horse. - -"I only took him in the leg," said the hunter, grimly. "No use killin' -any if we can avoid it." - -Jerry, Bob and Ned sank down in the tonneau. Nestor and the hunter -lined up in front of the auto and stood with ready weapons. Professor -Snodgrass, with a revolver, which Nestor had given him, seemed more -afraid of the weapon than of the Indians. - -Then, with savage yells, the band of redskins, who, as it afterward -developed, had gone on a rampage from their reservation because they -were dissatisfied with the Government rations, closed around the auto. -They fired their guns off as fast as they could load them. - -But, either because they were poor shots, or because they didn't want -to hit the adventurers, the Indians did no damage. Several bullets came -uncomfortably close, and one or two grazed the auto, but no one was hurt. - -Then the savages, with whoops and yells, began circling about the -machine. Around and around they went, riding their ponies at top speed. -Suddenly, as if in response to some signal, they withdrew quite a -distance, but still hemmed the travelers in a circle. - -[Illustration: THE SAVAGES BEGAN CIRCLING ABOUT THE MACHINE.] - -"They're up to some mischief," said Nestor. - -"Shall we wing one or two just to show we have bullets?" - -"Not for the world," replied Broswick. "Our only hope is not to get them -too riled. They may draw off an' leave us alone." - -But this was not the Indians' intention. Once more they began making a -wide circle about the auto. - -"I see what the trouble was!" cried Jerry, looking over from the tonneau -to the front of the dashboard. "The sparking plug was out. No wonder we -couldn't start the machine." - -He reached over and put the small brass pin in the proper socket. - -"Now I'm going to have another try!" he called to Broswick and Nestor. -"Get ready to jump in the machine!" - -Before Nestor could stop him, Jerry had leaped to the ground. He ran -around to the front of the auto, seized the cranking handle and gave -several vigorous turns. As he did so a chorus of savage yells arose from -the Indian ranks, and several more shots were fired. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -OVER A CLIFF. - - -The bullets struck all around Jerry, but none of them struck him. Some -of the leaden missiles hit the ground and made little clouds of dust, -and others zipped on all sides of the auto. - -All at once the explosions of the auto motor mingled with the banging of -the Indians' guns. Jerry had started the engine. - -"Get in!" he cried, leaping to the steering seat. - -Broswick, Nestor and Professor Snodgrass obeyed the command. - -"What about my horse?" cried the hunter. - -"Let him go! It's you or the nag!" yelled the miner. - -In another instant the whole party was in the auto and Jerry yanked the -levers to full speed ahead. Off the car shot, Jerry steering for an -opening in the circle of Indians. - -With wild yells the redmen watched the auto glide away. They fired shots -at it, and one Indian hit Broswick, but the wound was only a slight one. - -"Here comes your horse!" shouted Bob, glancing behind, and, sure enough, -Broswick's steed was galloping after the swiftly moving auto as though -he was on the race track. - -In a little while the adventurers left the Indians behind and were at a -safe distance from any bullets. The hunter's horse, too, kept running, -and got away. - -"Well, we didn't bargain for this when we left home," remarked Jerry, as -he slowed up the machine after an hour's run. - -"I should say not," put in Bob. "Being attacked by Indians was the last -thing I ever thought of." - -"You're out in the wild an' woolly West," observed Nestor. "You'll see -stranger things before you get through." - -"I'd like to see something to eat right now," came from Bob. - -"There goes Chunky," said Ned. "He's always as hungry as he was at home." - -In spite of poking fun at the stout youth, every one felt the need of -food. So a stop was made, a fire built, and soon coffee was boiling. -Broswick went off in the woods with his rifle and came back with a brace -of birds and a jack rabbit. What the boys voted was the finest meal they -ever ate was quickly prepared. - -"We must be careful not to lose the auto again," said Jerry. "We have -had trouble enough with Noddy. The next time he may beat us altogether." - -When camp was made that night a system of watches was arranged so that -some one would be on guard all through the dark hours. - -Nothing disturbed the adventurers, however, and in the morning they -started again on their trip across the mountains, which, it seemed, -would never come to an end. - -Several days, including Sunday, passed without incident. No very fast -time was made, and the machine had to be sent along carefully, as -the roads were bad and the trail was uncertain to them. One morning -Broswick announced that he was going off on a hunt. Nestor and Professor -Snodgrass said they would go with him. Accordingly, the hunter's horse -was tied near the auto and the three men set off, while the three boys -remained behind to make some repairs to the machine and do a little -necessary overhauling. - -"We'll be back by dinner-time," announced Broswick; "that is, if -something doesn't happen to us." - -The boys were so busy that they scarcely noted the passage of time. It -was not until Jerry looked at his watch and announced that it was two -o'clock that the lads wondered what had happened to their friends. - -"It's long past meal time," said Ned. - -"Maybe they're not hungry," suggested Bob. - -"More likely they're in trouble," spoke Jerry, an anxious look on his -face. "I think we had better hunt them up." - -This the boys decided to do, after getting themselves a light lunch. -They ran the auto along the track the three men had taken, but after -riding half an hour found no sign of their friends. - -"Maybe we're on the wrong track," said Bob. - -"Or else they didn't come this way," put in Ned. - -They turned the machine around and rode back slowly, looking for marks -along the road. - -"There's something!" exclaimed Jerry. He pointed to a small match-box -lying on the ground. "Nestor always carried that," he said. "It must -have dropped from his pocket. The men have been here." - -"Hark! What's that?" cried Bob. - -All listened. To their ears came a faint but unmistakable cry. - -"Help!" - -"There they are!" called Jerry. "Over to the left! We must hurry to -them!" - -He sent the machine ahead at a swift pace. The road led along the top of -a plateau and ran close to the edge of a cliff. As the machine neared -this spot the cries became louder. Near the edge of the precipice Jerry -brought the machine to a stop. - -"They are down there," he announced, after listening carefully. - -The boys dismounted from the car and approached the ledge. It went down -straight for about fifty feet and then bulged out into a shelf before -making a sheer descent to the valley, three hundred feet below. - -Near the edge of the precipice the earth and rocks were freshly torn -away, showing that something had gone over. Jerry got down on his hands -and knees and crept to the edge. What he saw as he looked down made him -spring to his feet and shout in mingled fear and astonishment. - -There, on a jutting spur of the mountain, hardly large enough to hold -them, were the three missing men. - -"Are you hurt?" Jerry called down. - -"Bruised and scratched, but no bones broken," shouted Nestor. "You'll -have to haul us up some way, for we can't get down nor crawl up." - -"Git a rope!" shouted Broswick, "an' lower it down." - -"A rope! I don't believe there's one long enough within ten miles of -here!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Yes, there is," said Jerry, quickly. "We have the one they tried to -hang Professor Snodgrass with--the same we used on the tree. It's in the -auto. You get it, Bob." - -In a few minutes a long rope was dangling over the edge of the cliff, -and when the end reached the men imprisoned on the ledge they set up a -joyful shout. The boys retained their end and at a signal from Nestor, -who had tied the cable about the professor, under his arms, Bob, Ned and -Jerry began to haul away. They strained and pulled, but the man at the -other end did not budge. - -"It's caught!" exclaimed Ned. - -Jerry ran forward, telling Ned and Bob to retain their hold of the rope. -He found that the cord rasped against an edge of rock as it passed up -from the depths below, and this produced so much friction that great -force would have to be used in pulling the men up. Then, too, there was -the danger of the rope fraying and being cut in two. - -Jerry thought over the problem a few seconds. - -"What's the matter up there?" asked Nestor. - -"Never mind!" shouted back Jerry. "We'll have you up in a jiffy now." - -He hurried over to a little clump of trees and came back with a short -section of a round limb. - -"This will be a roller for the rope to pass over, just like a pulley," -he announced. Then he proceeded to put his plan in operation. Lying down -on his face, he held the log in position, the rope passing over it. Then -he told Bob and Ned to pull. - -But even with this advantage there was trouble. The two boys managed to -get the professor up a short distance, but they were not strong enough -to hoist him all the way. - -"Help! help!" the naturalist cried, as he felt himself dangling. - -"This will not do!" exclaimed Jerry. "Let him down easy, boys; I'll have -to think of another plan." - -It began to look as though the rescue of the men on the ledge was to be -a harder task than at first supposed. At Jerry's direction, the end of -the rope the boys had was fastened to a stake driven into the ground. - -"Now I wonder what we'd better do?" mused Jerry. "We'll have to use the -limb of the tree as a roller, and some one has to hold it in place. Yet -it will take all three of us to pull one man up. If only one of the men -was up here to give a hand we could manage. As it is----" - -"I have it!" cried Ned, suddenly, and he ran back to where the auto -stood. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE CHASE. - - -Ned reached the machine, cranked it up, and a few minutes later steered -it close to where Bob and Jerry stood. - -"The auto can do what we can't," he said. - -"What do you mean?" came from Jerry. - -"I mean it can pull the men up over the cliff!" - -"Hurrah! So it can!" exclaimed Jerry. "I see your plan." - -The car was turned around so the rear of it was close to the edge of the -precipice. Then the rope was fastened to the axle. - -"Get ready, down below!" called Jerry. - -"We're ready!" came back the answer. - -Jerry and Bob stretched out on the ground, each one holding an end of -the improvised roller. Ned started the auto slowly. The rope strained -and tightened. Then, as the car gathered speed, the cable was pulled -up, and Professor Snodgrass, tied to the other end, was hauled from his -perilous position. - -As his head came into view over the edge of the precipice, Jerry -shouted to Ned to stop the car. The next instant the naturalist was -helped to solid ground by the two boys. The plan had worked. - -In quick succession Nestor and the hunter were pulled up in the same -fashion. - -"Well, I must say you boys are smart chaps," spoke the miner. -"Automobiles are useful critters in more ways than to ride in." - -"How did you ever get down there?" asked Jerry. - -"It was all my fault," said Professor Snodgrass. "We were walking along, -and I saw a particularly rare specimen of a little garter-snake. It was -moving through the grass and I raced after it. It went over the edge of -the cliff, and I reached down and tried to get it. It was so far over -that I had to lie down flat on my face and stretch my arms. Then----" - -"Yes, an' when he found he couldn't reach the critter even then," -interrupted Broswick, "he asked Nestor an' me to hold his heels while he -stretched down. Blamed if I ever do such a thing ag'in." - -"Why not?" asked Bob. - -"'Cause jest as soon as me an' Nestor got hold of his heels an' was -easin' him over the cliff, I'll be jiggered if the whole top didn't give -way an' there we was, slidin' down the mountain at about forty miles a -minute. I thought we was gone coons sure, but we struck on the ledge -an' that saved us." - -"We'd been there yet if you boys hadn't come along," said Nestor. "But -say, I'm mighty hungry." - -"There isn't much to eat," spoke Jerry. - -"Yes, there is," came from the hunter. "I shot some partridge jest afore -we had that bloomin' old snake hunt." - -He walked over to where he had left his game and came back with a double -brace of fine birds. It was not long before the partridges were roasting -over a fire and every one with a good appetite prepared to eat. - -"Where's my specimen box?" suddenly exclaimed the professor, after an -inspection of the auto. "It's gone!" - -"No; I just laid it to one side when I wanted to use the machine to haul -you up with," explained Ned. "It is safe. But what do you want of it -now?" - -"To put my snake in, of course," and the scientist showed a tiny serpent -grasped in his hand. - -"So you got it after all, eh?" asked Broswick. "I thought you missed -it when them rocks an' dirt slid an' let us all down kersmash over the -cliff." - -"I wouldn't have lost that snake for ten thousand dollars," said the -professor, as he put it safely away with his other curiosities. - -After dinner the journey toward the lost gold mine was again taken up. -In a short time the auto and its occupants, as well as Broswick on his -horse, were making good speed. Presently it was noticed that the road -was sloping downward. Jerry remarked on the fact. - -"We've crossed the divide," announced Nestor. "From now on, until we -get to the mine, we'll be going downhill. There's another rise of the -mountains after we pass the mine, though." - -It was now about five o'clock, and as the adventurers had eaten dinner -rather late they decided not to stop for supper, but to keep on until it -was time to camp for the night and have another meal then. - -When it got too dark to go any further on the road, even though the gas -and oil lamps gave a glaring light, a halt was made. Supper was eaten -and soon all but Broswick, who mounted first guard, was slumbering. - -Next morning the travelers came to a long, level stretch, on top of a -vast plateau, and here good speed could be made. Jerry was steering -the car, his turn having come around, and Broswick's horse was keeping -up well, for the boys would not leave the hunter behind, and regulated -their pace to that of his steed. - -As they went around a curve and came to a straight stretch, Jerry cried -out and pointed ahead. They all looked, to behold another automobile -speeding away from them. - -"That's Noddy's car, I'm sure of it!" Jerry shouted. "I'd know it -anywhere by this time." - -"I'd like to catch those rascals!" exclaimed Nestor. "They've made -trouble enough for us, an' they'll make more if they can. Besides, I -have my score to settle with that chap Pender. I'd have overlooked it if -they'd let us alone, but now I want to git even!" - -"There's no reason why you shouldn't," said Broswick. "Your machine is -as good as theirs. Give 'em a chase. If you catch 'em, put their auto -out of business until you have enough of a start to get to the mine -first. Besides, we could have the law on 'em for stealin' this machine." - -"But what about leaving you behind?" questioned Jerry, to whom the -thought of a chase after his old enemies was not unwelcome. - -"Leave me behind; I'll catch up to you later," spoke the hunter. - -Jerry looked at Nestor. The miner nodded his head in approval. The next -instant the auto fairly sprang forward, as Jerry threw on the high-speed -gear and opened wide the flow of gasolene. - -The chase was on. Jerry sent out a challenging "honk" on the horn, and -it was answered by the auto ahead. That machine, too, as soon as the -occupants became aware of the pursuit, went forward at top speed. - -Fortunately for all, the road was much better than the average. It was -wide and level, and as soon as the machines had warmed up they fairly -flew along. - -"Aren't--we go-going a--a--trifle fast?" asked Professor Snodgrass, in a -frightened tone, as he held fast to the car-side to avoid being bounced -out. - -"That's the intention," said Nestor. "The other fellows are doin' it an' -we have to do likewise. Hold tight!" - -As he spoke, the auto went over a rock and every one was tossed from his -seat, to fall back with a jarring bump. - -The pace was now very fast. With straining eyes Jerry watched his rivals -in front. Slowly but surely he could see that the distance between them -was lessening. Once or twice some one in the forward car looked back to -note the progress of the chase. - -"We'll catch them!" yelled Ned. - -Faster and faster went the auto. The trees and rocks seemed to shoot -past. The distance between the two machines was constantly lessening -until now it was but a quarter of a mile. - -"They may use guns," ventured Bob. - -"I reckon they will, son," replied Nestor, "but if they try that game -they'll find we can shoot a bit ourselves." - -He got out his brace of revolvers and saw to it that they were loaded. - -"Not that I'm anxious to hurt any one," the miner went on, "but we must -protect our lives and our machine." - -Soon but an eighth of a mile separated the pursued and pursuing forces. -The occupants of the other car could be plainly seen, and Ned, who was -riding beside Jerry, noticed Jack Pender stand up in the rear seat and -shake his fist. - -"He wouldn't do that if we were a little closer," observed Ned. - -Jerry now saw victory before him. He prepared to run to one side ahead -of Noddy's machine and so block its further progress. - -He was about to press the accelerating lever to give his car a momentary -burst of speed when there suddenly sounded a great roaring. It seemed -to come from the side of a small mountain along the base of which the -plateau road now ran. - -Then the air seemed to fill with dust. The very earth trembled and all -at once a section of the mountain slipped down right on top of the -pursuing auto, fairly overwhelming it. - -It was a big landslide, and it had come just in time to catch Jerry and -his friends and let the other machine escape, for the auto Noddy and -his gang were in got out of the way of the rush of rocks and earth. - -There was a resounding crash. Then all seemed to become black to Jerry. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -WRECKED. - - -When Jerry recovered consciousness he found himself sitting on the -ground, while Ned and Nestor were bathing his head with water that -Professor Snodgrass was bringing up in his hat. - -"Where am I? What happened?" asked Jerry. - -"You're still on the map," said the miner, "and as for what happened, -it was what often happens out here. Part of the mountain parted company -from the main hill, that's all." - -"Is the auto smashed?" asked Jerry. - -"It appears to be damaged some," replied the miner, and Jerry felt his -heart sink. "But never mind that. It's lucky we're not all killed. You -were struck on the head by a stone and knocked unconscious. The rest of -us were just spilled out when the machine turned over. But how do you -feel?" - -"I'm all right, only a little weak," replied the boy. He stood up, and, -aside from a little dizziness, he found himself in good shape. His head -ached from the blow and was cut slightly, but he was too anxious about -the machine to mind his hurts. - -With legs that trembled somewhat, he made his way to where the auto had -overturned from the force of the landslide. The machine presented a -sorry sight. The baggage was spilled out and things were scattered all -about. There was a break in the water tank and the fluid had run out. -The steering-post was also bent, and one chain was broken. What other -damage was done could not be seen until some of the dirt was removed. - -"I wish Broswick would come along with his spade," said Nestor. "We need -him." - -"There he comes now," spoke up Ned, pointing back on the road they had -come. At the top of a gentle slope a figure on horseback could be made -out. The man waved his hand. It was the hunter, and in a short time he -came up to the wreck. - -"Waal," he remarked, "looks like ye had trouble." - -"We did," replied Nestor, and he told of the landslide. "But," he went -on, "I reckon these boys know how to git us out of it. I'll stake -my last dollar on these boys," and he smiled in a way that made the -down-hearted lads feel better. - -Broswick's spade did good service, and soon the machine was cleared of -the dirt sufficiently to allow of its being righted. Then Jerry made a -more careful examination. As he went around on the right side of it he -uttered a despairing cry. - -"What's the matter?" asked Ned. - -"The battery box is gone!" exclaimed Jerry. - -"It was carried away in the landslide, and we haven't another cell. -We're stranded, sure enough." - -He pointed to where, on the right step, a small, square box had rested. -In this box were the dry batteries that supplied the spark. - -Without the vital spark the auto could not advance a foot, and, as Jerry -had said, the last of the spare batteries had been used and no new ones -procured. The adventurers were certainly in dire straits. - -"Maybe we can find the batteries somewhere in the dirt," suggested -Nestor. - -Acting on this idea, the boys and men made a careful search among the -rocks and gravel that covered the road. They found the battery box, but -it was splintered to pieces and not a single cell could be located. They -went over every inch of the debris with no better result. - -"Well, I reckon we're booked for a stay at this summer resort," said -Nestor, with forced cheerfulness. - -"It will be a good chance for me to get some specimens," said the -naturalist, as if nothing mattered so long as he got some bugs or -snakes. - -"I reckon you'll have all the time you want," put in the hunter. "But -speakin' of specimens reminds me that I'm hungry. I think I'll take my -gun an' see if I can't pot somethin' for dinner." - -"We've got to eat if we can't travel," observed Nestor. "Supposin', Bob, -you an' Ned make a fire, while Jerry tinkers over the auto. Perhaps he -can make it go, after all. We've had good luck so far, all but this." - -Jerry shook his head. He knew that without the batteries the machine -could not be operated. It was like trying to run an engine without a -fire under the boiler. - -However, he set to work to repair what damage he could. With a small -soldering outfit he mended the hole in the water tank, stopping the -leak. Then, with an extra link, of which several were carried, the -broken chain was mended. - -By this time Broswick came back with some partridges and rabbits and -a meal, though it lacked many extras, was soon in preparation. After -eating, Jerry went back to the machine. He took out the steering-post, -and, with the help of Nestor, straightened it. Then some other small -repairs were made, and, though the auto looked rather battered and -battle-scarred, the paint being scratched in many places, it was still -serviceable. All that was lacking was the battery box. - -Jerry even filled the water tank from a nearby spring, and then, not -being able to do anything more, sat down on a stone and contemplated the -useless auto, with sad eyes. - -"No use cryin' over spilt milk," said Nestor, with rude philosophy. -"What can't be cured must be endured. It's a long lane that has no -turns, an' the longest way 'round is the shortest way home." - -"Git a hoss! Git a hoss!" exclaimed Broswick, suddenly. - -"What's the matter with you?" asked Nestor. "Gone crazy or are you -gittin' your second childhood?" - -"Git a hoss!" repeated the hunter, capering about like a schoolboy. - -"What ails you?" demanded Nestor. - -"Ain't that what the kids cry when they see a busted auto?" asked the -hunter. "Seems to me I've read that in the funny papers. Am I right?" - -"You be," said Nestor. "But what's the use of rubbin' our misfortune -in?" he grumbled. - -"I wasn't." - -"Then what made you yell 'Git a horse'?" - -"'Cause that jest's what you're goin' to do!" - -"Say, did you sleep in the moonlight last night, 'cause you must have, -an' gone looney!" exclaimed Nestor. "You----" and then he stopped -suddenly, as he caught the hunter's idea. "Well, I'll be ding-busted!" -he finished, weakly. - -"That's jest what you're goin' to do," went on the miner. "My Kate is -as strong a hoss as you'd want. We're goin' downhill most of the way, -anyhow, an' it'll be easy for Kate to pull the machine an' us in it. -There's a town about fifty miles ahead, an' maybe you can git some of -them batter-cakes there." - -"Batter-cakes?" repeated Ned. - -"Yes. Ain't them what you want?" - -"Batteries--dry electric batteries," said Jerry, with a smile. - -"Waal, that's what I meant, only I spelled it wrong. They keep minin' -supplies in this town, and they'll be sure to have batteries. Kate can -pull us that far if we go slow." - -Broswick's suggestion was voted a good one. The spirits of all were -raised, and soon the hunter and Nestor busied themselves making a rude -sort of rope harness for the horse. - -The animal did not seem to mind pulling the auto, and, after everything -had been collected, and some of the game the hunter had shot was packed -to be taken along for supper at the next stopping place, the start was -made. - -It was slow traveling, compared to the former speed, but it was -sure. The slight down-grade helped the animal dragging the heavy -machine, which otherwise would have proved too much for one horse. The -adventurers rode in the car, and Ned steered. - -It was decided there would be no night traveling now, for they wanted to -spare the horse as much as possible, and there was too much danger with -the uncertain method of locomotion. So, when it grew dusk, camp was made -and a fire built. Supper over, the travelers discussed the events of the -day until, one by one, they fell asleep, after posting Ned as guard. - -The boy took up his position in the shadow of a big tree where he could -watch the auto and observe any one approaching within the circle of -firelight. He was sleepy, but he fought off the drowsiness. Again and -again his head would nod and he would just catch himself falling off -into a doze. - -"Come, this will never do," he said, shaking himself wide awake. "I must -get a drink of water. Maybe that will make me feel more lively." - -He walked over to where a pail of the liquid had been placed and took a -long draught. As he was walking back to his place he started as he saw a -bright shaft of light glaring through the trees about half a mile off to -the left. - -"That looked like a searchlight," whispered the boy. The next instant -the unmistakable chug-chug of an automobile could be heard. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -FORWARD ONCE MORE. - - -"If that's an auto, maybe we can get some batteries," thought Ned. - -He hurried back to the camp-fire and awoke Jerry. - -"There's an auto coming!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Where is it?" asked Jerry, at once alive to the situation, and thinking -of the batteries, just as Ned had. - -The two boys listened. The chugging of the motor had ceased, but the -searchlight was still playing over the trees. - -"Maybe they're wrecked, too," spoke Ned. "Let's go over and see what it -is." - -"Better tell Nestor," suggested Jerry. - -They woke up the miner and told him what they had seen and heard. - -"Go slow," he cautioned. "Here, I'll tell you what to do. Jerry and I -will take a look. No use runnin' into danger. It may be Noddy Nixon an' -his gang, an' if it is, we've got to be careful." - -Neither of the boys had thought of this. However, they realized the -force of it. Bidding Ned to be on guard, Nestor set out, accompanied by -Jerry. The miner had his revolvers ready and Jerry carried the hunter's -gun. They did not intend to shoot to kill or injure any one, but thought -the weapons would be useful in an emergency to scare off the enemy, if -they should happen to meet one. - -With great caution they moved in the direction from which the sounds had -come. The white, glaring light was now stationary, and, like a giant -finger, was pointing up toward the sky. It served as a guiding star for -Jerry and Nestor. - -"Let me go ahead," suggested the miner, when they had come quite close -to where the light had its source. - -Taking the advance, Nestor made his way through the underbrush and trees -with great quietness. Jerry followed as best he could. Suddenly the -miner stopped. - -"I see them!" he whispered. - -"Who are they?" asked Jerry. - -"We've got to play a trick," said Nestor, without answering the boy. -"Here, you go over there to the right, about five hundred feet, and fire -your gun. Leave the rest to me, and as soon as you've pulled the trigger -hurry back to our camp." - -Jerry did not question the advice. He turned to the right, and, when he -had gone what he thought was the required distance, he discharged his -revolver. A loud report crashed out on the silence of the night. Jerry -heard a crackling of underbrush and several shouts. Then, as Nestor had -told him, he made the best of his way back to camp. - -As for the miner, he had remained where he was when Jerry left him. He -was watching the other automobile, and something seemed to strike him as -funny, for he chuckled silently. - -"I reckon there's goin' to be some surprises here pretty soon," he -remarked. - -At the report of Jerry's gun, those about the automobile rushed off in -the direction of the shot. At the same time Nestor, who was waiting for -just this very move, ran in. He fumbled about the machine for a few -minutes and then, clasping something tightly in his arms, hurried back -through the woods to the camp, reaching there shortly after Jerry. - -Those who had been left sleeping were aroused by the gun, and they were -anxious to know what the matter was. Ned told his part and then Jerry -related what had befallen him and Nestor. - -"But what have you there?" asked Broswick of the miner, observing that -Nestor carried something. - -"A box of batteries," was the reply. "I took them off the other -automobile. Now we can go ahead under our own power." - -"But what--why--how?" began Jerry, with a puzzled look. - -"I'll explain it all," said Nestor; "but, first, hadn't you better fix -these batteries on our machine? We may want to start soon." - -It did not take long for Jerry to make the necessary connections. Then, -with the Cresville auto again in shape for flight, Nestor told his story. - -"Who do you think the crowd in charge of the other auto was?" he asked. - -"Give it up," exclaimed Bob, the quicker to find out. - -"Noddy Nixon and his gang! As soon as I saw through the trees I made -up my mind it was better to use cunning than force. I happened to see -on their auto the same kind of a box that was taken off ours by the -landslide. I figured that they had made so much trouble for us, the -least thing they could do would be to lend us their batteries. So I jest -reckoned I'd borrow 'em. - -"I sent Jerry off to one side to fire a gun and draw their attention -there. I knew they'd run when they heard the noise. They did, and I -sailed in and yanked off the batteries. There they be." - -Nestor seemed quite proud of his work. The boys were very glad to have -their auto in shape again, and it was felt that Noddy and his crowd got -no more than they deserved. - -"They may trace us and make trouble," suggested Jerry. - -"I reckon they'll have hard enough work in the dark," said Nestor. "But -perhaps we'd better move on, an' git a good start of 'em. They may have -extra batteries an' set out to chase us." - -So, breaking camp, though it was still dark, the adventurers went -forward once more, Broswick riding on his horse, that, no doubt, was -glad to be relieved of the task of pulling the auto. The machine worked -well, the batteries transferred from Noddy's auto doing good service. - -It was daybreak before the travelers halted, and by this time they were -well beyond where Noddy and his companions had camped. - -"Here's a good place to stop," said Nestor, indicating a little clearing -near a mountain stream. "We ought to get breakfast now." - -For several days after this the trip went on without incident. The -weather continued fairly good, with only an occasional rainstorm. The -adventurers heard of the big rush of gold seekers to the district where -Nestor's mine was located; but so far, they were ahead of the big crowd -they had seen some time before. - -"We'll git there fust, after all," said Broswick, as he sat astride his -horse, that was now getting rather bony and thin from the long journey. - -"No tellin'," rejoined Nestor. "There's a lot of miners in this region, -an' if they git to that mine ahead of us there's goin' to be trouble." - -One afternoon, following a good day's run, the auto came to the end of -the long mountain slope down which the adventurers had been riding for -so long. They were now on a vast plain, or rather level valley, lying -between two of the big mountain ranges. It was a pleasant country to -travel in, and every one felt in good spirits. - -"We're gittin' near to the place," said Nestor, on reaching the level -stretch. "We'll keep on due west for a little while. I've sort of lost -my bearin's, but I'll git 'em back in a little while." - -He seemed somewhat worried, and was continually peering first to one -side, then the other. - -For several miles the auto journeyed on. No sign of human life was seen, -though there were plenty of small animals and insects that Professor -Snodgrass wanted to gather. But Nestor would hear of no delay. - -"Hold on!" cried the miner, suddenly, as the auto passed a sort of trail -leading up the valley. "This looks as if I'd seen it before." - -Jerry brought the machine to a stop, and Nestor got out. He looked at -the trees on either side of the trail and then came running back to the -machine. - -"It's all right!" he cried. - -"What is?" asked Ned. - -"We've found the lost trail to the mine," replied Nestor. "I didn't -think I'd strike it this way, but we have. Forward! Now for the richest -gold mine in the Rockies!" - -"Hurrah!" shouted the boys, and Professor Snodgrass and the hunter -joined in the cheers. - -"Leave your horse here, Broswick," advised Nestor. "He'll be safe and -the trail ahead is a hard one on animals. Get in the auto with us." - -The hunter agreed to the plan, and his faithful steed was turned loose -where there was plenty of food and water. Then, with the six in the -auto, though they were rather crowded, the machine was started off -toward the long-sought mine. - -Suddenly, from down the valley, sounded the noise of another machine -approaching. Ned turned around. - -"Here comes Noddy Nixon!" he shouted. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -A RACE TO THE MINE. - - -Before long Noddy Nixon and his crowd in their auto shot up alongside -the Motor Boys and their friends. Noddy looked over and grinned, while -Pud Stoneham raised his hat in mocking politeness. - -"Hurry up!" said Nestor to Jerry, in a low voice. "They are going to -give us a race to the mine. We must get there first!" - -"What difference does it make?" asked the boy, as he speeded up his -machine. - -"All the difference in the world," replied the miner. "I've staked my -claim, but I haven't filed the papers in the Government office, as the -law requires. The first man who comes along could jump my claim now. -I was relyin' on the mine bein' hard to find, but I see it has been -discovered. We must beat them!" - -"We'll do it if possible," said Jerry, with determination in his -voice. "I wonder how they got in shape so quickly after we took their -batteries?" - -"Probably had another set," was Nestor's opinion. - -The two machines were now moving almost side by side, up the defile -which led to the mine. The autos were about two hundred feet apart and -going at about the same rate of speed, which was not very fast, as the -road was not of the best. - -"How are you?" called out Jack Pender. - -"None the better for seeing you," replied Ned. - -"Thought you was smart to take our batteries, didn't you?" went on -Pender. "Well, we'll show you a trick or two. We'll get to that mine -before you!" - -"You've got another guess comin', young man!" cried Nestor. "When I git -through with you there won't be enough left to fill a hollow tooth. I've -got a score to settle with you." - -At this, Jack sank back in his seat. Bill Berry, who had been eyeing the -Motor Boys, shouted out: - -"If you cubs are lookin' fer trouble there'll be plenty of it. We're not -in Cresville now, where all your friends are." - -"I'm a born trouble-hunter!" exclaimed Hank Broswick, rising in his seat -and carelessly leveling his rifle at the wheels of Noddy's auto. "I kin -hit trouble a mile off!" - -"Don't shoot!" yelled Noddy, trying to duck behind the dash-board and -steer at the same time, with the result that he nearly overturned the -auto. - -"I wasn't goin' to," replied the hunter, with a grim chuckle. "I only -wanted to let you know I was on hand in case I might be wanted." - -After this the taunts from Noddy's gang ceased. In stern determination -the race now settled down into a contest to see who should be first at -the mine, for on that depended everything. - -For nearly ten miles the two autos were close together, neither gaining -any advantage. It began to get dusk, and the boys considered whether -they should stop for the night or keep on. - -"I think we had better camp until morning," advised Broswick. "We might -git ahead of 'em, an', again, we might not. The chances are we'd bust a -tire or sumthin', an' then we'd be worse off than before. Slow an' sure -is better than quick an' never." - -So, somewhat to Nestor's disappointment, the auto came to a stop when -the road was no longer visible because of darkness. - -"They're goin' on; I don't see why we can't," grumbled the miner. - -"Too risky," replied Broswick. "We'll make better time in the end." - -"Then we've got to start bright an' early in the mornin'," stipulated -Nestor. - -To this they all agreed. Supper was prepared and the guard set. The -other auto, with a last mocking toot of the horn, had disappeared. - -When the first indication of light in the east told that dawn was at -hand, Broswick, who had the last watch, awoke his companions. A hasty -breakfast was made and, even before the sun was up, the journey was -renewed. - -"I'd feel easier if I could git a sight of them other fellers," said -Nestor. - -"Do you s'pose they kept on goin' all night?" asked Broswick. - -"Let's see if we can't pick up their trail," suggested Professor -Snodgrass. "We can easily tell if an auto has preceded us." - -Jerry stopped the machine and Broswick got out. He made a careful -examination of the road and soon gave a yell that told he had discovered -something. - -"They're ahead," he announced, "but they made a stop here. The ground is -all trampled up. I wouldn't wonder if they had a breakdown, an' had to -halt for fixin' their shebang up. They can't be very far in advance." - -With lighter hearts the adventurers started off once more, keeping a -sharp lookout for the other auto. The sun rose high in the heavens, and -it was hot in the valley. Mile after mile was reeled off, but Noddy's -machine was not in view. - -It was almost noon when Professor Snodgrass, who was peering intently -ahead, suddenly uttered a cry. - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"I thought I saw a specimen of the almost extinct herds of buffalo," -answered the naturalist. - -"Buffalo!" cried Nestor, standing up to get a good view. "That's the -other automobile you see!" - -"So it is!" admitted the professor, taking a second glance. - -"Put on all the steam you've got!" cried the miner. "We must catch them -before night or the mine is lost! We're close to it now!" - -Jerry opened the throttle wide and shortened the intervals of sparking. -The automobile fairly jumped ahead, but so rough was the road that the -travelers were bounced about like peas in a pod. - -"We're gaining on them!" Ned shouted. "We'll soon be up to them!" - -In a little while not more than an eighth of a mile separated the two -machines, and this distance was gradually being lessened. Stoneham and -Dalsett, who were in the rear seat, looked back and shook their fists. - -"Not very pleasant chaps," commented Nestor. "Well, we don't mind how -they look." - -Five minutes later the autos were even, racing along the valley toward -the coveted riches. The excitement of the race was too keen to admit of -the wasting of breath in useless taunts. A tense silence was preserved, -broken only by the throbbing of the rival motors. - -"Have we any water aboard?" asked Bob, about ten minutes after the two -machines got on even terms. - -"I guess there's plenty in the tanks," answered Ned. - -"I mean to drink," went on Chunky. "I'm as dry as a fish." - -"Now that you speak of it, I would like a cool cupful myself," admitted -Ned. "Have we any, Jerry?" - -"Not a drop." - -The subject was not mentioned again for some time. But once the idea -had been broached it seemed impossible for Bob or Ned to get rid of it. -Their thirst grew amazingly under the hot sun, and soon all the others -were thinking how delicious some cold water would be. - -"I've simply got to have a drink," said poor Bob at length. "I'll die if -I don't get one." - -He certainly looked as if he needed it. The others, too, were suffering -the torments of thirst, for they had drunk nothing since early morning. - -"Can't we stop and get some water?" asked Ned. - -"If we do we'll lose several minutes," said Nestor, "and seconds will -count now. Try and stand it a little longer. Make believe you are -shipwrecked and can't get a drink. Sometimes sailors go for days -without a drink." - -"But they couldn't get it if they wanted to," spoke Bob, "and as for us, -there's a spring right alongside of the road," and he pointed to one -ahead. - -Jerry was about to turn up to it and stop, but Nestor urged him to keep -the auto going. - -"We don't want to lose everything, when we're jest about succeedin', all -fer a little water," he said. "Three hours more will see us at the mine. -If we stop now they'll beat us." - -"I'll give my share in the mine for a good drink," wailed Bob. - -"So will I!" chimed in Ned. - -In truth, the boys were suffering severely. So were the men, but they -were used to hardships, and the thought of the gold ahead made them -indifferent to the wants of the body. - -"See, we're coming to a river," went on Ned, pointing to where a bridge -could be seen spanning a stream. "We can get water there." - -"And lose the gold mine!" exclaimed Nestor, fiercely. "No, sir! We don't -stop until we're on the ground. Then you can get all the water you want." - -He seemed so excited that the boys were somewhat afraid of him, though -they knew it was all due to the strain of the moment. To add to their -discomfiture, they could see the other gold seekers in their auto taking -copious drinks from bottles of water. - -"My throat is all parched up!" cried Bob. "I must have water!" - -"So you shall!" shouted Jerry. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -GOLD! - - -"Do you mean to stop the car and let them git ahead of us?" demanded -Nestor. - -"I'm going to stop the car," replied Jerry, "but they're not going to -get ahead of us." - -"How you goin' to prevent it?" - -"I'll show you. Wait until we get to the bridge." - -The two machines were close together and the bridge was now about an -eighth of a mile ahead. Suddenly Jerry shifted the lever to throw the -third gear into place, at the same time opening the throttle. The red -auto fairly sprang forward, leaving the other behind. - -At first, Noddy, who was steering his machine, was too surprised at -Jerry's move to know what to do. When he did attempt to speed up, the -other car was several hundred feet in advance. Two minutes later Jerry -had reached the bridge and brought his auto to a stop. - -"There!" he exclaimed. "I guess we can hold them here as long as we -like. The other car can't beat us, can it?" - -"I should say not," answered Nestor. "You're a slick one, Jerry!" - -For the bridge was so narrow that there was but room on it for one auto -at a time. With Noddy's car in the rear, it could not go ahead until -Jerry was ready. - -"We'll all have a drink!" exclaimed Broswick. "I'm as dry as a -powder-horn myself." - -There was a general rush to the stream, which proved to be a clear, -cold, mountain brook, and never did liquid taste better than that to the -thirsty adventurers. They had not half enough when Noddy's machine came -puffing up, but was forced to stop. - -"Pull your machine out of there or I'll ram you!" he exclaimed. - -"Oh, I guess not!" said Nestor, slowly. "This is a public road." - -"I'll show you whether it is or not," went on the bully, in a blustering -tone, reaching for the lever to send his car ahead. His intention was to -push the other auto off the bridge. - -"Not so fast," spoke Nestor, slowly, carelessly drawing his revolver -from the holster. "Those are very pretty tires of yours, but it's no fun -ridin' on 'em when the wind is out. So go easy, Mr. Noddy Nixon!" - -"We'll fix you for this!" cried Dalsett. - -"Oh, it's you, is it?" asked Nestor, in seeming surprise. "Well, I -wouldn't crow too soon if I was you. It might not be altogether healthy, -you know." - -The other remained silent. The boys finished drinking, and, at -Broswick's suggestion, filled several cans with water, and placed them -in the auto. - -"Come, are you going to stay there all day?" growled Noddy. - -"As long as we please," answered Nestor. "We know what you're up to, but -we'll beat you yet." - -"The mine belongs to whoever stakes it first," put in Dalsett. - -"I see you know the law right enough," spoke Nestor. "But I wouldn't -advise you to get too well acquainted with it. There are some little -matters in New Mexico the law might want you to explain," and he smiled -at his former helper, whereat Dalsett turned pale and muttered beneath -his breath. - -But, having satisfied their thirst, the adventurers had no longer any -motive for blockading the bridge. They started off, Jerry getting the -motor up to a good speed before throwing in the gear, so that the car -moved off swiftly at the start. - -Like a flash, Noddy was after them. Once more the race was on. The sun -reached the zenith and began to decline in the west. - -Nestor was greatly excited. He was on familiar ground now, and saw -landmarks on every side. As the auto passed a dead sycamore tree he -shouted: - -"Only two miles farther now! Then, hurrah for the gold!" - -The other machine clung doggedly to the Cresville auto. Jerry was going -as fast as he dared, and Noddy was close behind. A few minutes more -would tell the tale. - -"One mile farther!" shouted Nestor. - -The next instant there came a report like a revolver shot. Every one -started, thinking they had been fired at. - -"They've busted a tire!" shouted Broswick. "I reckon that puts them out -of the race!" - -Noddy was obliged to bring his machine to a sudden stop. There was a -scene of confusion as the crippled machine was forced to give up the -pursuit. Berry and Dalsett seemed to be urging Noddy to continue in -spite of the accident, but, rash as the bully was, he knew better than -to go on with a collapsed tire. - -Jerry never slackened the speed of his auto, and rushed on, intent on -the goal that was now so near. Ten minutes later the road came to an -abrupt end against a slope of the mountain. - -"Well?" asked Jerry, throwing out the gear and leaving the auto with the -motor still running, panting like one who has run a long race. "What -next? We can't go any farther." - -"We don't need to," replied Nestor. - -"Why not?" - -"We're at the mine. It's on top of that hill," and Nestor indicated a -little knob that rose about two hundred feet away. "Come on, we'll take -a look at it." - -Jerry shut off the power and, leaving Professor Snodgrass in charge of -the machine, the others climbed up to the mouth of the shaft of the -long-lost mine that Nestor had so luckily discovered. - -A rude ladder led down into the depths below. Lighting some candles he -had with him, Nestor descended, telling the others to come, but to use -caution, as the ladders were old and rotten. - -With hearts that beat high in hope, the boys went down into the mine. -The first level was about fifty feet under the surface. Coming to a -halt, Nestor lit several more tallow ends. - -"Look!" he exclaimed. - -The boys stared in wonder. Gold, gold, gold seemed to be on every side -of them. It cropped out in the dirt and rocks; big yellow veins that -glowed with a dull gleam in the flickering lights. The sides of the mine -were traversed with the streaks of precious metal. Most of it was very -pure, and it could be dug out with a knife. - -"It's the richest mine I ever saw or heard of," said Nestor. "There's -enough gold in sight to make us all rich, even if no more develops as -we dig farther down. It's a great strike!" - -"It certainly is," agreed Jerry. "But can we establish a claim to it?" - -"The mine will stand in our joint names before another day," replied -Nestor. "I'll start for the Government office the first thing in the -morning, after I've staked a claim for each of us." - -"Providin' Noddy Nixon an' his crowd don't make more trouble," spoke -Broswick. - -"They're broke down," answered Nestor. - -"Nothin' to prevent 'em from walkin' here," went on the hunter. -"Howsomever, if they come we'll be ready for 'em. Now let's git supper." - -Taking a last look for the day at the riches around them, the -adventurers climbed to the surface. They went to where they had left -the automobile, made a fire and were soon preparing a simple meal. -Broswick's ready gun provided enough for supper and also insured a feast -of rabbit and partridge for the next day. - -The adventurers were so filled with thoughts of their success at -reaching the mine first that they sat around the camp-fire until almost -midnight, going over the happenings that had befallen them on their -journey. Then, the first watch having been assigned to Nestor, all the -others sought their blankets, and stretched out on the ground to sleep. - -The hours of the night passed without incident. There were no sounds -save, now and then, mournful hootings of the owls and the bark of foxes. -Jerry had the last watch, from three until six o'clock. - -He was sleepy when Broswick aroused him to take his place, but soon was -wide awake enough. - -"Anything happened?" he asked the hunter. - -"No; but keep your eyes open. We have to deal with a hard crowd, -especially Dalsett. If you hear any one approaching, fire in the air -first and then challenge." - -Jerry took up his vigil. To keep himself awake he walked back and forth -out of range of the light from the camp-fire. Once or twice he thought -he heard sounds as of some one approaching, and he nerved himself for a -struggle. - -But each time it proved to be only timid foxes that, with startled eyes, -came to see who had invaded their woods and glens. - -Just as dawn was about to herald itself by a pale light in the east, -Jerry heard a sound as of some heavy body coming through the underbrush. -He was on the alert in a moment. Peering forward, he saw the dim -outlines of a man approaching between the trees. The next instant Jerry -fired in the air, and called out: - -"Who goes there?" - -The reply was a volley of shots. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -BESIEGED AT THE MINE. - - -In an instant every one at the gold camp was on his feet. Broswick -reached for his ever-ready rifle and Nestor had his revolvers out in a -jiffy. - -"What is it?" called the miner to Jerry. - -"I heard some one coming, and I fired," replied the boy. - -"Did you see any one?" - -"I thought I saw a man, but I'm not sure." - -"You're right! It was a man, and that man is on deck now!" replied a -mocking voice, but no one was in sight. - -"That's Dalsett!" cried Nestor. "I know his voice. Come out where I can -see you, Dalsett!" went on the miner. "But I s'pose you're afraid to -show your sneakin' face!" - -"It's healthier where I am," said Dalsett, "but, just to show you that -we have the advantage--how's that?" - -A shot followed his voice, and a twig was clipped from the tree above -Nestor's head. Instinctively, the miner ducked. - -"We've got you surrounded," went on Dalsett. "You may have the mine, but -we have you, and a heap of good the claim will do you when you can't -file your papers!" - -In a rage, Nestor fired in the direction of the voice, aiming high, as -he did not wish to seriously wound even an enemy when there seemed to be -no need. A mocking laugh followed. At the same time there were several -shots from different points surrounding the camp, showing that it was -indeed encircled. - -"It looks as if they had us, don't it?" asked Broswick. - -"Not by a long shot!" replied Nestor, heartily. "I've only just begun to -play this here game. Before I'm through I'll make Noddy Nixon and Tom -Dalsett wish they'd never bothered me." - -"What shall we do?" inquired Jerry. - -"Get breakfast," answered Nestor, promptly. "We'll need food for what's -ahead of us." - -A stealthy movement in the bushes attracted his attention. - -"So that's their plan, eh?" he murmured. "Hank, take your gun and go up -to the mouth of the mine shaft. If any of that gang tries to approach, -shoot to wound but not to kill. They were trying to sneak up to the mine -and gain possession," explained Nestor, in reference to his directions -to the hunter. Broswick hurried up the slope. - -Jerry and the other boys proceeded to get the morning meal. As for -Professor Snodgrass, he was walking around, gathering specimens, as -though danger was a thousand miles away. Nestor, with weapons ready, -kept sharp watch. - -They ate breakfast by turns, keeping a lookout lest the enemy might -attempt to rush the position. But this did not seem to be the plan of -the besiegers. They were content to keep close watch so that those in -possession of the mine could not leave. - -As an experiment, Nestor tried it. He walked a little way down the -valley. He had not proceeded far before there was a spurt of dust at his -feet and a voice cried: - -"Better go back, Jim. You'll be all right as long as you stay in bounds, -but if you go out there'll be trouble; so I advise you to keep quiet." - -"Wait till I git hold of you, Tom Dalsett!" cried the miner, shaking his -fist in the direction of his invisible foe. - -"Oh, I expect to be here some time, so I'll wait," was the reply, and -Nestor could only turn back. - -Just before noon the miner called a council of war. He explained that it -was very necessary for him, or some one, to get to a Government office -and file a claim on the mine. - -"It's a case of first come, first served in this minin' business," -explained Nestor. "Those chaps may be on the way now to register their -papers, an' if they are we'll lose the claim. I'll bet that's their -plan, an' that's why they're keepin' us cooped up here!" - -"How far is it to the Government office?" asked Jerry. - -"A matter of thirty miles," replied Nestor. "It's about five miles -beyond where we turned up into this valley. But what's the use talkin'? -We can't git away while they're on guard with guns." - -"We all can't, but one of us might," suggested Jerry. - -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean that I will go and file the papers." - -"How will you manage it?" - -Jerry explained his plan. Nestor nodded in approval, and hurriedly told -him how to comply with the necessary legal forms. The miner hastily -filled out a paper, gave it to the boy, and remarked: - -"Now we'll try that trick of yours, Jerry." - -In accordance with the plan Jerry had proposed, every one but himself -started toward the top of the hill where the mine shaft was located. -Jerry stayed near the automobile. The others took no pains to move -quietly, but laughed and talked. - -Reaching the top of the slope, at a word from Nestor, they made a rush -down the other side, at the same time firing their revolvers wildly in -the air. - -As Jerry had expected, the ruse worked. The force of besiegers, -thinking an escape was being attempted, ran around the other side of the -hill to intercept it. Led by Dalsett, Noddy and his crowd drew up in -the underbrush at the opposite foot of the slope to trap the supposed -fugitives. - -At that instant Jerry sprang to the auto. Like a flash he had the motor -going, and a second later he had leaped into the seat and was off down -the valley. A ringing cheer by his comrades, together with the chugging -of the motor, told the enemy what had happened. They realized that they -had been fooled, and had been drawn away on a false alarm. - -"Quick! After him, Noddy!" cried Dalsett. "Jump in your auto! You must -overtake him before he reaches the Government office, for he's going -there to file the claim. That's what we'd ought to have done instead of -monkeying here." - -Noddy needed no second bidding. His auto stood ready a short distance -down the valley. He ran to it, started the motor, and was after Jerry in -a few minutes. It was another race for the possession of the gold mine. - -Returning to their camp, much pleased at the success of their stratagem, -Nestor, the boys and Professor Snodgrass got dinner. Broswick was still -on guard at the shaft, but Nestor relieved the hunter a little later, -allowing him to eat and take some rest. - -As for the besiegers, they seemed to have settled down to dogged -waiting, for they gave no sign, though an occasional movement in the -underbrush showed they were still on guard. - -Meanwhile, Jerry and Noddy were racing on. Jerry had a good start and -sent his car along at a fine speed. The road was rough, and several -times he struck large stones that caused the auto to bounce unpleasantly. - -Now and then Jerry would glance back to see if his enemy was in sight. -After a run of about two miles he caught a glimpse of Noddy's machine -coming after him. - -"Now we'll see who has the best car, and who is the best driver," -reasoned Jerry, and his spirits rose at the prospect of the race. - -For several miles Jerry held his lead. Then he noticed that Noddy was -gaining slightly. Jerry could feel that his motor was not running as -smoothly as it should, and no wonder, for it had been through strenuous -times. He used all his skill in operating the various valves, gears, -levers, but, do the best he could, he saw Noddy slowly though surely -creeping up on him. - -"He must not win!" exclaimed Jerry, fiercely, to himself. Then, though -it was a dangerous thing to do, for the road was very rough, he opened -the gasolene throttle still wider, and the car bounded forward at -greater speed. - -This temporary advantage was soon lost, however, and Noddy came on -relentlessly. For an hour the race continued. The autoists left the -small valley leading to the mine and turned into the broad defile. - -"Five miles more!" thought Jerry, recalling Nestor's directions. - -The next instant, with a rush and rattle, Noddy's car came up alongside -that of Jerry's. They were now on even terms. - -"I s'pose you thought you'd beat me!" sneered the bully. - -"The race isn't over yet," answered Jerry. - -But in truth it looked as if it was, as far as Jerry was concerned. -Noddy gained inch by inch, until his car was a good length ahead. The -bully looked back with a mocking smile. - -One mile was reeled off, and but four remained of the distance to the -little town where the Government office was located. Another mile; then -another. Noddy's car was now five hundred feet ahead, and Jerry was -running his machine as fast as he dared, though not to the limit. - -There remained but another mile as the cars shot into a long, straight -stretch. In the distance Jerry could see a small town. Noddy was an -eighth of a mile in advance. - -"I'm going to lose!" exclaimed Jerry, and he felt his heart sink. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -WINNING THE CLAIM. - - -There was but half a mile more. The two autos were now on the outskirts -of the settlement, and men gathered in the single main street to watch -the race. - -Suddenly Noddy's car skidded and he was forced to shut off the power. -This allowed Jerry to gain a little. He quickly saw his chance. -Resolving to risk everything, he turned on full speed and pressed down -the accelerator pedal. - -His car lurched forward with such suddenness that the youth was almost -pitched from his seat. But he caught up to Noddy. The latter saw the -advantage that had been gained and tried a desperate measure. - -Turning his steering wheel he swerved his auto over toward Jerry's, -intending to strike him a glancing blow and upset him. - -But Jerry was too quick for him. He got out of the way, though only just -in time. Then he glanced up and saw, about one hundred feet in advance, -a white building, with a sign reading: - -GOVERNMENT ASSAY OFFICE. - -He brought up his machine with a jerk by applying the emergency brake. -Almost before it stopped he leaped out, but his coat caught on the -steering wheel and he fell in the dusty road. - -At that instant Noddy dashed up in his machine. He was quick to see what -had befallen Jerry, and like a flash was out of his car, and, with a -proof of claim in his hand, he rushed for the door of the assay office. - -"No, you don't!" yelled Jerry, springing to his feet. - -He took after Noddy and caught him just as the bully was about to enter -the office. But one thought flashed through Jerry's mind. He must beat -Noddy. - -He drew back his fist and, with a powerful blow that caught the bully -right on the chin, sent him sprawling away from the doorway and into the -dusty street. - -"I want to file this claim," panted Jerry, an instant later, handing -the astonished Government clerk the proof Nestor had made out. The boy -had done the only thing possible under the circumstances to enable him -to get into the office. He had knocked Noddy aside and gone in ahead of -him, winning by the margin of a second. - -The commotion caused by the two automobiles racing into town, the -conduct of the two boys, and Jerry's action had attracted quite a -crowd about the assay office. People fairly filled the rough shack in -which the agents of Uncle Sam did business, and the claim clerk was -so startled by the suddenness of the whole transaction that he stood -motionless. - -"Aren't you going to file and record that claim?" asked Jerry, looking -out of the window and seeing Noddy limp to his feet. - -"I--I don't know--of course I am--that is----" - -"He isn't goin' to do anythin' until I have somethin' to say," -interrupted a rough voice. "I'm sheriff of this county, an' I'd have you -automobilists know that you can't come here lickity split an' not pay -the damage. I'll arrest you both for exceedin' the speed limits." - -"What is the legal limit?" asked Jerry, anxious only about getting his -paper filed. - -"Seventy miles an hour." - -"My machine can't make over fifty if I was to run it at full speed on a -beach track," replied Jerry, hotly. - -"Well--er--maybe I'm a leetle off on figgers," admitted the sheriff. "It -may be seven miles, but you're both arrested--er--um--fer disturbin' the -peace. There, I guess you can't git around that. I may be a leetle mite -hazy on law, but I ain't on fact. Do you deny that you disturbed the -peace?" and he turned to Jerry. - -"I admit I knocked him down," said the boy, nodding toward the bully, -who was entering the room. "I'm willing to pay a fine for that if I may -file this paper. How much do I owe you?" - -"We can't do business in that loose way," spoke the sheriff, with a -great sense of his own importance. "This must go through a regular form. -You'll both have to go before the judge. I'll arrest you both." - -"But can't I file this paper?" insisted Jerry. "You can arrest me just -the same." - -"One thing at a time," went on the sheriff. "You come with me; let the -judge hear the case, an' if he finds you not guilty you can come back -here an' file fifty papers if you want to. But you can't now, an' I -forbid this clerk to take any papers from anybody until I come back." - -Jerry fretted at the delay. It was easy to see that in this rough, -western town the authority of the sheriff was paramount. At first Jerry -thought it might be a trick put up to benefit Noddy, but when he saw the -bully was not allowed to file his papers either, he became convinced -that the sheriff thought he was acting within his legal rights. - -Followed by a big crowd, the officer led his two prisoners toward -the rude shanty where the judge held court as often as it was -necessary. Noddy was plainly in a great rage, but Jerry took it all as -good-naturedly as he could. - -"You wait till Pud Stoneham and Tom Dalsett hear of this!" blustered -Noddy to the sheriff. "They'll make trouble, for they told me to be sure -and file that paper as soon as I could." - -"What names did you say?" asked the sheriff. - -Noddy repeated them. - -"I'd give a good bit to see Pud Stoneham just now," remarked the -officer, in a peculiar voice. "But I guess he don't want to see me." - -"I'll tell you where you can find him," spoke Jerry, quickly, surmising -how the land lay. - -"Where? Tell me, quick, boy! Are you tryin' to fool me?" - -In a few words Jerry told about the mine, and how he had left his -friends besieged there by the gambler and his companions. - -"It's our mine, and I tried to file the claim before Noddy Nixon did," -finished Jerry. - -"And you'll do it yet," said the sheriff, heartily. "Here," he called to -the crowd, which came to a halt, "this case is adjourned indefinitely." - -"Ain't there goin' to be a trial?" asked several, disappointed in what -they thought would furnish excitement. - -"Not now," replied the officer. "This boy, Jerry Hopkins, is paroled -in my custody. Noddy Nixon is paroled in the custody of Bill Lamson, -an' I'll appoint you a special deputy for the occasion, Bill. You take -charge of Noddy until sundown, when you kin let him go. An', mind, if -he escapes I'll court-martial you, Bill." - -"He won't git away," said the new deputy, confidently. - -The crowd had already begun to disperse, finding there was to be nothing -to interest them. Lamson went away with Noddy, who vainly protested -against being detained. - -"Now take me to Pud Stoneham," said the sheriff to Jerry. "I've been -lookin' for him for 'most a month. He's wanted for a dozen crimes. Well, -well, this is luck!" - -"What about filing the claim?" asked Jerry, not losing sight of his -important mission. - -"You kin attend to that right off," was the answer. "Then take me to the -mine an' I'll attend to Pud Stoneham." - -Jerry lost no time in filing a formal proof of claim to the mine, and -saw the record made in the Government books. Then, with a lighter heart -than he had known for many a day, feeling that at least part of the hard -work was over, he went to the auto, where the sheriff was waiting. - -"I'll take you out in the car," said Jerry. - -"I'd a heap sight rather have a mule," commented the officer, eyeing the -machine with a suspicious glance, "but I s'pose this is quicker. Don't -upset, now." - -"I won't," promised Jerry. "But, Mr. Sheriff, hadn't you better take -some help along? Pud and Dalsett are well armed." - -"That's so. I'll swear in a couple of deputies," said the officer. -"Here, you," he called to two men passing by, "come with me, I may need -you. Hold up your right hands. You swear to do whatever I tell you to, -all right. I owe you fifty cents apiece, but you'll have to git change. -Never mind now, jump in the shebang. We're after a man." - -Then the sheriff paused to take a much-needed breath. The two men, who -didn't seem surprised at being so suddenly called on to act, took their -places in the machine and Jerry started off. - -He exulted in his success, for he knew that, no matter what happened -now, the mine stood in the names of Nestor and the adventurers, -including himself. All that now remained was to get the gold out. - -Jerry sent the machine along at a good clip. Mile after mile was covered -and at last the auto turned up the little valley leading to the mine. -As the machine neared the hill in which the shaft was sunk a sound of -firing was heard. - -"They're fighting!" cried the boy, as he increased the speed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE FIGHT AT THE MINE. - - -As the auto came near, the shots became more distinct. It seemed as if -a small-sized battle was in progress. Jerry stopped the car about a -thousand feet away from where the camp had been. - -"Take it easy until we see where we're at," advised the sheriff. -"There's too many bullets flyin' around for comfort." - -He got out of the machine and began creeping along on the ground on -hands and knees. His deputies followed his example, and Jerry thought it -well to do likewise. - -It was soon evident that an attack was being made on the hill, where -the forces of Nestor seemed to have entrenched themselves. Stoneham, -Dalsett, Berry and Pender were drawing nearer under cover of the -underbrush and were firing as they advanced. Nestor and his crowd were -replying with shot after shot, though most of the bullets were high in -the air. - -"If I could only get a line on where they are," muttered the sheriff, -"I'd be all right, but I can't see a thing in these bushes." - -All at once the firing from the top of the hill ceased. - -"I guess they're out of ammunition," said Jerry. "They didn't have very -much when I came away." - -"Then it's time we did somethin'," remarked the sheriff. "There, I see -'em now. Come on, boys!" - -The two deputies followed him on the run, and Jerry kept as close as he -could. - -Suddenly the sheriff came to a halt. He motioned with his hand for the -others to keep quiet. Then the officer began creeping at a slow pace. He -halted once more and waved to the others to approach. They did so with -all the caution possible. - -"We've got 'em!" exclaimed the sheriff. "Pud Stoneham and the rest of -'em are down in a little hollow just below us. They are gettin' ready to -make a rush, I think." - -Peering over the edge of a little bluff on which the sheriff's party -stood, Jerry looked down and saw the gambler, Bill Berry and Jack -Pender, each with a revolver, crouching down and peering forward. They -were within a few hundred feet of the shaft, and Jerry could dimly -observe Nestor and his friends grouped about the mine. - -They seemed to be making a last stand. The truth of the matter was that, -as Jerry had surmised, they were out of ammunition and could no longer -reply to the fusillade that Stoneham and his crowd kept up. For a time -there was a lull in the firing. - -Then the shots began again, coming from Stoneham, Berry and Pender. But -they did not seem to be aiming to kill or even wound those guarding the -mine. Desperate as the gambler was, and great as was his wish to get -the gold claim, he would not resort to extreme measures. So he and the -others were firing over the heads of those they were attacking. They -hoped to scare them away. - -If they could do this, and rush in, securing possession of the claim, -they would, under the mining laws, provided that Noddy had filed the -claim, be masters of the situation. But something was about to happen. - -The sheriff was watching Stoneham like a cat. The gambler and his -friends were unaware how close they were to danger, and continued to -fire above the heads of the party at the shaft. - -From their point of vantage the sheriff, his deputies and Jerry watched -what was going on below them. They saw Nestor, Broswick and the others -waver, for the firing was hot, and they did not know it was a harmless -one. - -"Come on!" yelled Stoneham, suddenly. "We've got 'em! Come on, an' take -the mine!" - -The gambler leaped to his feet, flourishing his revolver. Pender, Berry -and Dalsett prepared to follow him. - -"No, you don't!" cried the sheriff. - -The officer leaped forward, over the bluff, and shot downward. Full and -true he fell, right on the back of Stoneham, bearing him to the earth. - -"I say! What's this? Oh, let me up!" yelled the gambler. - -"Not until I've fixed you so's you can't do any damage!" exclaimed the -officer, drawing out a pair of handcuffs and fastening them on Stoneham. - -The gambler struggled hard for a few seconds. Then, finding it was of no -avail, he lay quietly at the sheriff's feet. - -"Where'd you come from?" he asked the officer. - -"Oh, I took a little run up here in one of them new-fangled gasolene -gigs," replied the sheriff, with a grin. "I heard you were up here an' I -felt I couldn't get along without havin' a little conversation with you." - -"Um!" grunted Stoneham. - -Dalsett disappeared into the bushes at the instant the sheriff had -jumped on the gambler's back, and was soon lost to sight. - -"Never mind him," said the officer, when he saw that capture was not -possible. "I didn't want him, anyhow. It was Pud I was after, an' I got -him." - -"What'll we do with this lad?" asked one of the deputies who had grabbed -Pender. - -"Pl-pl-please don't ki-kill me!" cried the boy, a coward, now that his -side had lost. - -"Kill you!" exclaimed the sheriff. "The worst that'll happen to you will -be a good spankin'. That's what we do to babies out here!" - -Pender showed no inclination to escape, nor did Bill Berry, who stood -sullenly to one side. - -"Get up!" the sheriff commanded Stoneham, and the gambler struggled to -his feet. His air of bravado was gone and he hung his head. "I'll take -you back to town in a little while," the officer announced. - -There was a crackling in the bushes and, cautiously parting them, Nestor -stepped into view. - -"What's happened?" he asked Jerry. - -"It's all right," replied the boy. "I filed the claim, I beat Noddy, and -this is the sheriff, who has arrested Mr. Stoneham." - -"Good for you!" cried the miner. "We've been havin' a pretty lively time -since you went away, an' you got back just in time. So the papers are -filed, eh? Well, that gives us the mine now, an' we're all rich!" - -"I'd rather have Mr. Stoneham here than a gold mine," remarked the -sheriff. - -"Is he so valuable?" asked Nestor. - -"He is to me," was the answer. "There's a reward of five thousand -dollars for his capture for counterfeitin' money, an' besides that -he's wanted on half a dozen charges. When I heard he was here, I jest -hustled, I tell you." - -It was getting dusk now, and, after a little thought, the sheriff -decided not to take his prisoner back to town that night. - -"If you don't mind, I'll camp out here with you," the officer said to -Nestor, and the miner extended a hearty invitation. Soon supper was -prepared and partaken of sitting around the camp-fire. - -Stoneham's hands were unshackled long enough to enable him to eat, but -the sheriff guarded him closely. He was not going to have his captive -escape if he could help it. Pender and Berry ate in dogged silence. - -After supper, when the men had lighted their pipes, Nestor told the -sheriff the story of the trip to the gold mine. The official was much -interested. - -"It's a good thing you have the claim to your mine filed," he said. -"I understand there's a great rush of diggers this way. They were at -Eagleville yesterday, a town about twenty miles from here, and I expect -they'll be stragglin' in here to-morrow. Whenever there's news of a gold -strike the miners are on the trail like a hound after a fox." - -The moon rose over the trees and made the glow of the camp-fire seem -like a tallow candle beside an electric light. The forest was flooded -with the radiance and it was almost as bright as day. - -"I could almost go out and gather some specimens," remarked Professor -Snodgrass, who had said little since the exciting events of the -afternoon. - -"What do you want most?" asked the sheriff. - -"I'd like to get--look out, there! Don't move for the life of you! Wait -until I get my net!" cried the professor, suddenly, staring at something -close to the officer. - -"What is it, a rattlesnake?" asked the sheriff, somewhat alarmed at the -professor's excitement. - -"Don't move! Don't move!" was all the naturalist replied. - -"Well, if it's a snake you can bet your boots I won't stir until you've -got it," answered the sheriff. "I seen a man bit by one once and he -didn't last half an hour. But say, my friend, don't be any longer than -you can help. It's sort of a strain on my nerves, you know." - -"Softly! Easy!" spoke the professor. - -He had his net now and was tiptoeing up to where the officer sat, close -beside Stoneham. - -"There!" cried the professor, slapping the meshes down on the ground. -"I've got him!" - -"Have you got the rattlesnake?" asked Jerry. - -"Rattlesnake?" inquired the naturalist, gathering something carefully -in the folds of the net. "Who said anything about a snake? I've just -captured a white lizard, one of the rarest that exists. It's worth one -thousand dollars." - -"Well," exclaimed the sheriff, "it nearly scared me to that amount, the -way you acted. I thought sure I was goin' to be hit by a snake." - -After the excitement, unintentionally caused by the professor, had -quieted down, and he had put his lizard away with his other specimens, -it was voted time to turn in. Blankets were brought from the automobile -to serve as coverings, and the fire was replenished. - -In order to be sure his prisoner would not escape, the sheriff tied -Stoneham to a big tree. As an additional precaution the officer passed -one end of the rawhide thong about his own arm, so that the slightest -movement on the gambler's part would be noted. - -Then Nestor, who agreed to take the first watch, began pacing up and -down in front of the camp, while the others fell asleep. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -AN ESCAPE--CONCLUSION. - - -At midnight Nestor awoke Broswick, who was to take the next watch. - -"All quiet?" asked the hunter. - -"As a churchyard," replied the miner. - -"How about Berry and Pender?" - -"They haven't moved." - -"All right; turn in." - -Nestor was soon snoring, and Broswick began his vigil. The moon began to -move over toward the west, and the only sounds heard were the hoots of -owls or the barking of foxes. - -Suddenly the hunter paused in his walk about the camp. His trained -ear told him somebody or something was approaching. He could hear the -breaking of twigs and the rattle of stones as they were stepped on. - -"That's a human being," decided the hunter. "No animal would be as -clumsy as that in making an approach." - -He waited, with his rifle ready. - -"If it's some one coming to rescue Stoneham they'll get a warm -reception," he whispered to himself. - -The noise came nearer. Then the bushes off to the left parted -cautiously, and Broswick heard a soft whisper: - -"Hey, Bill! Hey, Jack! Where are you?" - -"It's that Noddy Nixon chap," Broswick muttered. "He must have come back -in his automobile after the deputy sheriff released him at sundown. Now -I wonder what I'd better do?" - -"Hey, Bill!" Noddy called, in a little louder whisper, "can you sneak -away? I have the machine ready." - -This time a movement near where Bill Berry and Pender were lying told -that they had heard the summons. Broswick silently drew back into -the shadows and waited to see what would happen. He did not think it -necessary to arouse the others yet. - -Berry rose to his feet and peered about him. Jack followed. They were -trying to locate Noddy's whereabouts. - -"Here I am!" whispered Noddy. "Right by the oak tree." - -As quietly as they could, Pender and Berry began sneaking off to one -side, avoiding the light cast by the camp-fire. - -"Shall I let 'em go or stop 'em?" debated Broswick with himself. "Guess -I'll let 'em go. We don't want 'em, for they're more trouble than -they're worth. But I'll give 'em a good scare." - -He raised his gun and fired two shots in the air, over the heads of the -escaping man and boy. Their frightened yells told how startled they were. - -In an instant the camp was in confusion. Every one awoke, Nestor -standing ready with a revolver in either hand. - -"What's the matter?" he cried. - -"Only Noddy coming back for his two friends," replied Broswick. - -"Have they escaped?" - -The hunter raised his hand to indicate silence. A crashing of the -underbrush told in which way the fugitives were heading. - -"There they go," said Broswick. - -The sheriff had quickly assured himself that Stoneham was still securely -bound. - -"Shall we take after Noddy and Pender?" asked Broswick. - -"What's the use?" asked Nestor. "If we had them arrested it would only -make trouble for us. Let 'em go. I got some of my gold back from Pender." - -"Yes, let 'em go," assented Jerry. - -"Hark!" exclaimed Ned. - -All listened. The faint chugging of an automobile was heard, gradually -dying away in the distance. - -"I guess that's the end of 'em," remarked Nestor. - -Once more quiet settled down on the camp, and there were no other -disturbances that night. The shining of the sun through the trees awoke -the campers, and soon coffee was made and a simple breakfast ready. - -"Now if one of you will run down to town in the automobile, with me and -my friend Stoneham here," said the sheriff, "I'll be obliged to you." - -Jerry agreed to make the trip, and Nestor said he would go along, as he -wanted to do some business at the Government Assay Office. The mine was -left in charge of Broswick, Professor Snodgrass, Ned and Bob. - -"Don't let anybody jump the claim," cautioned the miner with a laugh, as -he rode off, Jerry steering the automobile down the valley. - -"There'll be trouble if they try it," said the hunter, looking at his -gun. - -No accidents occurred during the automobile trip. Town was safely -reached, and the sheriff lodged his prisoner in jail. Nestor transacted -his business with the Government agent, and then Jerry headed the -machine back for the camp. There they found everything in good shape. - -"Now that our troubles are about over, an' we're in possession of our -mine, it won't be a bad idea to dig out a few nuggets for luck," said -Nestor. - -"Can we have one?" asked Bob. - -"Why, sure, Chunky," replied the miner. "The claim's part yours, jest as -it is mine. We're goin' to share an' share alike in this deal. I'd never -have got to this mine if it hadn't been for you boys. Have a nugget? -Well, I guess yes." - -They went to the top of the hill, and Nestor and Jerry descended the -shaft. This second trip more than confirmed the first view of the -richness of the mine. The rocky sides of the shaft were fairly studded -with small nuggets. Nestor dug out some with his knife, and Jerry did -likewise. - -"There's about one hundred dollars," remarked the miner after half an -hour's work, showing a handful of dull, golden pebbles. Jerry had about -the same amount. - -"Now we've got to git ready to work this claim," said Nestor. "I'll -attend to all that, seein' as how I'm familiar with the business. But, -first, we'll go up an' show the others what we have." - -As they neared the top of the shaft they heard quite a commotion on the -surface. The voices of men in dispute could be heard. - -"I wonder what's the trouble now?" Nestor said. - -Coming out of the shaft he found the summit of the hill surrounded by -fifty or more roughly dressed men, all bearing mining tools on their -backs. They stood in a circle while Broswick, with cocked rifle, was -holding them at bay. - -"What's the matter?" asked Nestor. - -"They allowed they was goin' to jump this claim," said the hunter. - -"Excuse me, pardner," spoke one of the crowd, who seemed to be a sort of -leader, addressing his remarks to Nestor. "I take it you're in charge -here?" - -"That's what," replied the miner. - -"Waal, we ain't goin' to jump nobody's claim. We're a bunch of miners, -an' we've come all the way from Spread Eagle Valley to this region, -hearin' as how there was good claims here. Are we right?" - -"You be," replied Nestor, "an' you're welcome. There's the stakes of our -claim," and he indicated them. - -"All filed reg'lar an' 'cordin' to law, I s'pose?" went on the spokesman. - -"Right," answered Nestor. "You can locate anywhere you like outside of -my claim." - -"That's all we wanted to know," went on the other. "Come on, boys!" he -called to his companions. "It's all right!" - -The whole valley was soon a scene of great activity, with miners staking -claims on every side. They were eager with the desire for gold. - -Within a week the whole region fairly swarmed with the gold seekers, -for the section was rich with the precious metal. But no claim was as -valuable as that of the lost mine which Nestor and the boys had found. - -Arrangements were made for working the claim, machinery was ordered, -and soon pay-dirt was being taken out in large quantities. A more -comfortable log cabin was erected in place of the rude shack that served -as a temporary shelter, and the boys began to enjoy life in the new -diggings. - -One of the first things they had done when they were sure of the -possession of the mine was to write back home and tell their parents of -the good luck. - -Jerry suggested that in the missives each one should ask permission to -remain at the gold mine for some time longer, and perhaps make a further -trip before returning to Cresville. - -"I wonder if we'll get any letters by this mail?" asked Ned one evening, -when, after the day's work was done, they all sat about the camp-fire. - -"We'll soon know," said Jerry. "Here comes Nestor back from town, and it -looks as if he had something in his hand." - -The miner approached, riding Broswick's horse. - -"Here's the postman!" he cried, waving some papers in the air. "Letters -for each of ye!" - -Three anxious boys opened three envelopes and soon were busy reading -the missives. Then came three simultaneous whoops of delight. - -"I can stay!" yelled Bob. - -"Me, too!" exclaimed Jerry. - -"And me!" came from Ned. - -"I don't blame your folks for lettin' ye stay," put in Nestor. "You're -makin' money here every day out of this mine." - -The parents of the boys had wisely concluded that it would be a good -experience for their sons to develop the mine further, since they seemed -to be in good hands under Nestor's guidance, and able to take care of -themselves. - -"We'll have no end of good times," said Bob, trying to turn a handspring -on the grass, but tumbling down in the effort. - -"I'd feel better if I was sure we had seen the last of Noddy and Pender, -as well as Bill Berry and that Dalsett chap," spoke Jerry. - -"Oh, they'll never bother us again," came from Ned. "They're running -like scared rabbits. We'll never see them again." - -But Ned was wrong. They did meet Noddy and his three companions once -more, and under strange circumstances, as will be related in the next -volume of this series, to be entitled "The Motor Boys in Mexico; or, The -Secret of the Buried City." - -"Let's go to bed," suggested Jerry, as the camp-fire died out. And they -went to their bunks in the log cabin as the moon rose over the trees and -cast a silver gleam over the machinery at the shaft of the gold mine. - -The Motor Boys' trip overland had panned out very well, indeed. - - -THE END. - - - - -_The Motor Boys Series_ - -_By Clarence Young_ - -=Handsomely illustrated. Bound in cloth, stamped in colors. Price per -volume, 60 cents.= - - - THE MOTOR BOYS - _Or, Chums Through Thick and Thin_ - -In this volume is related how the three boys got together and planned to -obtain a touring car and make a trip lasting through the summer. - - - THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - _Or, A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune_ - -With the money won at the great motorcycle race the three boys purchase -their touring car and commence their travels. - - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - _Or, The Secret of the Buried City_ - -From our own country the scene is shifted to Mexico, where the motor -boys journey in quest of a city said to have been buried centuries ago -by an earthquake. - - - THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS - _Or, The Hermit of Lost Lake_ - -Unraveling the mystery surrounding an old hermit and a poor boy. - - - THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT - _Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway_ - -In this volume the boys take to a motorboat, and have many adventures. - - - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - _Or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse_ - -How the lads foiled the bad men who wanted to wreck a steamer by means -of false lights is dramatically related. - - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - _Or, Lost in a Floating Forest_ - -Telling of many adventures in the mysterious Everglades of Florida. - - - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC - _Or, The Young Derelict Hunters_ - -The derelict was of great value, and the hunt for it proved full of -perils. - - -_CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK_ - - - - -_The Jack Ranger Series_ - -_By Clarence Young_ - -_Author of the Motor Boys Series_ - -=Cloth. Illustrated, $1.00 per volume= - - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS - _Or, The Rivals of Washington Hall_ - -=Cloth, beautifully decorated. Illustrated, $1.00= - -[Illustration] - -You will love Jack Ranger--you simply can't help it. He is so bright -and cheery, and so real and lifelike. A typical boarding-school tale, -without a dull line in it. - - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES - _Or, Track, Gridiron and Diamond_ - -In this tale Jack gets back to Washington Hall and goes in for all sorts -of school games. There are numerous contests on the athletic field, and -also a great baseball game and a football game, all dear to a boy's -heart. The rivalry is bitter at times, and enemies try to put Jack "in a -hole" more than once. - - - JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP - _Or, From Boarding School to Ranch and Range_ - -This volume takes the hero and several of his chums to the great West. -Jack is anxious to clear up the mystery surrounding his father's -disappearance. At the ranch and on the range adventures of the strenuous -sort befall him. - - - JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE - _Or, The Wreck of the Polly Ann_ - -Here is a tale of the bounding sea, with many stirring adventures. How -the ship was wrecked, and Jack was cast away, is told in a style all -boys and girls will find exceedingly interesting. There is plenty of fun -as well as excitement. - - -_CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK_ - - - - -_The Boy Hunters Series_ - -_By Captain Ralph Bonehill_ - -=Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents= - - -[Illustration] - - FOUR BOY HUNTERS - _Or, The Outing of the Gun Club_ - -A fine, breezy story of the woods and waters, of adventures in search of -game, and of great times around the campfire, told in Captain Bonehill's -best style. In the book are given full directions for camping out. - - - GUNS AND SNOWSHOES - _Or, The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters_ - -In this volume the young hunters leave home for a winter outing on the -shores of a small lake. They hunt and trap to their hearts' content, and -have adventures in plenty, all calculated to make boys "sit up and take -notice." A good healthy book; one with the odor of the pine forests and -the glare of the welcome campfire in every chapter. - - - YOUNG HUNTERS OF THE LAKE - _Or, Out with Rod and Gun_ - -Another tale of woods and waters, with some strong hunting scenes and a -good deal of mystery. The three volumes make a splendid outdoor series. - - -_CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK_ - - - - -_Boys of Business Series_ - -_By Allen Chapman_ - -=Illustrated, 12mo. Cloth, 60 cents per volume= - - -[Illustration] - - THE YOUNG EXPRESS AGENT - _Or, Bart Stirling's Road to Success_ - -Bart's father was the express agent in a country town. When an explosion -of fireworks rendered him unfit for work, the boy took it upon himself -to run the express office. The tale gives a good idea of the express -business in general. - - - TWO BOY PUBLISHERS - _Or, From Typecase to Editor's Chair_ - -This tale will appeal strongly to all lads who wish to know how a -newspaper is printed and published. The two boy publishers work their -way up, step by step, from a tiny printing office to the ownership of a -town paper. - - - MAIL ORDER FRANK - _Or, A Smart Boy and His Chances_ - -Here we have a story covering an absolutely new field--that of the -mail-order business. How Frank started in a small way and gradually -worked his way up to a business figure of considerable importance is -told in a fascinating manner. - - - A BUSINESS BOY - _Or, Winning Success_ - -This relates the ups and downs of a young storekeeper. He has some keen -rivals, but "wins out" in more ways than one. All youths who wish to go -into business will want this volume. - - -_CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK_ - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - - --Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. - - --Archaic and variable spellings have been preserved. - - --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND*** - - -******* This file should be named 42748.txt or 42748.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/2/7/4/42748 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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