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diff --git a/47491-h/47491-h.htm b/47491-h/47491-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..072bc49 --- /dev/null +++ b/47491-h/47491-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5509 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "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" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Motor Matt's Red Flyer, or, On the High Gear, by Stanley R. Matthews</title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%} +hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + + .tdl {text-align: left;} + .tdr {text-align: right;} + .tdc {text-align: center;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +img { border: 0; } +.huge { font-size: 200%; } +.large { font-size: 150%; } +.medium { font-size: 125%; } +.small { font-size: 75%; } +.chaptitle { text-align: center; } +.sig { text-align: right; } + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 47491 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Motor Matt's Red Flyer, or, On the High Gear, +by Stanley R. Matthews</h1> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Villanova University Digital Library. See + <a href="http://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:304205"> + http://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:304205</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/coverlarge.jpg"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="562" alt=""Leaf dot alone!" yelled Carl, +floundering to get to the +girl's aid, "dot pelongs to +Moder Matt!"" /></a> +</div> +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<h1>MOTOR STORIES</h1> + +<table summary="scaffold"> +<tr> +<td style="width: 50%; padding-right: 1.5em;" class="tdr"> +THRILLING<br /> +ADVENTURE +</td> +<td style="width: 50%; padding-left: 1.5em;" class="tdl"> +MOTOR<br /> +FICTION +</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="bb bt tdl"> +NO. 6<br /> +APR. 3, 1909. +</td> +<td class="bb bt tdr"> +FIVE<br /> +CENTS +</td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="tdl large"> +MOTOR MATT'S<br /> +RED FLIER +</td><td class="tdr large"> +<span class="small">OR</span> ON THE HIGH<br /> +GEAR +</td> +</tr><tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="tdc"> +<br /><i class="medium">By <span class="smcap">Stanley R. Matthews</span>.</i><br /><br /> +<span class="smcap">Street & Smith,<br /> +Publishers,<br /> +New York.</span> +</td> +</tr></table> +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<table summary="scaffold" class="bbox"> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="tdc huge">MOTOR STORIES</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr large" style="padding-right: .25em;">THRILLING ADVENTURE</td><td class="tdl large" style="padding-left: .25em;">MOTOR FICTION</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><i>Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1909, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, +Washington, D. C., by</i> <span class="smcap">Street & Smith</span>, <i>79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York, N. Y.</i></p> + +<table summary="scaffold" class="bb bt"> +<tr><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdl">No. 6.</td><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdc">NEW YORK, April 3, 1909.</td><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdr">Price Five Cents.</td></tr> +</table> + + + + +<p class="center huge">MOTOR MATT'S RED FLIER</p> + +<p class="center">OR,</p> + +<p class="center large">ON THE HIGH GEAR.</p> + +<hr class="r5" /> + +<p class="center">By the author of "MOTOR MATT."</p> + +<hr class="r5" /> + + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2> + +<p class="center"> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. STRANDED "UNCLE TOMMERS."</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. THE RED FLIER GETS A LOAD.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. THE STOLEN RUNABOUT.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. THE COAT IN THE RUMBLE.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. MATT BEGINS A SEARCH.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. LOSING THE BOX.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. SPIRITED AWAY.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. A DARING PLAN.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. ON THE ROAD.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. A CLOSE CALL.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. CAR AGAINST CAR.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. MOTOR MATT'S TEN-STRIKE.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. MORE TROUBLE FOR THE "UNCLE TOMMERS."</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. CONCLUSION.</a><br /> +<a href="#A_SNOWBALL_FIGHT">A SNOWBALL FIGHT.</a><br /> +<a href="#SECRETS_OF_TRICK_SHOOTING">SECRETS OF TRICK SHOOTING.</a><br /> +<a href="#REELFOOT_LAKE">REELFOOT LAKE.</a><br /> +<a href="#A_FLOATING_SLUM">A FLOATING SLUM.</a><br /> +<a href="#WILD_HORSES_OF_NEVADA">WILD HORSES OF NEVADA.</a><br /> +</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<div class="bbox"> +<h2><a name="CHARACTERS_THAT_APPEAR_IN_THIS_STORY" id="CHARACTERS_THAT_APPEAR_IN_THIS_STORY">CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THIS STORY.</a></h2> + + +<blockquote> + +<p><b>Matt King</b>, concerning whom there has always been a mystery—a +lad of splendid athletic abilities, and never-failing nerve, who +has won for himself, among the boys of the Western town, the +popular name of "Mile-a-minute Matt."</p> + +<p><b>Carl Pretzel</b>, a cheerful and rollicking German lad, who is led by a +fortunate accident to hook up with Motor Matt in double harness.</p> + +<p>"<b>Legree</b>," a member of the stranded "Uncle Tom" Company, about +whom something mysterious seems to hover.</p> + +<p>"<b>Little Eva</b>," who turns out to be other than appearances would +seem to indicate.</p> + +<table summary="scaffold" style="margin: 0;"> +<tr><td> +"<b>Eliza</b>,"<br /> +"<b>Uncle Tom</b>,"<br /> +"<b>Topsy</b>," +</td><td style="font-size: 300%;">}</td> +<td> +other members of the unlucky road combination +helped by Motor Matt. +</td></tr> +</table> + +<table summary="scaffold" style="margin: 0;"> +<tr><td> +<b>Brisco</b>,<br /> +<b>Spangler</b>, +</td><td style="font-size: 200%;">}</td> +<td> +a brace of reckless adventurers with whom Matt and his +Dutch pard have a particularly exciting inning. +</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><b>O'Grady</b>, an inn-keeper.</p> + +<p><b>Lem Nugent</b>, the owner of the stolen runabout.</p></blockquote> +</div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">STRANDED "UNCLE TOMMERS."</p> + + +<p>"Help! Some ob yo' folks ahead, dar! Unc' Tawm's +in de ruvver! He drapped de box, an' went in afteh hit +head first lak er frawg. He's drowndin', he sholey is! By +golly! Legree! Eliza! Come back hyeh dis minyit! +Unc' Tawm's drowndin'!"</p> + +<p>Topsy was making a terrific commotion. While she +screeched for help she ran circles on the river-bank, tossing +her hands wildly. If she had put some of her aimless +energy into helping Uncle Tom, the kinky-headed old +negro in the water would have been a whole lot better off. +He was floundering and thrashing and making a good +deal of noise himself.</p> + +<p>"Hit's ovah mah haid!" he spluttered. "Ah's done got +de crampus en mah lef' laig an' Ah's monsus bad off! +Bl-r-r-r! Dat's twicet Ah's gawn down, en de nex' time +Ah's gwine down tuh stay. Doan' put yo'se'f out none—doan' +scramble so ha'd yo' lose yo' bref. Hit's only a +coon whut's drowndin', so take yo' time gittin' hyeh +an'——"</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom swallowed a bucket of water, more or less, +just then, and his language was submerged.</p> + +<p>"Mercy sakes!" cried Eliza breathlessly, hurrying back +through the brush, closely tagged by Little Eva and Legree. +"Do something, somebody! Oh, I wish we had a +rope. Hang onto the box, Uncle Tom," she added encouragingly; +"we'll get you out!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, biscuits!" scoffed Little Eva. "Stop t'rowin' yerself +around like dat an' try ter float. De way yous handles +yerself, Uncle Tom, gives me a pain. Can't y' swim?"</p> + +<p>Legree was carrying a blacksnake whip.</p> + +<p>"Here," he yelled, posting himself on the edge of the +bank and reaching out to throw the whip-lash toward the +old negro, "grab hold of that and I'll snake you ashore +too quick for any use."</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom was beyond talking, but he shook the water +from his eyes, saw the whip and grabbed it. Thereupon +Legree laid back on the handle and pulled. Uncle Tom +was brought upright, his feet on the river-bed. The water +came just above his knees, and he waded ashore.</p> + +<p>"Well, de old geezer!" exploded Little Eva. "Say, +give me a pair o' high-heeled shoes an' I'll walk acrost dat +roarin' torrent widou' never wettin' me kicks. How much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +water does it take ter drown yous, Uncle Tom? Oh, sister, +what a jolt."</p> + +<p>Little Eva began to laugh.</p> + +<p>"Dat's right," gurgled Uncle Tom, splashing around +on one foot to get the water out of his ear, "laff, laff an' +show yo' ignunce. Dat didun' git away f'um me, nohow," +and he threw a small tin box on the ground in front +of Legree.</p> + +<p>Eliza stooped and picked up the box.</p> + +<p>"You take care of that, Eliza," said Legree. "Uncle +Tom must have been careless. What were you and Topsy +walking along by the river for?" he added, turning to the +old negro.</p> + +<p>"We reckons we mout hook er fish," explained Topsy, +pointing to the ground where a stick with a fish-line attached +to its end had been dropped.</p> + +<p>"Ah'm gettin' pow'ful hongry," complained Uncle Tom, +"en Ah doan' see how we-all's gwine tuh eat if we doan' +ketch er fish er kill er possum, er somepin lak dat. Mah +goodness, but Ah'm holla cleah down tuh mah shoes. If +a piece ob bresh hadun' switched dat box out'n mah han', +Ah wouldn't hab got en de ruvver. Anybody dat wants +tuh kin tote dat 'ar box. Ah done had enough ob it."</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, Uncle Tom," said Eliza. "When we get to +the next town we'll have something to eat."</p> + +<p>"Huccome yo' allow dat, Miss 'Liza? Whah we git de +money, huh?"</p> + +<p>"I've got a ring," answered Eliza, with a little break in +her voice, "and I'll pawn it."</p> + +<p>"No, you don't, Eliza," said Legree. "I've got a watch, +and I'll pawn that."</p> + +<p>"Wisht I had somet'in' t' soak," said Little Eva. "Brisco's +head wouldn't be a bad t'ing, eh? Say, mebby I +couldn't hand dat mutt a couple o' good ones if he was +handy!"</p> + +<p>Legree brought his hand around and boxed the boy's +ears—for "Little Eva," in this case, was a boy of nine.</p> + +<p>"Stow it," growled Legree, who happened to be the +boy's father. "You can talk a lot without saying much, +kid. Come on, everybody," he added. "The quicker we +get to Fairview the quicker we eat. You and Topsy keep +in the road, Uncle Tom, and don't lag behind."</p> + +<p>"How's Ah gwine tuh git dried off?" fretted Uncle +Tom. "De rheumatix is li'ble tuh come pesterin' erroun' +if Ah ain't mouty keerful wif mahse'f."</p> + +<p>"Walk fast, Uncle Tom," said Legree, starting back +toward the road.</p> + +<p>"Ah kain't walk fast," said the old man; "hit's all Ah +kin do tuh walk at all, kase Ah's mighty nigh tuckered. +Dishyer walkin'-match is monsus tough on er ole man, +sho' as yo's bawn. Ain't dey no wagons in dis country? +Whaffur dey got er road if dey ain't got no wagons? +Ah'd give a mulyun dollahs if Ah had it fo' a mu-el en a +wagon."</p> + +<p>Topsy pushed close to Uncle Tom's side, grabbed his +wet sleeve and helped him along. In a few minutes they +broke away from the river-bank into the road.</p> + +<p>Little Eva didn't seem to mind walking. He pranced +along with a pocket full of stones, and every once in a +while he stopped to make a throw at a road-runner or a +chipmunk.</p> + +<p>Trees and brush lined the road on each side, growing +so thickly that it was impossible to see very far into the +timber. Eliza and Legree, talking over the difficulties in +which they found themselves and trying to plan some way +for surmounting them, were pretty well in advance, while +Uncle Tom and Topsy were pretty well in the rear. Little +Eva was dodging around in between, now and then shying +at something with a stone.</p> + +<p>The strange little party had not proceeded far before +the boy heard a noise in the brush. Heedless of what he +might find in such a wild country, he jumped into the +thicket. And then he jumped out again, yelling like a +Comanche.</p> + +<p>"Run!" he piped frenziedly, tearing along the road. +"Dere's somet'ing chasin' me an' it's as big as a house an' +has a mout' like a church door. Sprint! Sprint fer yer +lives!"</p> + +<p>The other four gave their immediate attention to Little +Eva, and then changed it to something that rolled out of +the undergrowth directly behind them.</p> + +<p>"A bear!" yelled Legree. "Hunt a tree, kid! Everybody +climb a tree!"</p> + +<p>This is exactly what everybody proceeded to do. Little +Eva shinned up a sapling, Legree gave Eliza a boost into +a scrub oak, and then started for a neighboring pine himself, +and Uncle Tom displayed a tremendous amount of +reserve force, considering his age and his recent experience.</p> + +<p>"Ah knows dis trip is gwine tuh be de deaf ob me," he +fluttered, getting astride a limb and hugging the trunk of +the tree with both arms. "Mah goodness!" he chattered, +craning his neck to get a good look at the cause of the disturbance. +"Go 'way f'um hyeh, you! We-all doan' want +no truck wif you."</p> + +<p>The bear was a grizzly—not a large grizzly, but plenty +large enough. There were lots of bigger bears in that +part of Arizona, but this was the biggest one Fate had to +run in among those unlucky "Uncle Tommers."</p> + +<p>Having gained a position about half-way up and down +the line of treed actors, the bear sat down in the road and +proceeded to enjoy the situation.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right?" sang out Legree from the top of +the pine: "is everybody all right?"</p> + +<p>"If bein' hung up like dis is wot yous call all right, +dad," answered Little Eva, "den it's a lead pipe dat we's +all t' de good. But, say, I ain't feelin' real comfertable +in me mind."</p> + +<p>"Shoo dat animile away, Mistah Legree," begged Topsy. +"Hit ain't right tuh make us stay hyeh lak dis when +we's all tiah'd out."</p> + +<p>"Go right up to de beah, Legree," suggested Uncle +Tom, "en tie dat whip erroun' his neck an' strangle de life +outen him. Beah meat is mighty nigh as good as possum, +an' we kin git fo' er five dollahs fo' de pelt."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" murmured Eliza. "I do wish he'd go +away. I guess he's thinking more about making a meal +off of us than letting us make one from him."</p> + +<p>"Dey trabbles in paihs," called Uncle Tom in trembling +tones, by way of enlivening the situation. "Hit's lak +snakes, en wherebber yo' finds one yo' sholey is gwine tuh +fin' anudder."</p> + +<p>"Ah hears de odder!" screamed Topsy. "He's champin' +down de road lak er singed cat. Heah him! Oh, mah +golly! We's all as good as daid—we's all gwine tuh be +et up."</p> + +<p>Strange noises were coming from along the back track, +coming rapidly and growing louder and louder.</p> + +<p>"Dat odder one's bigger 'n a efelunt!" palpitated Uncle +Tom, climbing a couple of limbs higher. "All Ah hopes +is dat he ain't big enough tuh reach up en take me outen +de tree. Ah's a gone niggah, Ah feels hit en mah bones."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<p>The bear heard the approaching noise, and it seemed +to puzzle him. He sniffed the air, shook his head forebodingly, +and then dropped down on all fours and ambled +into the brush.</p> + +<p>The next moment, to the astonishment of the four +actors, a sparkling red automobile rushed into sight, coming +from the direction of Ash Fork and headed toward +Fairview.</p> + +<p>A youth in leather cap and jacket was in the driver's +seat; beside him was a young German in a "loud" suit and +a red vest.</p> + +<p>"Pretzel!" yelled Little Eva; "I'm a jay if it ain't Pretzel!"</p> + +<p>"Saved!" cried Eliza.</p> + +<p>The big red touring-car came to a halt in about the +same place where the bear had recently held the fort.</p> + +<p>The faces of the two boys in the car were pictures of +amazement as they stared at the odd assortment of actors +hanging in the trees.</p> + +<p>"Vell, py shinks," exclaimed the Dutch boy, "dis vas a +jeerful pitzness und no mistake. It iss der fairst time I +efer knowed it bossiple to pick actor-peoples oudt oof der +drees. Vat you t'ink oof dot, Motor Matt?"</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">THE RED FLIER GETS A LOAD.</p> + + +<p>Motor Matt didn't know what to think. The queerest +lot of people he ever saw were dropping out of the trees +and hurrying toward the automobile.</p> + +<p>First, there was a young woman of seventeen or eighteen, +wearing a dust-coat and gauntlets. There was a +look of intense relief on her pretty face.</p> + +<p>Following her came a tall, slimly built man, whose +clothes suggested the ruffian, but whose face was anything +but vicious. He carried a blacksnake whip.</p> + +<p>A boy trailed after the man. He wasn't a handsome +boy, by any means, but his eyes were bright and sharp +and he had a clever look.</p> + +<p>From the other way along the road came an old darky +in tattered, soggy clothes. A young negro girl hurried +along beside him.</p> + +<p>"Well," breathed Motor Matt, "if this ain't a brain-twister +I don't want a cent. Who are they, Carl? One +of them seems to know you."</p> + +<p>"Sure I knows him," spoke up the boy. "Got wise t' +Carl Pretzel in Denver. 'Pretzel an' Pringle, Musical +Marvels.' W'ere's Pringle, Dutch?"</p> + +<p>"Don't say someding aboudt him," answered Carl. "I +haf scratched him off my visiding-list, yah, you bed you. +Pringle iss some pad eggs, und ve don'd ged along mit +each odder. Matt, dis vas Liddle Efa, who blays mit a +Ungle Dom's Capin Gompany. Ven he geds his leedle +curly-viggies on, he looks fine—schust like some girls, yes. +Who iss der odder peobles, Efa?"</p> + +<p>"Dis is me fader, Dutch," answered the boy; "he's de +guy wot licks Uncle Tom in de show. De loidy is Eliza, +an' say, she's got 'em all skinned w'en it comes t' jumpin' +acrost de river on cakes of ice. Dat's Uncle Tom, +scramblin' into de auto wit'out waitin' f'r an invite, an' de +goil is Topsy."</p> + +<p>"Young man," said Legree, stepping forward and addressing +Motor Matt, "we're what's left of Brisco's Uncle +Tom's Cabin Company. Brisco took all the funds and left +us in the lurch at Brockville, the station west of Ash Fork. +The constable took our tent, and properties, and even the +bloodhounds. We were left with the clothes we stood in, +and that's all. Marks, and St. Clair, and the rest, made a +raise and rode back to Denver in the train. They didn't +have enough to help us out, and so we've started to walk +as far as Flagstaff. When we get there, we're going to +get up some sort of an entertainment and see if we can't +pull down enough hard cash to see us through to Denver. +Brisco owes all of us money. Barrin' the kid, here, +he beat each one of us out of more'n a hundred dollars. +But we're goin' to get him; you see if we don't."</p> + +<p>A grim look came to Legree's face.</p> + +<p>"Veil," said Carl, "be jeerful und don'd vorry. I haf +der same kindt oof pad luck, den I met oop mit Modor +Matt und der luck dook a shange. Meppy yours vill dake +a shange, too."</p> + +<p>"We're going to Albuquerque," spoke up Matt, "and +if you don't mind being crowded we can give you a lift +as far as Flagstaff."</p> + +<p>A long breath of satisfaction broke from Uncle Tom.</p> + +<p>"Dat's fine," said he. "Dis niggah am sholy tuckered. +Why doan' yo'-all git intuh de wagon? Dat beah am +li'ble tuh come snoopin' an' pesterin' back."</p> + +<p>"Pear?" cried Carl. "Vat you say, huh? Iss dere a +pear aroundt here?"</p> + +<p>"Dat's no dream, Dutch," answered the boy. "Wot +did yous t'ink it was chased us up dem trees?"</p> + +<p>"Everythin's been goin' wrong with us ever since we +hit Brockville," said Legree. "A lot more'll happen, too, +but I reckon we're done with the bear. This machine +scared the brute away. How'll you have us in the car, +Motor Matt?"</p> + +<p>"Little Eva, as you call him," said Matt, laughing a +little as he looked at the boy, "had better get in front here +with Carl. That will leave four of you for the tonneau. +It won't be long until we get to Fairview, and we'll stop +there for dinner."</p> + +<p>"Um-yum," said Topsy; "golly, but dat sounds good! +Dinnah! Heah dat, Unc' Tawn?"</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom smacked his lips and rolled up the whites +of his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Doan' say a wo'd, chile," he cautioned. "Dis seems +jess lak er dream, dis ride in de debble-wagon, de dinnah, +en all. Yo' speak too loud, Ah's fearin' Ah's done +gwine tuh woke up."</p> + +<p>With his load of stranded actors aboard, all rejoicing +in the good luck that had brought Matt and Carl along +with the automobile at that particular time, the young +motorist cranked up, threw in the clutch and started. +Hardly were they under good headway when a sharp cry +came from Eliza.</p> + +<p>"Stop! The box! I dropped it when I got up into that +tree."</p> + +<p>Matt stopped the Red Flier.</p> + +<p>"Pox?" cried Carl; "vat iss dot?"</p> + +<p>"Dat's whut got me into de ruvver," said Uncle Tom. +"Ah 'lows dat box is er heap mo' trouble dan hit's worf."</p> + +<p>"If we ever get hold of Brisco," returned Legree, "it'll +be that box that does it for us. Wait here a minute, Motor +Matt, and I'll go back and get it. I think I know +right where it is."</p> + +<p>Legree got out of the car, went back along the road, +and vanished among the bushes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is der money in der pox?" asked Carl.</p> + +<p>"We don't know what's in it," answered Eliza.</p> + +<p>"Dot's keveer. How vill dot pox helup you ged holt +oof Prisco?"</p> + +<p>"Brisco always kept it by him," went on Eliza, "so we +know he thinks it's valuable. He told Legree, once, he +wouldn't lose the box for ten thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"How did you come to get hold of it?" inquired Matt.</p> + +<p>"That's the queer part of it. Brisco left the Brockville +hotel during the night——"</p> + +<p>"An' I picked it up by de door, next mornin'," chimed +in the boy. "Brisco must have dropped it when he made +dat getaway. It was blacker dan a stack o' black cats, +dat night, an' he wasn't able t' use his lamps."</p> + +<p>"When Marks, and Harris, and St. Clair, and the rest +of the company left Brockville," continued Eliza, "they +told us to keep the box and not give it up until Brisco +paid over what he owed. We lost our wages and everything +else we had except the clothes on our backs."</p> + +<p>"Dot's me," spoke up Carl; "I vas fixed der same +vat you are. Den, pympy, Modor Matt come along mit +himseluf, shpoke some jeerful vorts mit me, dook me +for a bard, und luck made a shange. Meppy dot iss how +it vill be mit you."</p> + +<p>"Seems lak he was a long time findin' dat dere box," +said Uncle Tom. "Ah's honin' fo' dat hotel in Fairview, +an' fo' dat dinnah, an' fo' to dry dese clothes. Mistah +Legree is a monstus long time, an' no mistake."</p> + +<p>"Stay here, all of you," said Matt, getting out of the +car. "I'll go back and see if I can help find the box. If +it's so important, it won't do to leave it behind."</p> + +<p>"I'll go 'long wit' yous," chirped the boy.</p> + +<p>Before he could get out of the car, the sharp, incisive +note of a revolver echoed from the bushes at the trail-side, +close to the place where Legree had vanished into +them.</p> + +<p>Eliza stifled a scream.</p> + +<p>"Mah goodness!" fluttered Topsy. "Somebody's done +gone tuh shootin'!"</p> + +<p>"It wasn't dad, dat's a cinch!" cried the boy. "He +didn't have no gun!"</p> + +<p>"Stay there!" called Matt to the boy, as he whirled +and hurried on. "Stand ready to crank up the machine, +Carl," he added, "in case we have to start in a hurry." +Matt had dropped into the troubles of these forlorn +"Uncle Tommers" with bewildering suddenness. He +hadn't had the remotest notion that there was going to +be any violence, or shooting, and the report of the revolver +had sent a thrill of alarm through him.</p> + +<p>Had Brisco been tracking the unfortunate actors, and +had he attempted to make way with the tin box just as +Legree was about to secure it?</p> + +<p>As Matt drew closer to the thicket, he heard sharp +and angry voices. One voice he recognized as belonging +to Legree, and the other struck a strangely familiar note +in his ear. He had heard that voice somewhere before—but +where?</p> + +<p>There were only two voices taking part in the talk, but +the man who had intercepted Legree was armed. Matt +knew it would stand him in hand to be cautious, so, instead +of turning directly from the road into the brush, +he darted for the timber some distance beyond the scene +of the altercation. Then, making his way back warily, he +pushed through the bushes.</p> + +<p>He made very little noise—so little that his approach +was not heard by either of the two men. Legree, however, +was standing in such a position that he could not +help seeing Matt. He was facing the other man, and the +latter had his back to the young motorist.</p> + +<p>There was something familiar about that back, but +even yet Matt could not recall who the man was.</p> + +<p>The fellow was roughly dressed. In his right hand he +was holding a revolver, pointing it squarely at Legree, +and in his left hand he was holding a small tin box.</p> + +<p>"If ye think ye can fool Hank Brisco," the man with +the weapon was saying, "ye're far wide o' yer trail. He's +got a ottermobill, now, what kin shoot through the kentry +like a cannon-ball, an' I reckon thar'll be some Cain +raised on this part o' the range afore many moons. You +take my advice an' hike out o' here without tryin' ter +make Hank any trouble, er——"</p> + +<p>Just at that moment Motor Matt's opportunity came. +Flinging himself forward suddenly, he grabbed the revolver +out of the ruffian's hand.</p> + +<p>"Bully for you, Matt!" cried Legree.</p> + +<p>The next instant Legree's blacksnake whip had curled +itself about the ruffian's left wrist, girdling the skin like +a loop of fire.</p> + +<p>The man roared out an oath. The pain must have +been intense, for his fingers curled away from the box +and he caught his wrist with his other hand.</p> + +<p>Matt stared. When the ruffian had turned and rushed +into the woods, cursing and vowing vengeance, Matt +continued to stare.</p> + +<p>"Ever seen that man before, Matt?" asked Legree, +surprised at the boy's manner.</p> + +<p>"I should say so!" exclaimed Matt. "Let's get back +to the car. You've got back the box, but we haven't +seen the last of this—not by a long shot."</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">THE STOLEN RUNABOUT.</p> + + +<p>Shouts of relief went up from those in the Red Flier +at sight of Matt and Legree sprinting down the road, +Legree with the box and Matt with the revolver.</p> + +<p>"Hoop-a-la!" jubilated Carl; "be jeerful, eferypody. +Here dey come alretty, und mit more as dey vent to +ged!"</p> + +<p>"Fo' de lan' sake!" chattered Topsy; "Ah sholy expected +some one had done been kilt."</p> + +<p>"Git right in de kyah," urged Uncle Tom, "so we kin +git erway f'om dis hyeh place. Beahs, en robbahs, en +oddah spontaneous excitements is monstus tryin' to er +niggah wif er empty stummick. Ah doan' lak shootin' +nohow."</p> + +<p>"Was dat some guy t'rowin' a bullet at yous, dad?" +inquired Little Eva. "How close did he come t' ringin' +de bell?"</p> + +<p>"How many were there?" cried Eliza; "are they following +us?"</p> + +<p>Matt jumped into his seat, and Legree scrambled for +the tonneau.</p> + +<p>"Take this, Legree," called Matt, and dropped the revolver +over the back of the seat.</p> + +<p>Carl, who had been posted at the front of the machine, +had already "turned over" the engine. As she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +took the spark Carl crawled to his place beside Matt, and +the Red Flier glided away.</p> + +<p>The young motorist was silent for a while, listening +as Legree told how he had gone searching for the box +and found it in the hands of a scoundrel whom he had +never seen before. The Unknown had fired a revolver, +but it had been more to intimidate Legree and keep him +at a distance, for the bullet had not come anywhere near +him. Legree finished with an account of how Matt +had come up behind the ruffian and had saved the +day.</p> + +<p>"Dot's der vay Modor Matt does pitzness," said the +admiring Carl. "You bed my life he vas some virlvinds +ven he leds himseluf oudt."</p> + +<p>"The name of the man who ran off and left your +company stranded was Hank Brisco, was it?" asked +Matt.</p> + +<p>"That was his name, Matt," replied Legree. "But who +was that tough-looking citizen that had me cornered, +there in the thicket?"</p> + +<p>"I'll have to tell you something that happened to Carl +and me, a few days ago, in order for you to understand +that part of it," answered Matt. "This touring-car belongs +to Mr. James Q. Tomlinson, a wholesale jeweler +who lives in Denver. He and his driver, Gregory, have +been touring the Southwest in it. A gang of thieves, +among whom was a fellow called Hank, and another +called Spangler, robbed Mr. Tomlinson on the trail, several +miles west of Ash Fork. Carl and I got mixed up +in the trouble, and we had some exciting times racing the +Red Flier against a high-powered runabout that the +thieves stole from a wealthy cattleman named Lem Nugent.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tomlinson recovered his stolen property and +went on to Albuquerque with his driver, Gregory, hiring +me to take the touring-car from Ash Fork to Albuquerque. +That's how we happened to come along in time to help +you out, Mr. Legree."</p> + +<p>"If this man, Tomlinson, got back his stolen property," +asked Legree, "what became of the thieves?"</p> + +<p>"Two of them, Hank and Spangler, got away with the +cattleman's car. The stolen runabout can go like a blue +streak, and is lighter and faster than the Red Flier. +Now, the man that tried to get the tin box, back there +in the thicket, was none other than Spangler; and the +other villain, who was called by the name of 'Hank,' was +the fellow who left you in the lurch at Brockville."</p> + +<p>"Shiminy grickets, how t'ings vill turn oudt mit demselufs, +vonce und again!" clamored Carl. "Domlinson +vould like more as he can dell to haf dose fellers ketched, +and Nuchent vants pooty pad dot he geds his car pack +some more. He vill gif fife huntert tollars to any vone +vat vill findt der car, und he vill gif fife huntert more for +Hank, und der same for Spangler." Carl leaned toward +Matt with his eyes almost popping from his head. "Bard," +he asked, "can ve scoop it in?"</p> + +<p>"I'd like to get back that runabout for Mr. Nugent," +said Matt, "but I don't know as we ought to take the +time to go fooling along on our way to Albuquerque."</p> + +<p>"Vell, Misder Domlinson say dot dere vasn't any +hurry."</p> + +<p>"He also said," continued Matt, "that he wouldn't trust +this car with everybody. If we should get to tearing +around after Hank and Spangler, and damage the Flier, +we would find ourselves in a hole."</p> + +<p>"You hadn't better bother trying to take us to Flagstaff, +then," put in Legree, "for as long as we've got +this tin box Brisco is going to keep on trying to get hold +of it. If he chases us with that stolen runabout, which +you say is a faster car than the Red Flier, you're goin' +to run some risks with this machine."</p> + +<p>"If we work it right," said Matt, "I guess we can get +you people to Flagstaff without being bothered much by +Hank and Spangler. It's queer, though, to have it turn +out that those two scoundrels are mixed up in these +troubles of yours."</p> + +<p>"Ah's done had trouble enough," wailed Uncle Tom, +"en Ah doan' know how Ah could stand any mo'. Ah's +er pretty ole niggah tuh go traipsin' erroun' afteh robbahs, +en drappin' intuh rivvers, an' climbin' trees tuh +sabe my hide from beahs. All de same, Ah 'lows some +ob dat money fo' ketchin' dat 'ar Brisco would come +mouty handy. But Mistah Legree, yo' listen hyeh. If +Brisco sets sich er pow'ful store by dat 'ar box, mebby +he'd buy hit offen de lot ob us, payin' us whut he owes +jess tuh git holt ob hit. Why not, sah, entah intuh prognostications +wif him wif de view ob settlin' ouah compunctions +in er pleasin' manner?"</p> + +<p>A shadow of a grin wreathed itself around Legree's +lips.</p> + +<p>"Well, Uncle Tom," he answered, "it's hard to prognosticate +with a chap who's so hard to find as Brisco is."</p> + +<p>"Vere vas Hank vile Spangler vas looking for der pox, +Matt?" asked Carl.</p> + +<p>"That's a conundrum, Carl."</p> + +<p>"Und vere vas der runaboudt?"</p> + +<p>"Another conundrum."</p> + +<p>"Vell, ditn't Spangler ride to der blace vere he come +for der din pox in der runaboudt?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't see anything of the machine, but I was afraid +it was somewhere around—which is the reason I was in +such a hurry to make a fresh start for Fairview."</p> + +<p>"Ve don'd vas shased py der runaboudt, anyvay, und +dot means dot it vasn't some blace around vere Spangler +vas."</p> + +<p>"Chee!" came from Little Eva, as he pointed ahead. +"Dere's de burg wot we're headin' fer. I'm a jay if it +don't look almost big enough fer two 'r t'ree people t' +live in."</p> + +<p>From the rising ground on which the Red Flier and +its passengers found themselves, at that moment, Fairview +could be fairly viewed. Perhaps there were twenty-five +or thirty houses in the place, the main street being +bordered by half a dozen stores.</p> + +<p>"Doan' yo' go an' tell me dar ain't no hotel," faltered +Uncle Tom.</p> + +<p>"No matter how small a town is, Uncle Tom," returned +Eliza, "travelers can always find a place to stay. Our +hardest work will be, I think, to discover some one who +will lend money on our jewelry."</p> + +<p>"I'll furnish the jewelry, Eliza," said Legree. "This +watch of mine is worth enough, I think, to furnish us +with food and lodging while Motor Matt gives us a lift +to Flagstaff."</p> + +<p>"If you're out of cash," spoke up Matt, in his usual +generous style, "I'll foot the bills. Some time, when you +get on Easy Street, you can pay me back."</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom's anxiety over the prospect fell from him +like a wet blanket.</p> + +<p>"Yo's a gemman, Mistah Motah Matt," he declared, +"yo' is what Ah calls a puffick gemman. Ah'm mos'ly +independent in dese money mattahs—dis is de fust time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +since Ah can remembah dat Ah habn't had all ob two +dollars in mah clo's—so hit is mouty spognoocious tuh +mah pride, sah, to be fo'ced tuh accept a loan. Still, +sah, Ah brings mahse'f to hit bekase yo' is so willin' +an' so spendacious. In retu'n fo' dat, Mistah Motah +Matt, Ah becomes on de spot yo' official mascot. Yassuh. +Ah takes yo' luck en mah own han's, an' evah time +what yo' do anyt'ing, Ah agrees tuh make yo' a winnah."</p> + +<p>"Much obliged, Uncle Tom," laughed Matt.</p> + +<p>"Go on wif yo'!" cried Topsy. "Why didun' yo' mascot +dat 'ar company so dat Brisco couldn't do lak what +he done? Mascot! Yah, yah, yah!"</p> + +<p>"Laff," returned Uncle Tom tartly, "laff an' show yo' +ignunce! What yo' unnerstan' about luckosophy an' +mascots? Yo' mouty triflin' an' tryin', dat's what yo' is. +Wait twell yo' see what Ah does fo' Motah Matt."</p> + +<p>During this talk, the Red Flier had glided down a long +slope into the little town. It did not take long to traverse +the main street, and as they jogged onward all eyes +looked carefully for a hotel.</p> + +<p>Finally they saw a sign with a picture of something +that looked like a four-leaved clover. Under the picture +were the printed words, "Shamrock House."</p> + +<p>"Dat 'ar fo'-leaved clovah means luck," averred Uncle +Tom.</p> + +<p>"It's supposed to be a shamrock, Uncle Tom," said +Eliza, "and not a clover-leaf."</p> + +<p>"Ah knows dat," went on Uncle Tom, "but hit sho' +means luck. Ah done got de feelin'."</p> + +<p>Motor Matt and Carl Pretzel "got the feeling," too, for +around at one side of the hotel they saw another automobile. +There was no one around the car. Carl nearly +dropped off his seat.</p> + +<p>"Vas I plind mit meinseluf," he whispered, "or iss it +der real t'ing vat I see? Matt, dere iss der shtolen runaboudt, +mit nopody aroundt! Fife huntert tollars saying +it righdt oudt loud, 'Come, oh, come, somepody und pick +me oop!'"</p> + +<p>Matt was astounded; yet there was not the least doubt +about the runabout being the same car that had been +stolen.</p> + +<p>"Is that the automobile Brisco ran away with?" demanded +Legree, leaping energetically out of the tonneau. +"That's the one!" declared Matt.</p> + +<p>"Then come with me, Matt, you and Carl," said Legree, +starting for the hotel door. "Keep behind, though. I'm +armed, now, and can meet Brisco in his own way if he +shows fight."</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">THE COAT IN THE RUMBLE.</p> + + +<p>Matt, while following Legree toward the front of the +hotel, was doing some quick thinking to account for this +surprising discovery of the runabout.</p> + +<p>Very likely Brisco and Spangler were planning to recover +the tin box. It must have been these plans that +had brought them eastward from the vicinity of Ash Fork.</p> + +<p>Spangler had been dropped on the road to intercept the +stranded players and get the box, while Brisco had come +recklessly into Fairview. Possibly Brisco had been compelled +to come into town after gasoline and oil.</p> + +<p>"Ah doan' want tuh be erroun' if dar's goin' tuh be +any shootin'," palpitated Uncle Tom, rolling out of the +tonneau with more haste than grace. "Ah used tuh be +a reg'lar fire-eatah, en mah youngah days, but Ah dun +kinder got ovah hit. Topsy, yo' an' Miss 'Liza come right +along wif me, dis instinct. We'll go off whah dar's er +safe place fo' me tuh do mah mascottin' fo' Motah Matt."</p> + +<p>Eliza and Topsy hurriedly descended from the car. +Little Eva was already on the ground, but instead of +going around the hotel with Eliza, Topsy, and Uncle +Tom, he strolled over to the runabout. In their excitement, +the others did not miss the boy.</p> + +<p>There were two windows in the hotel office—one in +the front wall, a dozen feet from the door, and one just +around the corner in the side wall. The window in the +side wall overlooked the runabout.</p> + +<p>Matt, doing some quick figuring, jumped at the conclusion +that Brisco, taken by surprise by Legree, would +make a bolt through one of the windows, both of which +were open.</p> + +<p>Close to the front window an eave-spout entered a +rain-water barrel. Matt did not believe Brisco, if he +tried to escape by a window, would come out at the front, +but at the side, where he would be nearer the runabout. +With this idea in mind, Matt placed Carl behind the +water-barrel, while he went around the corner.</p> + +<p>Through the window on that side the young motorist +stole a cautious look.</p> + +<p>Two men were leaning over a counter in the office. +One was plainly an Irishman, and the proprietor of the +place, and the other was as plainly Hank Brisco. Matt +knew Brisco too well to be mistaken in him. Neither +Brisco nor the Irish proprietor had heard the approach +of the Red Flier, nor the entrance of Legree into the +office.</p> + +<p>With a grim smile on his face, and the revolver in his +hand, Legree was leaning against the wall, just inside +the door, waiting for Brisco to turn around.</p> + +<p>"Begorry," the proprietor was saying, "fifty cints a +gallon f'r th' gasoline is all I'm afther chargin' yez. Oi +know av robbers around here who'd be chargin' yez a +dollar a gallon, but that's not the way wid Terence +O'Grady. Fifty cints is th' most Oi'll take from yez. +Fifteen gallons at fifty cints is sivin-fifty; then wan +dollar f'r oil makes eight-fifty. Eight-fifty from tin laves +wan an a half, an' there yez are. Will yez shtay f'r dinner? +Faith, we've as foine a male t'day as yez iver put +tooth in, an' a dollar is all ut will cost yez."</p> + +<p>"I reckon I'll stay, O'Grady," replied Brisco, picking +his change off the counter and sliding it into his pocket.</p> + +<p>Then he turned, and met the leveled weapon of Legree. +Brisco's astonishment was ludicrous to behold. And +O'Grady was fully as startled.</p> + +<p>"Phat th' blazes d'yez mean by thot?" and O'Grady +jumped over the counter and stood glaring at Legree.</p> + +<p>"I'll explain," said Legree, with a coolness that filled +Matt with admiration, "but while I'm talking, O'Grady, +don't get between the point of this weapon and that man, +there."</p> + +<p>"Is ut a hould-up?" demanded O'Grady.</p> + +<p>"Not at all. The man behind you knows me, and he +knows that he owes me a hundred and twenty dollars."</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything of the kind," replied Brisco, +every whit as cool as Legree. "You've made a mistake, +my man; and, besides, even if I did owe you money, +you're trying to collect it in the wrong way."</p> + +<p>"Roight yez are!" put in O'Grady. "Shtick thot pisthol<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +in yer pocket an' go off wid yez. This is a dacint, rayspectible +hotel, an' guns ain't allowed in th' place at all, +at all. Av yez don't hike, begorry, Oi'll call in th' town +marshal."</p> + +<p>"Call the marshal," said Legree; "he's the man I'd like +to have here. That fellow who just bought gasoline and +oil at this place is one of the gang who robbed Tomlinson, +the Denver jeweler, over west of Ash Fork, and stole +the automobile belonging to Nugent, the cattleman——"</p> + +<p>Brisco began to laugh.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of that, O'Grady?" he cried. +"Why, that car you just helped me fill with gasoline is +Tomlinson's car! I'm taking it east for him. Who this +man is, or what game he's trying to play, is more than I +know."</p> + +<p>Brisco was edging around toward the side window.</p> + +<p>"Look out, Mr. Legree!" called Matt, through the +opening. "He's trying to get where he can drop out +here."</p> + +<p>Matt's words caused Brisco and O'Grady to swerve +their glances in his direction. A glint darted into Brisco's +eyes at sight of Matt. Hank Brisco had good reason to +remember the young motorist.</p> + +<p>"This looks like a put-up job, O'Grady," said Brisco, +still keeping the whip-hand of himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, begob," cried O'Grady, "no pack av blackguards +can come into th' Shamrock Hotel an' shtir up throuble +f'r me customers. Clear out av here," he added, brandishing +his fists, "or Oi'll be afther gittin' busy wid me +hands."</p> + +<p>"Is that man the one who helped rob Tomlinson, Matt?" +asked Legree, nodding his head toward Brisco.</p> + +<p>"He's the one," answered Matt. "I'd know him anywhere. +Don't let him——"</p> + +<p>Just at that moment, O'Grady, wofully deceived, but +thinking he was doing exactly what was right, kicked a +chair at Legree.</p> + +<p>The chair struck Legree's shins with a force that hurled +him back against the wall.</p> + +<p>"Now, then," roared O'Grady to Brisco, "make a run +av it! Oi'll take care av this boonch av meddlers!"</p> + +<p>With that, he hurled himself upon Legree and the two +began to struggle, falling over the chair and dropping +heavily on the floor.</p> + +<p>They were directly across the doorway, and Brisco +sprang for the front window and pushed himself through +it.</p> + +<p>"Shtop a leedle!" whooped Carl, dodging around the +rain-water barrel; "you don'd got avay so easy as dot, +und—— Himmelblitzen!"</p> + +<p>Brisco had grabbed the barrel. That happened to be +the dry season and the barrel was empty. Giving it a +whirl, he threw it against the Dutch boy with a force +that took him off his feet.</p> + +<p>Thrashing his arms wildly, Carl laid himself down on +the rolling barrel and went caroming off toward the road.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Matt, seeing that Brisco was making for the +window guarded by Carl, had rushed around to the front +of the hotel. He reached the scene of the scrimmage just +in time to be grabbed by O'Grady.</p> + +<p>The racket in the office had brought O'Grady's Chinese +cook from the kitchen; and, while the Chinaman continued +the tussle with Legree, the proprietor of the hotel +had rushed out to see what more he could do for the man +who had paid him so well for gasoline and oil.</p> + +<p>"Oi've got yez, yez meddlin' omadhoun!" shouted +O'Grady. "Oi'll tach yez t' come interferin' wid dacint +people!"</p> + +<p>With that he flung his arms around Motor Matt and +hung to him with all his strength.</p> + +<p>"Hang onto him, O'Grady!" cried Brisco, dashing for +the runabout.</p> + +<p>"Niver yez fret!" panted the Irishman reassuringly; +"good-by t' yez. Next toime yez come we'll give yez +betther treatment; there won't be so many hoodlums +around t'——"</p> + +<p>"Let go!" shouted Matt. Then, suddenly freeing his +hands, he struck the deluded Irishman a quick blow.</p> + +<p>O'Grady's hands relaxed for an instant. That instant +gave Motor Matt his opportunity, and he tore himself +free.</p> + +<p>About the same moment, Legree, hatless, angry, and +chagrined, came running out of the office.</p> + +<p>"Where's Brisco?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>Just then the question was answered by Brisco himself. +The runabout, leaping around the corner of the +hotel, shot toward the road, a mocking laugh from Brisco +trailing out behind.</p> + +<p>"Not this time, Legree!" called Brisco, over his shoulder. +"Look out for me, from now on—you and Motor +Matt!"</p> + +<p>The runabout was headed westward. In the rumble +behind, lying partly over the rumble-seat, was a dust-coat. +It undoubtedly belonged to Brisco, and he must +have thrown it aside while attending to the automobile, +a few minutes before.</p> + +<p>While Motor Matt and Legree stood staring at the +receding car, the coat lifted a little and a hand was waved.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" cried Matt; "it's that boy."</p> + +<p>Legree, far from showing any consternation, leaned +against the wall of the building and laughed softly.</p> + +<p>Matt was amazed.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you, Legree?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I'm just enjoying a situation that has a bad outlook +for Brisco," was Legree's queer answer.</p> + +<p>"It has a bad outlook for the boy, too," said Matt.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about Little Eva. I know him better +than you do, and he'll take care of himself."</p> + +<p>At this moment the Chinaman came out of the hotel +office and handed the revolver to O'Grady.</p> + +<p>"Oi've had about all Oi want av this rough-house!" +shouted O'Grady, his temper badly warped by the disturbance +and the blow Matt had dealt him. "Yez will shtay +roight here, bedad, until Oi can have th' Chink go afther +th' town marshal. Go f'r Jennings, Ping," he added, +flourishing the weapon in the faces of Matt and Legree, +"an hustle. We'll make this slab-soided roosther laugh +on t'other soide av his face befure we're done wid him."</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">MATT BEGINS A SEARCH.</p> + + +<p>Carl, having untangled himself from the barrel, brushed +off his clothes and rubbed his sore spots, came bristling +up to O'Grady.</p> + +<p>"You vas grazy," he cried, "so grazy as I don'd know. +Oof you hatn't fooled mit us, t'ings vould haf peen tifferent. +Ve lose vone t'ousant tollars py vat you do!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +Yah, so helup me! Pud avay der gun und ged reasonaple."</p> + +<p>"Huccome dat 'ar resolver change han's lak what Ah +see?" inquired Uncle Tom, stepping gingerly around the +corner of the hotel. "Didun' Ah do yo no good, mascottin' +fo' yo', Motah Matt?"</p> + +<p>Eliza and Topsy followed Uncle Tom, peering about +them excitedly and evidently expecting to find Brisco a +prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Something went crossways, Uncle Tom," said Matt. +"Brisco got away, and he took the stolen car with him. +Mr. O'Grady, here, the proprietor of the hotel, didn't +understand the case and helped the wrong side."</p> + +<p>By that time O'Grady was himself beginning to think +that he had made a mistake. The sight of the big red +touring-car, and of the odd assortment of passengers +who had arrived in it, afforded him food for thought. +So he was thinking, lowering the revolver meanwhile +and grabbing Ping, the Chinaman, by the queue to keep +him from going after the marshal.</p> + +<p>"Where did th' lot av yez come from?" O'Grady finally +inquired.</p> + +<p>"Ash Fork," replied Legree.</p> + +<p>"Them colored folks come wid yez?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, mebby Oi did make a bobble, Oi dunno. Tell +me something more about ut."</p> + +<p>Briefly as he could, Legree told of the robbery of Mr. +Tomlinson and of the stealing of the cattleman's car, +then wound up the recital by describing how Brisco had +run off and left his theatrical company, and how Motor +Matt had picked up those who were tramping along the +road and was giving them a lift as far as Flagstaff.</p> + +<p>O'Grady seemed to take more stock in Motor Matt than +in any of the others. He watched the boy out of the tails +of his eyes while listening to Legree.</p> + +<p>"Faith," said he, "yez are a har-r-d hitter, me lad. +Oi'm feelin' th' rap yez give me this minyit, an' me jaw'll +be lame f'r a wake; but sure Oi desarved ut av so be Oi'm +raysponsible f'r th' mon gittin' away. A good custhomer +he was, an' Oi make ut a rule t' trate good custhomers +wid ivery consideration. Oi supplied him wid gasoline +out av me private barrel, an' sint th' Chinee f'r oil which +Oi let him have at double th' proice Oi paid f'r ut. By +th' same token, Oi felt loike tratin' th' mon white, d'yez +see? Now, av yez won't say annythin' more about th' +fracas, sure Oi won't, an' we'll let bygones be bygones. +Was yez all thinkin' av takin' dinner at th' Shamrock?"</p> + +<p>"Dat 'ar was de notion we had, boss," spoke up Uncle +Tom eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Then, begorry, Oi'll make yez a special rate av sivin +dollars f'r th' six av yez."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you three," said Matt.</p> + +<p>"T'ree ut is," was the prompt rejoinder. "Th' ladies +can go t' th' parlor, an' th' gintlemen will foind a wash-bench +by th' kitchen dure. Hurry up wid th' meal, Ping," +the proprietor added to the Chinaman.</p> + +<p>O'Grady handed the revolver to Legree, excused himself +and went into the hotel.</p> + +<p>"It don't take him long to forget the trouble he made +us," remarked Legree, with a wink. "He's wise, too, in +being willing to overlook the matter if we are."</p> + +<p>Motor Matt couldn't understand Legree. He didn't +appear to be worried in the least about the boy; on the +contrary, he seemed pleased with the situation.</p> + +<p>"Where's the kid?" inquired Eliza.</p> + +<p>"He went away with Brisco," replied Legree.</p> + +<p>Startled exclamations came from Eliza, Uncle Tom, and +Topsy.</p> + +<p>"Don't fret about him," went on Legree, with a calm +confidence that was too deep for Matt, "for he'll come +back. I'll have to stay here and wait for him, of course, +and if Matt feels as though he has to pull out for Flagstaff +before the kid gets here, why, we'll have to come +along the best we can."</p> + +<p>"The boy's in danger," said Matt, "and I'm not going +to leave Fairview until I try to do something for him."</p> + +<p>"Don't go to any trouble, Matt," returned Legree, "for +I tell you again the kid's able to look out for himself. +This work of his may result in the capture of Brisco and +the recovery of the stolen car. After we eat, I'm going +to find a cot, lie down, and take a snooze. I've got that +coming to me, I think, considering what I've been through +to-day. Let's hunt up that wash-bench and get ready for +dinner."</p> + +<p>Matt was in a quandary. He knew, by his own experience, +that Brisco was a desperate man, and Legree's +firm conviction that the boy would keep out of trouble +looked like the craziest kind of misjudgment.</p> + +<p>Following the dinner, to which they all did ample justice, +Uncle Tom curled up on a door-step in the sun, Legree +found a hammock in the shade, and Eliza and Topsy +disappeared inside the hotel. Matt led Carl off to the +Red Flier.</p> + +<p>"It's a queer layout, Carl," said Matt, nodding his +head in the direction of the hotel. "Hasn't it struck you +that way?"</p> + +<p>"Vell," returned Carl, running his fingers reflectively +through his mat of tow-colored hair, "I vas making some +reflections on der soobjeck. Leedle Efa don't seem to +cut mooch ice mit Legree, hey? Or meppy he cut a whole +lot dot ve don'd know aboudt."</p> + +<p>"You knew the boy in Denver?" went on Matt.</p> + +<p>"Yah, aber I forged vat his name vas, or vat he dit. +Und I ditn't know vedder he hat a fader."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't think we ought to go on to Flagstaff +until we find out something as to what becomes of the +boy."</p> + +<p>"Me, neider; aber how ve find oudt, hey?"</p> + +<p>"We'll take the Flier and see if we can't track the runabout."</p> + +<p>"Und oof ve come too close py der runaboudt, den +vat?"</p> + +<p>"We'll take some old bottles along. If the runabout +shows up and tries to chase us, we'll make a run of it +and smash the bottles in the road behind us."</p> + +<p>Carl chuckled. That was an expedient to which Motor +Matt had already had recourse—and with brilliant success.</p> + +<p>"Pully! I vill go findt der pottles, Matt, vile you ged +der macheen retty."</p> + +<p>Carl went off toward a junk-pile back of the wood-shed. +By the time Matt had made the Red Flier ready, +Carl was back with an armful of bottles.</p> + +<p>"Ve vas on der high gear dis drip, you bed you," observed +Carl, dumping the bottles into the tonneau. "I +like dose oxcidements, yah, so. It vas goot for der nerfs +und makes a fellow jeerful like nodding."</p> + +<p>As they got into the car, ready for the start, Eliza came +hurrying out of the hotel. She carried the box in her +hand and made straight for the automobile.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Matt?" she asked breathlessly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We're not intending to run off and leave you," Matt +laughed. "We want to see if we can't find out something +about Little Eva, as you call him. It don't seem right +to let the boy be carried off like this and not try to do +something to help him."</p> + +<p>"He's a queer kid," said Eliza thoughtfully. "He and +Legree were only with the company about two months, +and they both had a queer way about them, sometimes. +But if Legree isn't worried I don't know why we ought +to be."</p> + +<p>"I don't know, either," said Matt, "but I am, all the +same. Carl and I are going to see if we can't follow the +trail of the runabout for a ways. I don't think we'll be +gone more than an hour or two."</p> + +<p>"May I go along?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, if you want to; but hadn't you better leave +that box here?"</p> + +<p>"Legree told me to keep it by me all the time," answered +the girl.</p> + +<p>"Probably he didn't intend for you to take it out into +the hills. Well, never mind. If it's so mighty valuable +I guess Legree would be taking care of it himself. Jump +in, Eliza."</p> + +<p>The girl climbed into the tonneau, and Carl closed the +door. Matt started at low speed, getting into the road +at the same place where Brisco had driven the runabout. +The trail of the broad wheels was well defined in the +dust, and led along the course followed by the Red Flier +in coming into town.</p> + +<p>"Prisco vent oudt like ve come in," said Carl. "I'm +vonderin' in my mindt oof he vent pack py Ash Fork?"</p> + +<p>"Give it up, Carl," answered Matt. "I don't know +where he went. There's a whole lot about this business +that's the rankest kind of guesswork."</p> + +<p>"Sure! Liddle Efa vas foolish mit himseluf for gedding +indo der car; und he vas foolish some more for +shtaying der car in ven he mighdt chump it off. Aber +meppy he hat his reasons, hey?"</p> + +<p>"He must have had a reason for doing such a reckless +thing, but he don't know Brisco so well as we do."</p> + +<p>"He ought to, Matt," spoke up Eliza; "he was with +the company for two months."</p> + +<p>"At that time," Matt answered, "Brisco had the best +part of his character uppermost. Carl and I have seen +the worst side of him, and he's the biggest scoundrel out +of jail."</p> + +<p>"Vorse as dot!" averred Carl.</p> + +<p>The tracks of the car led up the slope, out of the valley +that contained the town, and on along the Ash Fork +road.</p> + +<p>Matt held the Flier down to an easy pace. For several +miles the little party had a pleasant ride, without any +excitement whatever. But there was plenty of excitement +in store, and when it arrived it came suddenly.</p> + +<p>A turn in the wooded road brought those in the car +abruptly into a long, straightaway stretch. The instant +they were able to look along the trail beyond the turn, a +thrill shot through the nerves of all of them.</p> + +<p>Three mounted men were coming toward the car at a +tearing clip. Evidently they had heard the pounding of +the motor and had put their horses to top speed.</p> + +<p>"Prisco!" shouted Carl; "und dere iss Spangler, too. +Durn aroundt, Matt! Durn aroundt so kevick as der +nation vill let you! Shiminy grickets, aber dis vas sutten!"</p> + +<p>Motor Matt had recognized two of the riders as Brisco +and Spangler, even before Carl had given his frightened +yell.</p> + +<p>Where had Brisco exchanged his seat in the runabout +to the saddle of the horse? And why had he changed, +and where had he left the car?</p> + +<p>All this darted through the young motorist's mind as +he halted the Flier, reversed, and began backing to make +the turn.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">LOSING THE BOX.</p> + + +<p>Matt had not dreamed of being pursued by horsemen. +The Red Flier would have no difficulty in running away +from anything on hoofs, and certainly she could leave +these three riders behind providing she could turn and +get under headway before being overhauled.</p> + +<p>Brisco, Spangler, and the other man were dangerously +close before Matt got the Red Flier turned the other +way. Just back from the bend there was a grassy hill, +along the foot of which the road ran smoothly. It was +an excellent place for speed, and Matt jumped from first +to second, and from second to third with masterful quickness, +considering the fact that he had to be careful about +stripping the gear.</p> + +<p>As the car leaped away, like a spirited horse under the +spur, Brisco was alongside the tonneau. A scream from +Eliza called the attention of both boys. Matt, of course, +was busy with his driving and could not turn to see what +was the matter. Carl, however, got on his knees in his +seat, face to the rear. What he saw brought an angry +shout from his lips.</p> + +<p>Brisco, leaning from his saddle, was reaching over the +side of the tonneau. He had caught hold of the tin +box, and Eliza, hanging to it with both hands, was +struggling to keep him from securing it.</p> + +<p>"Leaf dot alone!" yelled Carl, floundering to get to +the girl's aid; "dot pelongs to Modor Matt!"</p> + +<p>Carl was excited, but it wasn't excitement alone that +caused him to say the box belonged to Matt. He knew +Brisco was after a box he had once owned himself, and +Carl had a hazy idea that if he said the box belonged to +Matt it might be left alone.</p> + +<p>The gathering speed of the car carried it away from +Brisco; and, as Brisco's one hand was stronger than +the girl's two, the box remained with him.</p> + +<p>Carl got into the tonneau, head over heels and with a +crash like the breaking of a dozen windows—for he fell +into the heap of useless bottles. When he picked himself +up, the three riders, with jeering laughs, had pointed their +horses the other way.</p> + +<p>"It's gone, Matt!" cried the girl wildly; "the box is +gone! Brisco snatched it out of my hands!"</p> + +<p>"Vat a luck it iss!" growled Carl, holding one hand to +his face, where it had been cut by a piece of glass. "I +got pack here so kevick as I couldt, Miss Eliza, aber dot +Prisco feller was kevicker as me. Donnervetter! Matt, +ve come oudt to look for dot poy und ve lose der pox! +Dot vill be some nice t'ings to dell Legree."</p> + +<p>"Oh," cried the girl, half-crying; "I shouldn't have +come! Even if it was all right for me to come I ought +to have left the box at the hotel. Now we'll never be +able to get our money from Brisco!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<p>Matt slowed down the car and took a look rearward. +The three men were out of sight beyond the turn.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about it, Eliza," said Matt. "If any one +is to blame, I'm the one. There's something queer about +that tin box. If it's so valuable, why didn't Legree take +care of it himself? Why did he trust it to you?"</p> + +<p>"Before I had it," returned the girl, "Uncle Tom was +carrying it. He lost it in the river, and had to jump +in after it."</p> + +<p>"More carelessness on Legree's part! Uncle Tom, as +I figure it, is about the most irresponsible member of your +party, and yet Legree allowed him to carry a box which, +Brisco had said, was worth ten thousand dollars. It don't +look reasonable to me."</p> + +<p>"Dot's vat it don'd!" exclaimed Carl. "Aber Prisco +vanted dot pox pooty pad to go afder it like vat he dit. +Meppy it vas vort' a lod to him, und nodding to Legree +and der rest oof der parn-shtormers."</p> + +<p>"Just because it <i>was</i> valuable to Brisco is the very +reason I should have been more careful with it," went +on the girl. "We might have made him pay us what he +owed us, and then we could all have gone back to Denver. +Now—now——"</p> + +<p>The girl began to cry.</p> + +<p>"Say," wheedled Carl, "I vouldn't do dot. You don'd +helup nodding novay oof you cry. Don'd fret aboudt der +olt pox. Matt und me vill gif you der money to go py +Tenver. Jeer oop a liddle."</p> + +<p>"Take my word for it, Eliza," said Matt, as the girl +lifted her head and got better control of her feelings, +"that box isn't worth a whole lot or Legree wouldn't +have taken chances with it like he did. I'm sorry Brisco +got away with it, of course, and I'm going to hurry back +to Fairview and do something I ought to have done before—and +that is, find an officer and put him on Brisco's +track."</p> + +<p>"Dot von't amoundt to nodding, Matt," said Carl, climbing +back into the front seat. "Prisco vill ged off der +horse und indo der runaboudt und der officer mighdt +as vell dry to ketch some shtreaks oof greased lighdning."</p> + +<p>"It may be, Carl," speculated Matt, "that the runabout +has broken down. I don't believe Brisco and Spangler +would be able to fix the machine if anything very serious +got the matter with it. Perhaps they had to leave the +car and take to horses."</p> + +<p>"Vat's deir game, anyvay? Dot's vat I vant to know. +Oof deir game vas to ged der pox, den it vas all ofer, +und ve don'd haf nodding to do mit Brisco und Spangler +some more. Py shinks! Dot knocks us oudt oof a +t'ousand tollars, Matt."</p> + +<p>"All Legree was keeping the box for," quavered the +girl, "was so that Brisco would follow us and try to get +it. That would give us a chance to make Brisco pay what +he owed us."</p> + +<p>"Legree ought to have hung onto the box himself," +insisted Matt.</p> + +<p>"Prisco iss too schlick for Legree," asserted Carl.</p> + +<p>"I wish I understood what Brisco and Legree are up +to," muttered Matt. "There's more to this than appears +on the surface."</p> + +<p>"Yah, I bed you," agreed Carl, wagging his head. "Oof +I knew as mooch as I vould like, den I vould tell you all +aboudt it, vich I don'd. Den dere iss Efa. His monkey-doodle +pitzness makes der t'ing vorse."</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour later the Red Flier drew up in +its old berth alongside the hotel. Eliza got out and ran +hurriedly to tell Legree what had happened to the tin +box.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry for Eliza," said Matt, climbing slowly over +the brakes as he got out of the car. "She's a nice girl, +and it's too bad she has to feel all cut up over the way +the box was taken from her. I've got a notion that +Legree is fooling them all—and you and me into the +bargain, Carl."</p> + +<p>"How you t'ink so, Matt?" asked Carl, opening his eyes +wide.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how he's doing it, or why he's doing it, +but it's just a hunch I've got."</p> + +<p>"How long ve going to shtay here?"</p> + +<p>"I don't want to pull out until we learn something +more about this business. There are parts of it that have +a crooked look to me."</p> + +<p>At that moment Legree issued from the hotel. He +did not act at all excited, although he must certainly +have learned from Eliza what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Eliza's been telling me what a time you've had," said +he. "The principal thing is that Brisco has left the car +and got onto a horse. I was surprised to hear that. I +can't imagine why a rascal, who's as badly wanted as he +is, should leave a swift automobile and take to horseback."</p> + +<p>"I should think, Mr. Legree," remarked Matt, "that +you would be more interested in the loss of that box than +in anything else."</p> + +<p>"Not at all. In fact, I haven't thought so much of +that box since the lot of us left Ash Fork. It was a good +thing to hang onto, but it wasn't so terribly important. +I've told Eliza not to feel bad over what happened. I'd +feel worse myself if the kid hadn't got away in that +runabout, like he did."</p> + +<p>All that Legree said merely made the whole situation +darker for Matt. And for Carl, too. The Dutch boy +stood blinking at Legree, and running his fingers through +the tangle of tow he called his hair.</p> + +<p>"You were keeping the box in the hope that Brisco +would came after it and give you a chance at him, +weren't you?" demanded Matt.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Legree.</p> + +<p>"Well, now that Brisco has got the box you can't expect +him to come after it."</p> + +<p>"Hardly," and Legree gave a short laugh. Noting the +perplexity of the two boys, he went on: "You miss one +point, Matt, in sizing up this situation. We're not done +with Brisco—not by a long chalk. It isn't the box, but +what was in it, that Brisco is anxious to get."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't there anything in the box?" queried Matt.</p> + +<p>"No, and there hasn't been since we left Ash Fork. I +opened the box on the q. t. in that town and took out +what it contained. That object is in my possession. I +intend to stay in this town, Matt, until Brisco is captured. +I don't care anything about Spangler; Brisco is +the man I want. If you've got time, you can stay and +help me; and you can keep all you get for recovering the +runabout for yourself."</p> + +<p>"What will you get for your work?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I'll send Brisco over the road. <i>The contents +of that box will do it!</i>"</p> + +<p>Matt and Carl were dumfounded. The situation was +clearing a little, but not much.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.</p> + + +<p>"Do you know this cattleman in Ash Fork who had +the runabout stolen from him?" asked Legree.</p> + +<p>"I know him by sight," answered Matt; "I'm not acquainted +with him."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure that he will pay five hundred dollars +for the recovery of his automobile?"</p> + +<p>"He said he would, and he's able to do it. And he offers +to pay five hundred dollars apiece for the capture +of Brisco and Spangler."</p> + +<p>"Then there's a chance for you to make fifteen hundred. +I'd advise you to stay here and do it."</p> + +<p>Matt leaned against the car and went into a brown +study.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tomlinson had not required him to get to Albuquerque +in a hurry. He could take a reasonable amount +of time for the trip. But Mr. Tomlinson <i>did</i> expect the +car to be brought safely to its destination. Would Matt +in any way endanger the car by staying a short time in +Fairview? That was the question that bothered him.</p> + +<p>"I t'ink, Matt," said Carl, "dot I could use some oof +dot fifdeen huntert. Vy nod shtay und dry dem a virl?"</p> + +<p>"If I stay, Legree," observed Matt, "I won't be called +on to use the Red Flier for chasing Brisco and Spangler, +will I? The car doesn't belong to me and I can't take +any chances with it."</p> + +<p>"You can do as you please about that, Matt. I'm +after Brisco. If you get Spangler and the runabout, +you'll have to do it in your own way. Spangler and +Brisco, though, seem to be working together, just now, +so my work ought to help you."</p> + +<p>"Why not get an officer here and——"</p> + +<p>"Do you want to divide with an officer what the cattleman +is willing to pay?"</p> + +<p>"You know a lot that you're not telling me, Legree," +said Matt quietly.</p> + +<p>"Well," grinned Legree, "when it comes to that, I know +a lot that I'm not telling anybody—just now. You've +heard more from me than any one else—excepting the +kid."</p> + +<p>"I think I'll lay over here until to-morrow," said +Matt.</p> + +<p>"Hoop-a-la!" exulted Carl. "Be jeerful, everypody. +I t'ink, Matt," he added, "dot I vill infest my haluf oof +dot fifdeen huntert tollars in gofermend ponds, und——"</p> + +<p>"Don't invest it till you get it, Carl," interposed Matt +dryly. "Pull off your coat, now, and we'll wash up the +car and fill the tanks."</p> + +<p>For two hours the boys were more than busy. While +in Motor Matt's hands, the machine was always as carefully +groomed as a race-horse. Not only that, but after +the day's run he made it a point to go over the machinery +with a wrench and pliers, tightening up everything that +had worked loose and making sure that every part was +in complete working order.</p> + +<p>The water-tank was filled. Ten gallons of gasoline +were needed for the gasoline reservoir, but before he +bought any from O'Grady, Matt tested it carefully with +a hydrometer. Finding it nearly the same grade as he +had been using, he funneled it into the tank, not only +straining it through wire gauze but through thin chamois +skin as well. The oil supply was also replenished.</p> + +<p>When the boys were through, the Red Flier was as +spick and span as when it had come from the shop. Not +only that, but it was fit to take the road at a moment's +notice and make a record run.</p> + +<p>To Matt's regret, there was no place in town where +the car could be housed for the night. There were two +or three old barns, but they were so foul and unclean +that he would not take the machine into them. He preferred +to leave it outdoors all night, sleeping in the tonneau +and guarding against tampering.</p> + +<p>When supper was announced, Carl watched the car +while Matt ate; and when Matt had finished, Carl went +in for his own meal.</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom, feeling much better now that his physical +necessities had been relieved, walked out to the car with +Matt when he left the dining-room.</p> + +<p>There was something on the old negro's mind. He +seemed flustered and backward about getting at it. Finally +he broached the astonishing proposition, leading up to it +by degrees.</p> + +<p>"Ah's done let out ob er job by de scan'lous actions ob +dat 'ar Brisco, Marse Matt," said he moodily.</p> + +<p>"Hard luck, Uncle Tom," answered Matt sympathetically. +"Where do you live when you're at home?"</p> + +<p>"Ah's one ob dem 'ar rolling stones, en Ah ain't had no +home sense Ah was knee-high tuh a possum, no, suh. Fo' +de las' few houahs, Marse Matt, Ah's been kind ob cogitatin' +en mah haid an' I 'bout come tuh de conclusion +dat yo' outlook in life is juberous, yassuh. Yo's a puffick +gemman, but yo' take so many chances dat yo' prospecks +am sholy juberous."</p> + +<p>"How can I help that, Uncle Tom?" asked Matt, enjoying +immensely the old darky's vagaries.</p> + +<p>"Ah knows how dat kin be fixed, sah," went on Uncle +Tom. "What yo' has got tuh hab is a official mascot, +sah, tuh be wif yo' all de time an' wuk off de hoodoo. +Ah 'lows, sah, dat I could fill dat job. How much yo' +willin' tuh pay fo' an official mascot by de monf?"</p> + +<p>That was too much for Motor Matt. Laying back in +the tonneau he laughed till he shook.</p> + +<p>"Doan' laff, Marse Matt," begged the old fraud; "hit's +a mouty complexus bizness. Tu'n hit ober in yo' mind, +sah, en if yo' t'ink Ah'm wuth mah bo'd an' keep, jess +considah Ah'm engaged."</p> + +<p>"Why, Uncle Tom," said Matt, "I haven't much more +than enough to board and keep myself, so I guess my +prospects will have to continue to be 'juberous.'"</p> + +<p>"Doan' say dat, sah; t'ink it ober. Ah'll hold mahse'f +open fo' de engagemunt."</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom stumped back into the house, and Matt +kicked off his shoes and snuggled down under a blanket +which O'Grady had furnished him.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, Carl came out with a blanket of his +own.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do, Carl?" asked Matt, rousing +up and peering at his friend through the gloom.</p> + +<p>"Dis iss some games vot two can blay ad, my poy," +chuckled Carl. "I vill shleep py der machine mit you."</p> + +<p>"Go on!" scoffed Matt. "What's the use of denying +yourself a good bed when you can just as well have one?"</p> + +<p>"Vell, I dredder shtay mit you. Don'd say nodding, +pecause it vasn't any use. My mindt iss made oop, yah, +you bed you."</p> + +<p>"All right, then," said Matt. "Curl up on the steering-wheel +and enjoy yourself."</p> + +<p>The front seat, of course, was divided into two sections, +so it was impossible for Carl to stretch himself out in it;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +however, he wrapped his blanket around him and crowded +down between the seat and the dash, head and shoulders +over the foot-board on one side, and his feet tangled up +in the foot-pedals and levers on the other.</p> + +<p>Just as Matt was getting to sleep a wild <i>honk, honk!</i> +brought him up like a shot out of a gun.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" called Matt.</p> + +<p>"Dot vas my feets," explained Carl coolly. "I hit dem +against dot rupper pag vat makes a noise. Oof der car +vas vider, den I vouldn't be too long for der blace vat I +am. Meppy I puy somet'ing else don gofermend ponds +mit dot money. Meppy, yah—so——" and Carl's words +drifted off into a snore.</p> + +<p>Matt settled down again, and this time nothing disturbed +him.</p> + +<p>Carl had some bad dreams that night. He thought his +feet were caught in a giant clothes-wringer, and that a +locomotive was hitched to his head. Some one would +run him through the wringer, flattening him out up to +the knees, and then the locomotive would back up and +pull him out again. When his dreams had tired him out +with that set of incidents, they shut him up in a little +tin box, and three men on horseback played football with +him; other experiences, too numerous to mention, followed, +and at the wind-up Carl thought he dropped several +miles through the air and smashed through a skylight. +Starting up with a groan, he rubbed his eyes and looked +around.</p> + +<p>It was morning. Carl was sitting up on the ground, +chilled and chattering.</p> + +<p>At first he thought that skylight episode was not a +dream, and he looked up to see the place he had come +through. Instead of seeing anything so unsubstantial, +his eyes encountered the face of Legree.</p> + +<p>"You sleep like a log, Carl!" exclaimed Legree. +"Where's Motor Matt? What's become of the automobile?"</p> + +<p>Then, in a flash, Carl's hazy mind connected with the +tangible things surrounding him when he went to sleep.</p> + +<p>"Vy," he cried, struggling to his feet and staring +around, "I vas in der car mit Modor Matt! I vent to +shleep in it mit him."</p> + +<p>"I know you did; but where are Matt and the car +now?"</p> + +<p>Carl rubbed his eyes again, and then took a more +careful look about him.</p> + +<p>He was standing in the very place where the car had +stood. But there was no sign of the car! And no sign +of Motor Matt!</p> + +<p>The blanket Carl had taken into the Red Flier with +him was lying crumpled on the ground, a dozen feet +away.</p> + +<p>"Vell, py shinks!" gasped Carl. "I don'd like dot. I +don'd like some shokes vere sooch a monkey-doodle pitzness +iss made mit me. Modor Matt nefer made dot +shoke."</p> + +<p>"There's no joke, Carl," answered Legree; "I wish to +gracious it <i>was</i> a joke. The Red Flier left here some time +during the night. No one heard it. No one knew it +was gone until I looked out of the window of my room. +You were lying on the ground here, but neither the car +nor Matt were in sight. Do you think Matt would pull +out and leave you?"</p> + +<p>"Leaf me? Matt? Vell, he vas my bard, und how +you figure oudt dot he do dot? No, py shinks! Oof he +ain'd here he vas dook off, und oof he vas dook off id vas +dot Prisco und Spangler vat dit it!"</p> + +<p>With that, Carl went over to the well and sat down. He +was still confused, but slowly the realization of what had +happened was growing upon him. And as the realization +grew, his temper mounted with it.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">SPIRITED AWAY.</p> + + +<p>Carl was not the only one who had been troubled with +dreams that night. Motor Matt floundered through one +of the worst nightmares he had ever had. The whole +scheme of the thing was rather vague, but mighty depressing. +He seemed to be engaged in some tremendous +struggle, striking away and countering a thousand or +more huge fists that leaped at him out of the gloom. One +by one he put the clenched hands out of business, and +when he had conquered the last of them he opened his +eyes in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>The humming of a motor was in his ears. It was the +Red Flier's motor, he could tell that instinctively. The +stars were overhead, the cool, damp smell of the night +was all around, and the glow of the acetylene lamps was +glimmering and dancing in advance. The car was moving +briskly through the silence.</p> + +<p>Matt had a queer, sick feeling at the pit of his stomach. +Counting out the time he raced the limited train on his +motor-cycle, collided with a freight-wagon and was laid +up for a fortnight, he had never been confined to his bed +for a week in his life.</p> + +<p>He wondered what ailed him, and his mind was sluggish +and slow in working out the problem.</p> + +<p>He had felt just as he did then once before. That was +the time he had been drugged and taken out of Phœnix +to keep him from racing with the Prescott champion, +O'Day.</p> + +<p>Had he been drugged now? If so, why, and by whom?</p> + +<p>By degrees the cool air cleared his befogged brain. He +went back over the chain of events, picking it up where he +had dropped it.</p> + +<p>The queer party of stranded actors—the arrival at +Fairview—the escape of Brisco from the hotel—the ride +into the hills to look for the boy—the pursuit by the horsemen +and the loss of the tin box—all these events dragged +through Matt's mind. He and Carl had gone to sleep +in the automobile. Why was the car moving? Had Carl, +giving rein to some wild impulse, cranked up the car and +started for a night ride?</p> + +<p>Matt stirred. "Carl!" he called, "what are you trying +to do?"</p> + +<p>Matt became aware, then, that there was some one +beside him in the tonneau.</p> + +<p>"Carl, hey?" came a jeering voice, as a strong hand +reached over and pushed Matt back in the seat. "Ye +got another guess comin'. Thar ain't no Dutchman along, +this trip."</p> + +<p>"Tuned up, has he?" asked a voice from the front +seat.</p> + +<p>"Yep; he's got back ter airth, Hank."</p> + +<p>"Surprised?" The man in front laughed hoarsely as he +asked the question.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Waal, kinder. He thought his Dutch pard was erlong."</p> + +<p>Matt, while this talk was going forward, realized with +a shock that the two men in the car were Brisco and +Spangler. Brisco was in the driver's seat, and Spangler +was in the tonneau.</p> + +<p>With a quick gathering of all his strength, Matt flung +himself toward the door of the tonneau. His first unreasoning +impulse was to get away from his captors. The +car must have been going forty miles an hour, and the +roadside was lined with sharp stones. If Matt had succeeded +in his desperate attempt, he could hardly have escaped +without serious injury; but his rash move was +nipped in the bud. Spangler, who was in the tonneau for +the purpose, grabbed Matt and hurled him back into the +seat.</p> + +<p>"None o' that!" he growled. "Want ter break yer +bloomin' neck? Not as I keer much about yer neck, but +Hank an' me hev got diff'rent plans fer ye."</p> + +<p>Matt was still dizzy and weak. The nausea at his +stomach was leaving him slowly, but it made him feel +as limp as a rag and utterly helpless.</p> + +<p>"Did you men run away with this car?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Looks that-away, don't it?" returned Spangler.</p> + +<p>"Where's Carl?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't hev no time ter bother with the Dutchman, so +we left him behind."</p> + +<p>"Was he hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Hurt? Nary, he wasn't hurt. We ain't opinin' ter +hurt anybody this trip so long as we hev our way. The +Dutchman was snoring like a house afire. All we did +was ter lift him out o' the keer an' lay him on the ground. +We give him a smell o' somethin' on a han'kercher, jest +ter make him snooze a leetle harder, that's all."</p> + +<p>"You drugged both of us, then?"</p> + +<p>"That was the easiest way ter keep ye from makin' er +noise."</p> + +<p>"Where are you taking me?"</p> + +<p>"Ye'll know afore long."</p> + +<p>It was a rugged road they were traveling, and the +Red Flier negotiated it with many a juggling bump. +Mountainous rocks, half-screened by bushes and trees, +glided by, and there were dusky gashes and seams, and +now and then a splash of falling water.</p> + +<p>Rougher and rougher grew the trail, and the reckless +driving of Brisco caused Matt's nerves to thrill with +fears for the car.</p> + +<p>"You'll rack the car to pieces if you keep driving like +that!" Matt called sharply.</p> + +<p>"What's it to you?" taunted Brisco.</p> + +<p>"It means a whole lot to me. This car belongs to Mr. +Tomlinson, and I've promised to take it safely to Albuquerque."</p> + +<p>"Be hanged to you and Mr. Tomlinson!" snarled +Brisco. "We'll fix this car before we're done with it. +If you ever take it to Albuquerque, you'll have to scoop +up the pieces and tote 'em there in a lumber-wagon. +That's part of what we're going to do to play even with +you and him!"</p> + +<p>Matt's heart skipped a beat, and a cold chill ran +through his body. Could the villains really mean to +destroy the Red Flier?</p> + +<p>"You'd better think well about what you do," warned +Matt. "If you ruin this car, Mr. Tomlinson will never +let up on you till he puts you where you belong."</p> + +<p>Spangler brought his hand around in a sweeping blow. +Matt dodged the hand so that the stroke was only a glancing +one.</p> + +<p>"Shut up!" he cried savagely. "Ye ain't here ter make +any threats, 'r throw any bluffs."</p> + +<p>At that moment, Brisco brought the car to a stop, putting +on the brakes so suddenly that the wheels locked and +slid.</p> + +<p>"I reckon this'll be far enough," said Brisco, turning +in his seat. "Make him get out, Spang."</p> + +<p>"Hear that?" cried Spang. "Open the door and git +down."</p> + +<p>"What's this for?" returned Matt, making no move to +obey.</p> + +<p>For answer, Spangler, with an oath, seized him by the +collar and jerked him roughly out of the tonneau.</p> + +<p>Matt was unable to make any resistance. As he stood +in the road, the jagged uplifts by which he was surrounded +seemed to swim about him in circles.</p> + +<p>Spangler got back in the car, as Matt staggered to a +big boulder and leaned against it, and Brisco backed the +car around until it was headed along the back course.</p> + +<p>"Wait!" cried Matt, as a thought of what all this +might mean to him took shape in his brain.</p> + +<p>"We're going to wait—and for just about a minute," +returned Brisco.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to steal that car?" asked Matt, "just +as you stole Nugent's?"</p> + +<p>"You're too much of a meddler," snapped Brisco. "If +you could go along and mind your own business, you'd +be a whole lot better off. You had to tangle up with +Tomlinson, back there at Ash Fork, and you hadn't any +call to butt in. If it hadn't been for you, we'd 'a' won +out on that game and been all to the good. I don't reckon +we'd have bothered you at all, though, if you'd been +content to carry out your orders and push on to Albuquerque. +But you couldn't do that; oh, no. You're trying +to be first aid to the weak and down-trodden wherever +you run into them, so you had to mix up with that bunch +of stranded actors.</p> + +<p>"When I drove the runabout into Fairview after gasoline +and oil, I dropped Spangler off to lay for the tramps +and get that tin box. You had to butt in, as per usual. +I got away from Fairview by the skin of my teeth, picked +up Spang at the place where he was waiting, and we +went on to where our other pard had some horses. We +side-tracked the runabout there, and slid back toward +Fairview, intending to push through the timber—a move +we couldn't make in the car. Then"—and here a swirling +oath dropped from Brisco's lips—"we dropped into your +little trap."</p> + +<p>"What trap?" demanded Matt.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you don't know a thing about that, do you? +You weren't moseying out there just to give us a chance +to lift that tin box, were you? And you hadn't the least +notion it was empty, had you? If you hadn't turned that +trick, my bantam, we wouldn't have turned this one. +We're going to settle with you, all right. This is a part +of the country that isn't traveled once a week, and you're +seventy-five miles from Fairview. By the time you get +back to town, we'll have got what was in that box, and +have smashed the Red Flier into a heap of jack-straws. +I know a nice little cliff alongside the road, and when +we're through with the car we'll lash the wheel, open +her up and let her go over the edge! I reckon that'll +cook your goose with Tomlinson. He didn't calculate +you were going to use his car transporting a lot of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +stranded actors, and mixing up in their affairs on the way +to Albuquerque."</p> + +<p>For a space, Motor Matt's heart stood still.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't dare do that!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't I?" and a reckless, mocking laugh came +with the words. "From what you know of me don't +you think I would? Hope you'll have a nice, easy walk +to Fairview, Motor Matt! There'll be some surprises in +store for you when you get there. Good-by!"</p> + +<p>Spangler also shouted a jeering farewell.</p> + +<p>The car got in motion, the humming slowly decreased, +and the glow of the tail light winked suddenly into darkness.</p> + +<p>Motor Matt had been abandoned.</p> + +<p>But, worse than that, the two scoundrels who had spirited +him away from Fairview were bent on the wanton +destruction of Mr. Tomlinson's car!</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.</p> + + +<p>Motor Matt came nearer being utterly cast down, at +that moment, than ever before in his life. Weak and sick +as he was, perhaps his discouragement was not to be +wondered at. Sinking down at the foot of the boulder +against which he had been leaning, he began finding fault +with himself.</p> + +<p>It was all right to pick up the stranded actors and +carry them on to Fairview. That was merely a kindness +for which no one could blame him. But to jump into +their troubles, at a time when he was engaged in work +for Mr. Tomlinson and was not, strictly speaking, his +own boss, that gave the affair another look. Now, because +of his desire to help Legree, Eliza, and the rest, +there he was, hung up in the hills seventy-five miles from +Fairview, with the Red Flier in Brisco's hands and +pointed for the scrap-heap.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tomlinson would be perfectly justified in laying +the destruction of the car to Matt's own disregard of +orders. And it was Mr. Tomlinson who had selected +Matt to take the Red Flier to Albuquerque because he +was satisfied the car would receive better care in his +hands than in any other!</p> + +<p>There was enough in these reflections to make Motor +Matt dissatisfied with himself. But he was not, and never +had been, a "quitter." And the one cry of his soul had +always been for Fate to keep him from joining the ranks +of the "quitters."</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Motor Matt was a self-reliant +American boy, and there was never the least danger of +his going over to the useless crowd of mistakes and failures. +Naturally, he might make a misplay now and then—running +behind just enough to keep him "gingered +up" for ultimate success in the big things.</p> + +<p>While he crouched at the foot of the boulder, the cool +air clearing his brain and the sick feeling leaving him, he +fell to planning for turning the tables against his enemies.</p> + +<p>What was there he could do, afoot and seventy-five +miles from town?</p> + +<p>At first, the prospect seemed utterly hopeless; but Matt +knew that a brave heart and a firm will had time and +again snatched victory from seeming defeat.</p> + +<p>He would start for Fairview. Possibly, although the +road was not much traveled, he might have the good luck +to encounter some freighter who would give him a lift.</p> + +<p>Without losing a moment longer, he got up and started +off in the direction taken by Brisco and Spangler.</p> + +<p>He wondered, as he swung along, what Carl would +think when he came to himself and found the car missing—and +Matt gone with it. And what would Legree +think? And Eliza?</p> + +<p>But what those in Fairview might think was a minor +consideration. The great point was the recovery of the +Red Flier before the car's captors could wreck the machine.</p> + +<p>Brisco was the only one of the two scoundrels who +could run a car, and even Brisco's knowledge was superficial. +An hour's instruction, from the driver of Nugent's +runabout, was all Brisco had had.</p> + +<p>Brisco now had two stolen cars and he could run only +one of them—unless, indeed, the third man he had picked +up knew something about motors.</p> + +<p>Matt, perhaps, had walked a mile through the gloomy +hills, when he heard a noise as of some one in the road +ahead. He halted, half-fearing that Brisco and Spangler +were coming back.</p> + +<p>But that could not be, he reasoned. If they had wanted +to come back, they would have used the car—and the +noise Matt heard was of footsteps.</p> + +<p>He listened, straining his ears and eyes. Only one +man was coming. He could not see, but hearing alone +told him there was but one.</p> + +<p>Backing into the deep shadow of a nest of boulders, he +continued to wait.</p> + +<p>The man, whoever he was, was coming hurriedly. +Sometimes he ran, and occasionally he stumbled. As he +drew closer, Matt saw that he was a small man, and as he +came closer still the figure resolved itself into that of a +mere boy.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" called Matt, stepping out into the road again.</p> + +<p>The figure gave a startled jump.</p> + +<p>"Chee!" it cried. "Say, who's dat?"</p> + +<p>Matt's pulses quickened, and a glow of hope ran +through him.</p> + +<p>"Hello, kid!" he shouted. "What're you doing here?"</p> + +<p>"I'm a jay if it ain't Motor Matt!" came delightedly +from the boy as he dashed forward. "How's dis f'r a +come-off? Say, it sure knocks de wind out o' me! +Where'd yous come from, yerself? Was yous on dat +automobile wid Brisco an' Spang?"</p> + +<p>By then the boy was close enough to grab Matt's hand +and give it a shake.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Matt; "I was on the car with them +and they let me out and turned back."</p> + +<p>"How'd de mutts come t' git yous on de mat, hey?"</p> + +<p>Matt explained how he had been spirited away.</p> + +<p>"Well, on de level," breathed the boy, "dat's de rummest +move I ever connected wit'. Raw? Oh, sister!"</p> + +<p>"Now tell me something about yourself," said Matt. +"Why did you get into that car? And where have you +been since you left Fairview?"</p> + +<p>"Easy, cull! T'ings is bein' pulled off in such a bunch +it's hard t' straighten dem out. Le's do de ham-restin' +act, right here on dis nice bunch o' rocks, while we chin +a little."</p> + +<p>They sat down, side by side.</p> + +<p>"You must have had some reason, Eva, for hiking out +with Brisco like you did, and——"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Cut out de 'Eva.' Fergit de styge name. I was on'y +dat back o' de tin lamps, an' no more of 'em fer mine. +Call me Josh. Not dat I'm a josher, understan', 'cause I +ain't. An' here's somet'in' else I'm battin' up t' yous: +Dere's a few t'inks rattlin' around in me block dat I can't +let yous in on. Not bekase I ain't willin' meself, but +bekase it ain't on de program. See?</p> + +<p>"First off, Matt, I crowded into dat car becase de idee +looked good t' me. Dat's all yous is t' know about dat +f'r now. I rode t' w'ere Brisco stopped de car an' took +on Spang—about de place w'ere dad an' yous had de +set-to on account o' dat box.</p> + +<p>"Den we moved on ag'in, me still under de coat an' +wonderin' how long I could keep shy o' de lamps o' dem +two dubs. You can bet yer lid, Matt, I didn't breathe +on'y when necessary. I was de sly boy, all right. W'en +we pulled up ag'in, we was clost t' t'ree horses, all saddled +an' bridled, an' wit' a beer-faced guy on one o' +dem.</p> + +<p>"De runabout was backed into de brush, an' Brisco an' +Spang got onto two o' de horses an' all t'ree o' dat +strong-arm bunch pulled deir freight back down de road. +It was right den I wished dat I knowed how t' work +dem cranks an' t'ings so'st I could make dat car go +w'ere I wanted. But I didn't know de tail lamp from de +carburetter, so I jess had t' lay low an' wait.</p> + +<p>"W'en dem jays got back, dere was yer Uncle John +right under de coat, same as usual, an' still holdin' his +breat'. If one o' de mugs lifted de coat, I was plannin' +to work me pins an' head right into de weeds, like anot'er +bear was on me trail.</p> + +<p>"But dey didn't look under de coat, none of dem. Dey +was too mad. Chee! but dey was r'iled! Blatter, blatter, +blatter, dey went, swearin' like a plumber wot's burned +hisself wit' his torch. Say, de air was blue an smelt like +de odder place. If dey'd piped me off den, dey'd have +took me skelp, all right.</p> + +<p>"From de spiel dey was givin' each odder, I hooked +onto de infermation dat dey'd got de box an' dat dere +wasn't not'in' in it—w'ich I knowed all de time. Dey +was crowdin' all deir swear-words onto Motor Matt. +Yous had fooled dem, dey said, an' dey was goin' t' saw +off even if it took a leg.</p> + +<p>"Brisco give de mug on de horse his orders to go t' +some place w'ere Brisco an' Spang would go foist an' +wait. Wid dat we started up ag'in—me on de job an' +still sayin' me prayers back'ards, for'ards, an' sideways. +I couldn't see where we went, but we was goin' f'r a +hunderd years, seemed like, I was dat worked up t'inkin' +I might git nabbed. Den we stopped, backed t'roo some +brush, an' stopped ag'in, dat time t' stay.</p> + +<p>"I had drawn into me shell, listenin' w'ile Brisco an' +Spang was rammin' around de place w'ere we was. After +a w'ile, deir bazoos seemed t' move off, an' I stuck out +me coco an' piped de layout.</p> + +<p>"We was in a well. Anyways dat's how it looked. De +well was about fifteen feet acrost, steep rocks all around +an' on'y one place w'ere dere was a break. De break was +choked up wit' brush, an' I'm wise right off dat we'd +backed t'roo it w'en we come into de well.</p> + +<p>"I see anot'er nice little clump of brush off t' de right, +an' it looked so invitin' dat I slipped out from under de +coat an' ducked f'r it.</p> + +<p>"I was in dat clump w'en de odder bloke, who dey +called Klegg, blowed in t'roo de break wid de hosses; an' +I was still dere w'en night come down, an' de t'ree of +dem lighted up de runabout an' went away w'id it.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't git in de back seat den, kase Klegg was dere, +so dey bumped off into de night an' left me in de well +wit' de t'ree horses.</p> + +<p>"I kinked me thinker all up t'ryin' t' guess whedder +I'd better stay right dere or borry one o' dem horses an' +ride some place. Well, I didn't ride, not knowin' any +good place t' ride to. Couldn't even make a guess which +way de town was.</p> + +<p>"I went out t'roo de brush an' moseyed around in de +dark till <i>chugetty-chug!</i> along come dat runabout ag'in +an' backed t'roo de brush into de well. But dere was +on'y one man in it, an' it was Klegg. W'ere was Brisco +an' Spang? Dat was wot fretted me. W'ile I was frettin', +along comes dat red tourin'-car. I made out Brisco +in front, an' Spang in de rear—an' dere was some odder +mug in de rear wot I couldn't get next to. De tourin'-car +went on past de well.</p> + +<p>"Chee, but I was rattled! Wot was happenin', I says t' +meself, an' w'y was it happenin'? De tourin'-car come +back ag'in an' in it was Brisco an' Spang, but de odder +guy had been left somew'ere. De tourin'-car was backed +into de well, w'ere de runabout had gone, an' I started dis +way t' see wot I could find. Say, Matt, I was knocked +stiff w'en I found yous! Great, ain't it, how luck takes +a shoot, once in a w'ile? If dat—— Wot's de matter +w'id yous? W'ere yous goin'?"</p> + +<p>Matt had jumped up, grabbed Josh by the arm and was +pulling him down the road.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" said he. "We haven't got any time to +lose!"</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">A DARING PLAN.</p> + + +<p>"Say," panted Josh, as he and Matt traveled rapidly +along the road, "put me wise to dis move, can't yous? +Wot's in yer block, Matt?"</p> + +<p>"Do you know what Brisco intends to do with the Red +Flier?" asked Matt.</p> + +<p>"He's layin' in a supply o' benzine-buggies t' start a +garage, 'r somet'ing, ain't he?"</p> + +<p>"He ran off with that touring-car just to play even +with me, Josh. He says I've meddled with his affairs +long enough, and that he's going to run the Red Flier +over a cliff just to pay me back for using the car to help +you people."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't dat frost yous?" muttered Josh.</p> + +<p>"And he said I was seventy-five miles from Fairview," +went on Matt, "and that by the time I had walked to the +town he would have finished his business there."</p> + +<p>"Brisco has got anodder guess comin'. He ain't so +warm. Dad can show him a t'ing 'r two, an' don't yous +fergit dat. Chee! Dat guy's de limit. But wot's yer +game, cull?"</p> + +<p>"You say that both cars are in that 'well,' as you call +it?"</p> + +<p>"Dat's w'ere dey was w'en I started for here."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to get the Red Flier away from that +outfit!"</p> + +<p>Matt spoke as confidently as though he had merely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +remarked that he was going over to the hotel after his +dinner.</p> + +<p>"Say, cull," returned the boy, "I like yer nerve, all +right, an' I marks yous up f'r de entry, but how yous +goin' t' git under de wire? Dere's t'ree o' dem guys, an' +dey've got a lot o' artillery. How we goin' t' git away +wit' de car if dey don't want us to?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Matt, "but we've got to do +it somehow."</p> + +<p>"Yous is a reg'lar lollypaloozer, Motor Matt, an' I'd +back yous t' win any ole day, but dis looks like too big +a load. But yous can count on me. Dad'll tell yous dat +I'm big f'r me age an' no mutt in a getaway, so jest set +yer pace an' I'll push on de reins."</p> + +<p>"How far is it to the place where the automobiles were +left?"</p> + +<p>"We're close t' dere now. I'm wonderin' w'y Brisco +dropped yous widin a short walk o' de hang-out—dat is, +if he was fixin' t' stay at de place?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Matt; "but that's what he +did and it's enough for me. I've got to recover that car, +Josh. If I don't, and if anything happens to it, I'd look +nice making my report to Tomlinson, wouldn't I?"</p> + +<p>"If yous hadn't picked up dat bunch o' tramps on de +road yous wouldn't have got into dis fix."</p> + +<p>"I'm not sorry I helped you out, Josh."</p> + +<p>"Sure not. Yous ain't dat kind, Motor Matt. All de +same, yous would have been peggin' along to'rds Albuquerque, +nice as yous please, if it hadn't been for dat +crowd o' Uncle Tommers. Dere'll be doin's in Fairview +in de mornin', w'en dad finds out yous ain't w'ere yous +ought t' be."</p> + +<p>"What can your father do?"</p> + +<p>"He can do a lot w'en he gits started. Don't yous +never t'ink he's a slow one, Matt."</p> + +<p>Matt knew that Legree could keep a cool head in a +pinch, but, for all that, he didn't see how he could do +anything when he didn't have money enough even to +pay his board-bill.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tomlinson has a lot of confidence in me," said +Matt; "and, if that car is wrecked, I'll have——"</p> + +<p>"Sh-h-h!" whispered Josh, coming to a wary halt and +laying a hand on Matt's arm. "Look ahead, dere. See +dat black splotch on de side o' de hill by de road?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Matt, straining his eyes in the direction +indicated.</p> + +<p>"Dat's de brush dat hides de openin'. Are we bot' +goin' t' blow in dere an' try t' make a run wit' de red +car?"</p> + +<p>"We can't do the trick in such a hurricane way as that. +We've got to lay some other plan. I'll go in and look the +ground over, Josh, and maybe I can get hold of an idea."</p> + +<p>"I'll try t' git holt o' one, too, w'ile I'm waitin' fer +yous. Don't make much noise w'ile yous is in de bushes, +Matt, or dem terriers'll pepper yous."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to sneak into the place as quietly as I can. +I don't think they'll hear me."</p> + +<p>Leaving the boy a little way from the dark patch of +verdure clinging to the face of the hill, Matt went on +carefully. As he approached closer to the vague blot +it gradually took form under his eyes.</p> + +<p>The wall of the hill seemed to be cracked through from +crest to base and wrenched apart until it formed a narrow +opening. Up both sides of the opening grew the +bushes, their branches spreading out and forming a thick +screen.</p> + +<p>On account of the darkness, Matt could not make a +very close examination of the queer fissure, but he saw +enough to convince him that Nature had contrived a +secure retreat for Brisco and Spangler.</p> + +<p>The bottom of the opening, Matt judged, was all of +ten feet in width. Dropping down on his hands and +knees, he began crawling through the middle of the break, +parting the bush branches from in front of him as he +advanced.</p> + +<p>So wary was he that he made very little noise.</p> + +<p>He had gone perhaps a dozen feet through the brushy +tangle, when a glow of light struck on his eyes. This +acted as a sort of beacon, and served to guide him the +rest of the way. A dozen feet more brought him to the +opposite side of the opening and to the edge of the +bushes.</p> + +<p>Crouching silently on the ground he proceeded to survey +the peculiar niche in front of him.</p> + +<p>Josh's description, likening the place to a "well," was +quite appropriate. The niche was circular in form and +its walls arose steeply to a height of at least fifty feet. +In the shadow of the walls the place was very dark, but +the glowing lamps of an automobile enabled Matt to see +enough to send a chill of disappointment through him.</p> + +<p>There was only one automobile in the niche!</p> + +<p>And that one was the runabout!</p> + +<p>Brisco and Spangler must have emerged and gone off +somewhere with the Red Flier.</p> + +<p>Had they taken it away to destroy it?</p> + +<p>The three horses were not far from the runabout. They +were secured to some bushes, and could be heard pawing +and stamping.</p> + +<p>Matt could also hear something else, and that was the +snoring of a man in deep sleep.</p> + +<p>After a moment's hesitation he continued to creep onward, +redoubling his care and vigilance.</p> + +<p>He was upon the man before he was fairly aware of +it, one of his groping hands coming in contact with an +outstretched foot.</p> + +<p>The snoring ceased with an explosive grunt and Matt +drew back breathlessly.</p> + +<p>The man did not rouse up. Shifting his position +slightly he continued to snore.</p> + +<p>Making a détour, Matt got around the man—whom he +knew was not Brisco or Spangler, and consequently must +be Klegg—and reached the runabout.</p> + +<p>Pausing there, the young motorist let his mind circle +about this new phase of the situation.</p> + +<p>If he couldn't get the Red Flier, why not take the runabout? +That would afford himself and Josh a quick +means for making the return trip to Fairview. Besides, +no matter what happened to the Red Flier, there was +something to be gained in getting the runabout away +from the thieves.</p> + +<p>Close to the car was a heap of horse-trappings. Matt +felt about among the saddles, bridles and blankets until +he had found two coiled riatas.</p> + +<p>Could he, by quick work, get one of the ropes around +Klegg's hands before he was thoroughly awake and able +to struggle? Josh would have been of use in such an +attempt, and Matt decided that he could not make it successfully +unless he did have the other to help. He would +go back after Josh, he decided; but first he would look +over the runabout and make sure it was ready for the +road.</p> + +<p>Laying the ropes in the front of the car, he arose to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +his feet, softly removed the tail lamp from its bracket, +and flashed it into the rumble.</p> + +<p>The coat, used so cleverly by the boy, was still there, +crumpled on the floor as though by a man's feet. Passing +on to the forward part of the car, the pencil of light +jumped from point to point, Matt's eyes following +critically.</p> + +<p>Everything seemed to be shipshape and in good order.</p> + +<p>A small object on one of the front seats caught the +youth's attention. It was pushed well back into the angle +where the back joined the seat, and Matt picked it up +and held it in the glow of light.</p> + +<p>It was a small bottle, and the label bore the written +word, "Chloroform."</p> + +<p>Matt stifled an exclamation. Undoubtedly it had been +some of that bottle's contents which had helped Brisco +and Spangler get the better of him, in Fairview, and run +off with the touring-car.</p> + +<p>Then a startling expedient darted through Matt's mind. +Turn about was fair play. With the aid of the drug he +could clear a passage for the runabout, and without resort +to any violence.</p> + +<p>Setting the lamp down on the front seat, Matt drew the +cork of the bottle, took a handkerchief from his pocket +and proceeded to wet it with the chloroform. Then, re-corking +the bottle and laying it aside, he went down on +his hands and knees and started toward Klegg.</p> + +<p>A lightening of the sky over the steep walls that +hemmed in the niche told of coming day.</p> + +<p>The darkness would be a help to Matt and Josh in getting +to the road and away, and if advantage was to be +taken of night Matt knew he would have to hurry.</p> + +<p>But he was well equipped to carry out his plans now, +and lost no time in getting about them.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">ON THE ROAD.</p> + + +<p>Kneeling beside Klegg, Matt leaned over and held the +saturated handkerchief close to his face. The fumes were +strong, and seemed to strangle him. With a gurgling +grunt he shifted his position.</p> + +<p>Matt moved the handkerchief and again held it over +his face. This time Klegg sputtered a little, but did not +change his position. Evidently the narcotic was beginning +to have its effect. After a moment, Matt allowed +the handkerchief to drop on Klegg's face. He left it +there for two or three minutes and then threw it aside. +Klegg was breathing heavily and seemed to be completely +under the influence of the drug.</p> + +<p>Catching hold of the blanket on which the man was +lying, Matt began to pull it toward the wall of the niche.</p> + +<p>"Chee!" whispered a voice close to Matt's side. "Wot +kind of a smell is dat, cull? Wot yous done to Klegg?"</p> + +<p>"I thought you were going to wait outside, Josh?" answered +Matt.</p> + +<p>"Dat's wot I t'ought, but yous was so long in comin' +dat I took de notion t' come in an' look yous up. Wot's +de play?"</p> + +<p>"I found a bottle of chloroform in the runabout, and +it must have been out of that same bottle that Brisco took +the stuff that put me to sleep. Thought I'd see how it +worked on Klegg."</p> + +<p>"Yous is a jim dandy, Matt!" laughed Josh delightedly. +"But w'ere's Brisco an' Spang?"</p> + +<p>"They're not here, and neither is the touring-car."</p> + +<p>"Tough luck! Yous figgerin' on makin' a getaway +wit' de runabout?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. We might use that for a quick run to Fairview +and get the sheriff to hunt up Brisco and Spangler. I'll +go with the sheriff and use the runabout. It's a faster +car than the Flier, and we may be able to catch the two +thieves before they wreck Mr. Tomlinson's car."</p> + +<p>"Yous has got a head on yous, Matt, an' no mistake," +said the boy admiringly. "An' yous pulled all dis off +yerself! Well, say, if yous ain't a winner dis heat yous +ought t' be. Dat's right—on de level an' no stringin'. +Dad would like t' have a guy like yous t' work wit' all +de time. An' so would Little Eva, de child wonder. But +it's gittin' daylight, Matt, an' if we're goin' t' pull our +freight, let's be at it."</p> + +<p>It was already light enough so that they could see +without the lamps. These were extinguished, and then +Matt put the tail lamp back in its place, started the engine +and got into the driver's seat.</p> + +<p>On the low gear they moved slowly across the bottom +of the niche.</p> + +<p>Josh was still laughing softly to himself.</p> + +<p>"Chee, cull, but I'd like t' be around w'en Brisco an' +Spang find dat Klegg feller!" he chuckled. "Dat would +be as good as a circus. Dis is almost too good t' be +true, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>"It will be, Josh," replied Matt, "if I can only get back +the Red Flier."</p> + +<p>"Dem coves'll be careful o' dat odder machine when +dey find dis one has been took away from dem."</p> + +<p>"I know that—providing they find out the runabout is +gone before they destroy the Flier."</p> + +<p>Setting the runabout at the bushes, Matt drove through +the undergrowth, Josh keeping the branches out of his +face while he attended to the steering.</p> + +<p>"On de road ag'in!" jubilated the boy, as they emerged +from the mouth of the opening and turned to the left.</p> + +<p>"All I wish is," answered Matt, "that I knew we were +going right."</p> + +<p>"Dere's on'y two ways t' go, cull. One's up to'rds +w'ere you was dropped by Brisco an' Spang, an' t'odder's +de way we're headin'. It's a cinch we're hittin' it off +about proper. W'ere d' youse t'ink dem odder mutts +went wid de tourin'-car?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid they took it off to carry out their threat +and make junk of it."</p> + +<p>"I hope yous ain't got it right. If dey did dat, it 'u'd +put yous in a bad hole. Yous couldn't make Tomlinson +take dis car f'r de odder, could yous?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly. This car belongs to Nugent, in Ash Fork."</p> + +<p>Something was rattling about the car, and it got onto +Matt's nerves. Halting for a moment, he located the difficulty. +The screw-cap of the gasoline-tank was loose. +Taking a wrench out of the tool-box he tightened the +cap, then dropped the wrench in the rumble and returned +to his seat.</p> + +<p>"Yous don't like t' hear anyt'ing rattle, hey?" queried +Josh.</p> + +<p>"Makes me nervous," laughed Matt. "Now hold onto +your teeth, Josh. I'm going to let her out!"</p> + +<p>"De quicker we kin go de better. Let's see how fast +de ole gal kin travel."</p> + +<p>They whirled around a turn in the narrow valley. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +unexpected was lying in wait for them, for they came +upon Spangler, on foot and walking toward the niche.</p> + +<p>Josh gave a startled yell. Spangler, dumfounded at +sight of the runabout, charging toward him with Motor +Matt and the boy in front, stood as though rooted to the +ground.</p> + +<p>"Down, Josh!" cried Matt, advancing the spark; "get +down behind the dashboard!"</p> + +<p>As Matt spoke he sounded the horn. Spangler climbed +out of the way with more haste than grace, and the runabout +dashed past him.</p> + +<p>"Yi-yip-ee!" tuned up the boy, waving his hand mockingly. +"D'radder do dat dan git run down, hey?"</p> + +<p>"Drop!" yelled Matt, and in a tone that made Josh +crumple down between the seat and the dash.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>Matt had expected a bullet, and he was not disappointed. +But it went wide.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>The next one came closer, but still left a safe margin.</p> + +<p>There was no more shooting. Wondering at it, Josh +rose up and looked backward.</p> + +<p>"Now wot d'youse t'ink o' dat!" he cried. "Wot's dat +mug doin' dat for?"</p> + +<p>"What's he doing?" asked Matt.</p> + +<p>"W'y he's hustlin' a big stone into de middle o' de +road. See 'im work! Chee! Wot's de meanin' o' dat?"</p> + +<p>The car whipped around another turn, wiping Spangler +and his strange activities out of sight. Josh dropped +down on the seat.</p> + +<p>"That's got a bad look," said Matt, coaxing the runabout +to a still faster gait. "We've got to get out of this +as quick as we can."</p> + +<p>"Chee!" cried the boy, holding to the seat with both +hands, "we're goin' fast enough. Gid-ap! Wow! wot +a spurt! Don't let anyt'ing slip a cog, cull. If de ole +benzine-buggy hit a rock an' stopped, I'd go right on f'r +a couple o' miles afore I landed. Oh, wot a clip! We've +got de Cannonball Limited licked t' a frazzle!"</p> + +<p>Then they took another turn, the rear wheels skidding +and Matt deftly catching the motor up and sending the +car onward. The runabout did not follow the curve of +the road, but made an angling turn—a hair-raising stunt +copied after Oldfield, the daredevil racer.</p> + +<p>Josh gave a yell, and came within a hair of being +heaved over Matt and into the road.</p> + +<p>Then, with a muttered exclamation, Matt cut off the +power, applied the brakes and quickly reversed, backing +for the side of the road.</p> + +<p>It all happened so quick that it took the boy's breath.</p> + +<p>"Wot's dat fer?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Matt was whirling the wheel and starting the car on +the back track.</p> + +<p>"Brisco is heading us off," he answered—"Brisco in +the Red Flier!"</p> + +<p>Josh turned to stare along the road.</p> + +<p>Matt was right.</p> + +<p>Brisco, still a long distance off, was whooping it up in +their direction.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't dat crimp yous?" gasped the boy, awed at +the gathering perils. "Dey've got us f'r fair, Matt! W'y +didn't yous keep on an' give Brisco de go-by?"</p> + +<p>"There wasn't room enough in the road to pass!" flung +back Matt.</p> + +<p>"Dat's w'y Spang was rollin' dem stones in de road! +He knew dat Brisco was comin', and dat he'd git us between +him an' de rock-pile. Chee! We're It, dis time, an' +no mistake."</p> + +<p>Matt, his face white and set and his gray eyes snapping, +was leaning over the steering-wheel, watching every +foot of road as they swept over it.</p> + +<p>"We've got to pass that rock-pile before it gets too +big!" said he through his teeth.</p> + +<p>"Den w'ere'll we go?"</p> + +<p>"Anywhere, just so we keep away from Brisco. This +car is a faster one than the Red Flier. We can show +him our heels at any stage of the game."</p> + +<p>They fairly flew, and rocks rushed past them as though +hurled by some giant hand.</p> + +<p>"There'll be some danger when we get to the place +where Spangler is waiting, Josh," said Matt. "I'll slow +down and you can get out, if you want to."</p> + +<p>"Wot d'youse take me fer?" cried the boy. "I'm wid +yous, Matt, win 'r lose. See? Make yer ole play. If +Uncle Josh ain't wit' yous at de finish, den call him a +quitter an' mark him off'n yer callin'-list."</p> + +<p>Hurling onward, and skidding around the turns, Matt +kept straining his eyes constantly ahead.</p> + +<p>Their source of peril was now wrapped up in Spangler. +If his pile of boulders did not block the road completely—if +there was a chance for the runabout to get past the +stones, or over them, there was still a fighting chance for +escape.</p> + +<p>Half a minute later, as the car reached out for the +place where Spangler had been at work, Matt's heart +went down into his boots.</p> + +<p>Spangler was nowhere in sight, but he had worked to +good purpose.</p> + +<p>A few big boulders were cunningly placed so as to +make the road impassable. With a despairing cry, Matt +brought the runabout to a quick stop.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">A CLOSE CALL.</p> + + +<p>"Pile out, Josh, and get busy with those rocks!" yelled +Matt.</p> + +<p>It was a forlorn hope, for the pounding of the Red +Flier could be heard around the turn, coming up hand +over fist. Long before the way could be cleared, Brisco +would be upon them.</p> + +<p>And what had become of Spangler. Where had he +gone? And <i>why</i> had he gone?</p> + +<p>That was a conundrum, and Matt had no time to give +to conundrums just then.</p> + +<p>Josh, eager to do all he could, was tugging and straining +at the rocks.</p> + +<p>"It won't do, Josh!" shouted Matt. "Run for those +boulders at the side of the road and wait for me."</p> + +<p>To think quickly in an emergency was Motor Matt's +long suit. Many a time his cool head had helped him +out of a bad difficulty.</p> + +<p>While he was shouting to the boy he was running back +to the car. Snatching the wrench from where he had +dropped it in the rumble, Matt went to work with lightninglike +energy on the cap of the gasoline-reservoir.</p> + +<p>In record time he had the cap off. Bending down he +scooped up a handful of sand from the road and dumped +the most of it into the reservoir, then, as quickly as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +had removed the cap, he replaced it, flung the wrench into +the car and jumped for the boulders.</p> + +<p>Hardly was he back of the big stones that clustered +along that edge of the valley, when the Red Flier shoved +her nose through a cloud of dust and came scorching +onward.</p> + +<p>Brisco must have been astounded to see the runabout, +deserted and at a halt in the road. The way, of course, +was blocked for him as well as for the runabout, and he +halted the Red Flier at a good distance from the other +machine, leaped out and came running to the other car.</p> + +<p>The stones in the road probably gave him a pretty +good idea of what had happened, for he immediately began +looking around him as though expecting to see some +one—possibly Matt and Josh.</p> + +<p>"Spang!" he whooped. "Where are you, Spang?"</p> + +<p>"Here!" answered Spangler, appearing suddenly +around the bend.</p> + +<p>"What you been doing?" demanded Brisco.</p> + +<p>"The dickens is ter pay, an' no mistake!" stormed +Spang. "That young cub of a Motor Matt found out +whar we'd cached the runabout, an' blamed if he didn't +go in an' snake it right out from under Klegg's——"</p> + +<p>"Thunder!" broke in Brisco. "Don't you reckon I <i>saw</i> +the whelp? He was bearing down on me like a hurricane, +slamming the runabout through for all she was +worth."</p> + +<p>"He went past here gally-whoopin'," answered Spang, +"while I was makin' fer that hole in the hill. Come +mighty nigh runnin' me down at that. I got out o' the +way, faced around an' sent a couple o' bullets arter him, +but the brat's too lucky ter stop any lead——"</p> + +<p>"Depends on who throws the lead," snarled Brisco.</p> + +<p>"I kin throw it with ary man that walks! But I didn't +take time ter throw much. I calculated the runabout +would come up ferninst you, Hank, afore it got out o' +the valley, an' that King would have ter turn around an' +chase back this way. So what does I do but begin pilin' +stones whar they'd do the most good. Jest got enough +down ter do the biz, an' went ter see what had happened +ter Klegg. Great jumpin' sand-hills! What d'ye think +that infernal kid done ter him?"</p> + +<p>"What?" fumed Brisco.</p> + +<p>"Doped him, by thunder! Doped him out er the same +bottle we used last night! Klegg's up thar in the notch, +dead ter the world!"</p> + +<p>"What did you leave the hang-out for?" roared Brisco +angrily. "Didn't I tell you, when I left, to stay there +with Klegg? If you'd done as I said, this wouldn't have +happened."</p> + +<p>"I come out ter see if that kid was moseyin' down the +valley," was the sullen rejoinder from Spang. "Ye said +I was ter watch out an' make sure he didn't blunder outer +the notch."</p> + +<p>"Well, you made sure, didn't you?" taunted Brisco. +"Where'd Legree's kid spring from? How'd he come to +be along with King?"</p> + +<p>"How'd I know? Think I'm a mind-reader?"</p> + +<p>"Deuced funny thing! He was with King, and I'd +like to know where he came from, and how he got here. +There's a nigger in the fence, I'll bet. Where'd those +boys go?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know that, nuther."</p> + +<p>"Did they pass you and go up the valley?"</p> + +<p>"Nary, they didn't!"</p> + +<p>"Then they must be hiding around here somewhere! +Let's get 'em. If I lay hands on Motor Matt again he +won't get off so easy."</p> + +<p>There was only one place in that vicinity where any +one could hide, and that was among the scattered rocks +not far from where the runabout was standing.</p> + +<p>Brisco and Spangler, making a hasty survey of the surroundings, +at once hit upon the boulders as the place +for them to look.</p> + +<p>"They're over thar," cried Spangler, "an' I'll bet money +on it."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, he started at a run for the side of the +valley, pulling a revolver as he went.</p> + +<p>"Don't do any shooting," called Brisco, starting after +Spangler, "just grab 'em and hold 'em."</p> + +<p>"We'll tie King in that thar automobile when we run it +over the cliff!" yelped Brisco viciously. "We'll l'arn him +ter play his tricks on <i>us</i>!"</p> + +<p>Matt and Josh had heard all this conversation. They +were not standing still, either, but were busily finding +some place where they could stow themselves away.</p> + +<p>A fight with the two armed men was to be avoided, if +possible. Matt knew that he and Josh would stand little +chance in such a one-sided combat; and Matt had formed +plans which he was eager to be carrying out.</p> + +<p>A little way up the steep hillside there was a ledge, +with a recess back of it.</p> + +<p>Matt's quick eye picked out the spot, and he climbed +briskly, hauling Josh along after him. The boulders +shielded them from view while they were getting to the +ledge, and Matt pushed Josh into the recess, and then +rolled into it himself. From this position Matt was able +to peer over the ledge and keep track of the movements of +Brisco and Spangler.</p> + +<p>"Are they comin' dis way, cull?" whispered the boy.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Matt.</p> + +<p>"Got deir guns ready, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, Josh. Scoundrels like Brisco and Spangler +always draw and shoot if you give 'em half a chance."</p> + +<p>"Dey're hot at de two of us, an' dey'll sure lay out ter +do us up."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to fight, if they force it on us."</p> + +<p>"Wot kin we do?"</p> + +<p>"There's a stone on the ledge. If they come too close +I'll push it down on them."</p> + +<p>"Better give dat dere stone a push right off, bekase——"</p> + +<p>"Hist!" cautioned Matt.</p> + +<p>Silence fell between the boys. Matt drew in his head, +fearing he would be seen. He listened intently, however, +and could tell by the scrambling feet below just how near +Brisco and Spangler were coming. When they came too +close, Matt was intending to push the stone down on them.</p> + +<p>"Beats the deuce where those whelps went to!" grumbled +the voice of Brisco.</p> + +<p>"They must be here. Thar wasn't any place else they +could go. I wasn't gone from the road more'n five minits, +Hank."</p> + +<p>"They wouldn't have had time to get past you?"</p> + +<p>"Nary, they wouldn't. They're here, I tell ye; they +must be."</p> + +<p>"The whole side-hill is under our eyes. If you can +see the cubs you can do better than I can."</p> + +<p>"Seems like there was a shelf up thar a ways. Mebby +they're on the shelf?"</p> + +<p>"Gammon! That shelf isn't wide enough for a chipmunk +to sit on."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Anyways, I'm goin' up an' take a look."</p> + +<p>Matt got ready to push out and roll the stone off the +shelf. Before he could do that, however, a shout from +Brisco halted him.</p> + +<p>"Say, you! There were three horses in the hang-out +with Klegg!"</p> + +<p>"What o' that?" answered Spangler.</p> + +<p>"Why, those boys have gone there and are getting the +horses."</p> + +<p>"How could they go thar, Hank? They didn't pass +me."</p> + +<p>"They might have got there when you didn't see them. +While we're wasting time here, I'll bet something handsome +they're getting out those horses. Come on! Don't +lose another second fooling around among those rocks!"</p> + +<p>"Waal, I don't reckon——"</p> + +<p>"Come on, I say!" roared Brisco.</p> + +<p>The two men were heard scrambling down the slope, +getting farther and farther away.</p> + +<p>Back in the little recess Matt could hear the boy chuckling +and talking to himself.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Josh!" whispered Matt, starting up. "Be +careful, though! This is our day for luck, all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess!" answered the boy, rolling over the +ledge. "Chee, but dey're a pair o' dough-heads. Good +t'ing f'r us, too. What next, Matt?"</p> + +<p>"We'll get to the Red Flier, turn it the other way +along the trail, and ride back to Fairview."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lucy!" giggled Josh. "Fer a kid dat ain't had +not'in' t' eat since yesterday mornin' I'm feelin' some +fine! We gits de Red Flier, after all, an' dem guys is +beat, hands down."</p> + +<p>They were proceeding down the hillside while Josh +was talking. When Matt reached the boulders that lined +the road, he looked out.</p> + +<p>Brisco and Spangler, hurrying as fast as their legs +could carry them, were just vanishing around the bend.</p> + +<p>"Now for the Red Flier—and Fairview!" said Matt, +running out from among the boulders and laying a direct +course for the red car.</p> + +<p>"Dat's de talk, cull!" laughed Josh, hustling along +after Matt.</p> + +<p>Certainly it looked as though they were to have everything +their own way, for a while at least—but they were +not so lucky as they thought.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">CAR AGAINST CAR.</p> + + +<p>It may be that Matt and Josh made too much racket +getting down the rocks, or that Brisco had a premonition +that something was wrong. Be that as it might, however, +yet Brisco and Spangler turned back a minute after +they had gone charging around the bend.</p> + +<p>Motor Matt, at that moment, was bending to the crank +of the Red Flier, and it was Josh who excitedly announced +the approach of their two enemies.</p> + +<p>The boy had done his jubilating too soon, and the sight +of Brisco and Spangler filled him with panic.</p> + +<p>"Oh, chee!" he fluttered. "Dey're after us, Matt, like +a couple o' grizzlies! Wow! Let's duck f'r de rocks +agin!"</p> + +<p>"Get into the car!" shouted Matt, giving the crank a +whirl.</p> + +<p>One beauty of the Red Flier was the quickness with +which the machine caught up its cycle; and it had been +the same with Matt's twin-cylinder motorcycle. Half a +turn of the pedal was enough for the little <i>Comet</i>, and +one pull of the crank did the business for the red car's +motor.</p> + +<p>While the machine popped its defiance of Brisco and +Spangler, Motor Matt ran around and vaulted into his +old familiar place. He felt at home—much more so than +he had when driving the runabout.</p> + +<p>Neither Brisco nor Spangler wasted any time with their +revolvers. Both knew that the runabout was a faster +machine than the Red Flier, and both felt confident that +a quick start after the boys and a few minutes' chase +would tell the tale.</p> + +<p>Spangler scrambled into the car. Brisco slipped as he +rounded the front of the runabout to turn over the engine, +fell sprawling and hit his head on the handle of the +crank.</p> + +<p>He was not very much hurt, apparently, although from +his flow of language his temper must have been severely +injured. Besides, he had lost ten seconds—no very serious +matter, considering the usual speed of the runabout—but +Brisco was anxious for a rapid start and a quick +finish for the chase.</p> + +<p>As he yanked the lever savagely, the popping from up +the road sounding like the rapid discharge of a Gatling +gun. Motor Matt had turned the Red Flier with his customary +celerity, and was off on the high gear with the +muffler cut out.</p> + +<p>"By thunder," howled the frantic Spangler, "oncet I +ketch that Motor Matt I'll wring his neck fer him!"</p> + +<p>"I'll help you," answered Brisco vindictively. There +was a patch of skin gone from his forehead and a little +dribble of red was flowing down his cheek.</p> + +<p>"If they wasn't out o' sight," growled Spangler, "I'd +pepper 'em."</p> + +<p>"What's the use of peppering them?" scowled Brisco. +"We'll climb right over 'em in less'n five minutes."</p> + +<p>"Do it!" cried Spangler, as they shot ahead recklessly.</p> + +<p>"Do what?" asked Brisco, just missing a boulder by a +hair's breadth.</p> + +<p>"Why, climb over 'em," snorted Spangler. "Run 'em +down an' shove 'em inter the rocks! Let's hev a smash, +with that young whelp right in the middle of it. He's +made us trouble enough!"</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool, Spang!" returned Brisco. "If we +ran into them we might smash the runabout. We've got +use for this machine—after we clean up on Legree and +this Motor Matt."</p> + +<p>"That's so, too," said Spangler. "We may hev use +fer it even if ye don't clean up on Legree. With another +pair o' shoes an' tubes, an' a place whar we kin keep a +supply o' gasoline an' oil, an' them steel bottles o' compressed +air, we could circle all around through this here +Southwestern kentry, takin' our toll wharever we wanted +ter pick it up."</p> + +<p>"Sure we could, and we <i>will</i>!"</p> + +<p>"I'm glad o' one thing," observed Spangler.</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, thar won't be any more glass throwed in the +road, same as thar was during t'other chase we had with +that Red Flier. King had a lot in the red car, if ye remember, +an' I dumped it all out."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll nip 'im this time," said Brisco, through his +teeth.</p> + +<p>"We got ter, that's what. If we don't—— Tear an' +ages, Hank! Be keerful!"</p> + +<p>The runabout had been hurled at a curve. There was +no lessening of the speed, and the entire machine slid +sideways to the edge of the road, banging into the rocks +with a force that pitched Spangler against the dashboard. +He came within one of going clear over upon the hood.</p> + +<p>"Get back in your seat and hang on!" yelled Brisco. +"We haven't commenced to run yet."</p> + +<p>After that Spangler had no time to talk—he was too +busy holding himself in the car.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Red Flier had been streaking it through +the hills, Josh keeping a pair of keen eyes on the back +track, and Matt giving his entire attention to the road +ahead.</p> + +<p>"Chee, wot a bump!" cried Josh.</p> + +<p>He had seen the runabout skid across the road, take +a welt at the rock wall and then leap onward like a bullet +from a gun.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" shouted Matt.</p> + +<p>He had to shout, for the wind of their flight caught the +words out of his teeth and flung them, a mere wisp of +sound, far to rearward.</p> + +<p>"Brisco tried t' knock over a hill wit' his hind wheels," +yelled Josh, "an' Spang tried t' turn a handspring over +de bonnet. Wow! but dey're goin some, Matt!"</p> + +<p>"So are we," screamed Matt, "Fifty-eight miles an +hour."</p> + +<p>"Ever race dat runabout afore?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"W'ch winned?"</p> + +<p>"The Flier—by a fluke. I scattered glass in the road—the +runabout got into it and went lame."</p> + +<p>"Got any glass along now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in the tonneau; but——"</p> + +<p>"None dere now, cull."</p> + +<p>"Then Brisco must have thrown it out. It'll all right, +though. This is going to be our race."</p> + +<p>"We'd better keep our lamps skinned f'r Fairview. It's +on'y seventy-five miles from w'ere we started, an we're +goin' so fast we might run past de place an' never see +it."</p> + +<p>Josh felt hilarious. His panic was leaving him and his +usual nerve was coming back.</p> + +<p>"How's the runabout coming?" roared Matt.</p> + +<p>"Gainin'!" whooped the boy. "Oh, sister, how she's +comin'! Wisht I had some glass."</p> + +<p>"She'll never catch us, Josh!"</p> + +<p>"How's dat?"</p> + +<p>"Because I've fixed her so she won't."</p> + +<p>"I hope yous ain't shy in yer calkilations, Matt. Dem +blokes'll sure kill us if we drops into deir hands."</p> + +<p>"Watch her, Josh! Tell me when her speed slackens, +or when anything goes wrong."</p> + +<p>"She ain't slackenin' none yet, an' nuttin' ain't gone +wrong."</p> + +<p>"Well, watch and tell me."</p> + +<p>Matt couldn't understand why the runabout wasn't beginning +to develop trouble in the vicinity of the needle-valve. +But it would come, sooner or later. Some of the +sand was bound to get through the supply-pipe in time.</p> + +<p>The valley had widened considerably, and now it began +to develop dips and rises which afforded Matt opportunity +for nursing the motor and preventing overheating. +He could cut off the power on the down grades and +give the throbbing cylinders a breathing spell.</p> + +<p>Brisco had no such fine ability or discrimination. He +took everything on the high gear.</p> + +<p>"Still gainin'!" announced Josh.</p> + +<p>"How far are they behind?"</p> + +<p>"A hundred feet. It's a wonder dey don't shake some +bullets out o' deir guns dis way. One of 'em's tootin' +his bazoo at us."</p> + +<p>"What does he say? Can you hear?"</p> + +<p>"He says ter stop 'r he'll put a bullet into one o' our +tires. Chee! If he does dat——"</p> + +<p>Matt snatched one hand from the steering-wheel.</p> + +<p>Honk, honk! he answered derisively.</p> + +<p>Sping!</p> + +<p>The warning report was followed by the whistle of a +bullet. It did not come anywhere near the Red Flier, +but spatted harmlessly into the valley wall.</p> + +<p>Josh laughed wildly and waved his hand. The spirit +of the race was surging through his veins and had wiped +out all sense of fear.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" he shouted. "Yous ought t' seen dat! Spang +has been holdin' on t' de seat wit' bot' hands, but he +let go wit' one t' fire at us. De runabout jumped sideways +an' he lost his pepper-box overboard. Come clost +t' goin' hisself! Say, I wisht he had!"</p> + +<p>The runabout was devouring the distance in remarkable +style. It was now only twenty-five feet behind, and +so near that the sand and pebbles kicked up by the flying +rear wheels of the red car struck in the faces of Brisco +and Spangler.</p> + +<p>Spangler lowered his head. Brisco jerked the goggles +down over his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" he roared, "or I'll run into you!"</p> + +<p>Honk, honk! tooted Matt defiantly.</p> + +<p>Brisco swore and gritted his teeth. With his temper +at fever heat, what did he care how he injured the runabout +just so he evened his score with Motor Matt?</p> + +<p>Closer and closer came the runabout. Josh measured +the decreasing distance with his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ten feet! Five, Matt, <i>five</i>! She's up t' us, now—look +out!"</p> + +<p>Not knowing what was to happen, Josh curled over +the back of the seat and hung on with both hands.</p> + +<p>There was a slight jar, followed by a sudden slewing +on the part of the runabout, a quick lessening of speed +and the whirr of a racing engine.</p> + +<p>"Dey're stoppin'!" shouted the boy; "somet'ing has +gone wrong wid de odder car!"</p> + +<p>"I knew <i>something</i> would happen!" shouted Matt, as +he slowed his speed a little to give the Red Flier a bit +of a rest.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.</p> + + +<p>"Dat engine o' deirs went wrong just at de right time +t' save our bacon, Matt," said Josh.</p> + +<p>Matt tossed a look backward. The runabout was at +a stop, and Brisco was on the ground, tinkering frantically.</p> + +<p>"If he knows what to do," said Matt, "he'll be able +to come on again. But he'll have more trouble; and he'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +continue to have trouble until he takes time to overhaul +his fuel-tank."</p> + +<p>"What did yous do?" asked the boy.</p> + +<p>"Mixed a handful of sand with his gasoline."</p> + +<p>"W'en?"</p> + +<p>"While we were hung up in front of those rocks +Spangler had laid for us."</p> + +<p>"Didn't dat geezer see yous?"</p> + +<p>"I got out of the way before Brisco showed up; and +Spangler, at the time, was away looking for the man +in the notch."</p> + +<p>"Chee, but you're a wonder! Motor Matt heads de +percession an' carries de banner! Yous t'ought o' all +dat while I was hustlin' t' git behind dem rocks! Did +yous t'ink we was goin' t' have a race?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't know but we might. Anyhow, I thought it +good policy to fix the machine so it wouldn't be reliable. +What's the news from the rear, Josh?"</p> + +<p>"Brisco is gittin' back in his seat."</p> + +<p>"Is he coming on?"</p> + +<p>"Dat's wot."</p> + +<p>"Fast as ever?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see no diff'rence in de runnin'."</p> + +<p>"Well, something is sure to go wrong, just as it did +before. One grain of sand clogged the needle-valve, +Josh, and there's a thousand more grains to come down +the supply-pipe. Face around a minute. The road forks +here. Which one shall we take? Do you remember +coming this way?"</p> + +<p>The boy flopped around in his seat. The Red Flier +was rushing toward a place where the road forked. +Both roads were bordered by rocky walls, and both had +the appearance of being equally well traveled—which +wasn't saying much for the travel, at that.</p> + +<p>"I don't remember nuttin'," answered the boy, "bein' +scart stiff all de w'ile I was in de runabout. I'd say go +t' de right. Dat's always a good t'ing t' do."</p> + +<p>"If we had the least notion which way Fairview lay +we could shape our course a little better. But we don't +know, so we'll take chances and go to the right."</p> + +<p>There was a slowing of speed while Matt made the +turn. For a long distance this fork was a straightaway +stretch and fairly level. Matt and Josh were congratulating +themselves on the fact that they had made a fortunate +choice, when suddenly they whirled out on a +vista that surprised them.</p> + +<p>At the end of the straightaway stretch, a sudden +angle brought the side of a steep mountain under the +boy's eyes. The road could be seen clinging to the +mountain's side, describing horseshoe after horseshoe—edging +its way between dizzy chasms and high cliffs.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" gasped Josh, and collapsed in his seat. "Right +here's w'ere we fall off de eart'."</p> + +<p>Matt took another look behind. The runabout, with +the stern, relentless face of Brisco over the wheel, was +surging toward them.</p> + +<p>"Here we go!" called Matt. "Hang on, Josh!"</p> + +<p>"I'm glued! Yous can't shake me!"</p> + +<p>The boy was game, and Matt flung the Red Flier at +the mountainside and down the ribbon of treacherous +road.</p> + +<p>There were places where a cliff overhung the trail, +and the wheels on the left almost scraped the rocks, while +those on the right barely tracked on the brink of a gulf.</p> + +<p>The boy's face went white, but his eyes glimmered +brightly. He looked back from time to time and saw +the runabout sliding after them.</p> + +<p>A quick fear had rushed to Matt's brain. Oddly +enough, it was not a fear for his own safety, for he +knew the Red Flier and knew what he could do with it; +but the runabout! If that trickle of sand cut off the +power and caused the machine to slew ever so slightly, +it would go over the chasm's edge and carry Brisco and +Spangler with it!</p> + +<p>The world would have been better off, perhaps, if +such a mishap had come to pass; but Matt did not want +it that way. His own instrumentality in the matter +would have been too hideously clear.</p> + +<p>And yet, if something did not happen to the runabout, +the machine might collide with the Red Flier and drive +it over the brink.</p> + +<p>Matt knew he must keep ahead. Never had he driven +more masterfully than then. His nerves were steady, +his brain alert, and every inch of that curving, treacherous +down grade was covered by his eyes.</p> + +<p>It was more like falling down a hill than riding down. +The Red Flier quivered like a thing of life, seeming to +realize what was expected of it, and responding nobly.</p> + +<p>Far off, over the level plain at the mountain's foot, +could be seen the little cluster of houses that represented +Fairview. It glowed in the morning sun like a toy village +on a toy map.</p> + +<p>As the road curved, struck a short straightaway, then +curved again, the town swept vividly into view and again +as quickly vanished.</p> + +<p>At the most desperate part of the trail a rock had +crumbled from the wall and rolled to the edge of the +chasm. There it lay, almost under the nose of the rushing +car.</p> + +<p>The boy cast a despairing look into Motor Matt's set, +determined face. All he saw was a swift gleam of the +gray eyes.</p> + +<p>Crash!</p> + +<p>The car, skilfully guided so that it touched the inward +side of the boulder, forced it from the edge and sent it +bounding and smashing downward into the gulf.</p> + +<p>A sharp breath tore through the boy's lips. Confidence +again took possession of him. After that escape, what +difficulty could come up that Motor Matt was not able +to conquer?</p> + +<p>Matt seemed to be made of steel. With one foot on +the brake and both hands on the wheel, he kept rigidly +to his work.</p> + +<p>"How're they making it behind, Josh?" he called.</p> + +<p>The boy knelt in his seat and looked back up the steep +incline.</p> + +<p>Fortune was riding with Brisco that day. But for +that he must have been hurled from the trail in a dozen +places.</p> + +<p>Driving a car was comparatively new work for him, +and the chances are that never before had he been on +such a dangerous piece of road. Yet he was naturally +a man of iron nerve, and would not hold back where +Motor Matt led.</p> + +<p>Spangler, from his appearance, was as frightened a +man as there ever was in Arizona. A gray pallor had +spread over his face, and his eyes were fairly popping +from his head. Gripping his seat with both hands, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +braced himself with his feet against the forward dip of +the car.</p> + +<p>"Dey're slidin' after us, cull," reported the boy.</p> + +<p>"Gaining?"</p> + +<p>"Dat's wot, but not like dey did on de level road."</p> + +<p>"The foot of the mountain is just ahead of us. Can +we get there before they overtake us?"</p> + +<p>"Well, mebby we kin, but I wish de foot o' de mountain +was half a mile nearer dan wot it is."</p> + +<p>Facing about in his seat, Josh looked at the foot of the +mountain for himself.</p> + +<p>They were dropping toward it swiftly. There were +no more curves—nothing but a straight fall, a shoot +between bordering rocks and then a cheerful reach of +road over the plain.</p> + +<p>"We're in luck t' git out o' dis widout a broken neck," +said Josh. "Chee, but dat level place looks good t' me."</p> + +<p>"The Flier's a dandy car!" declared Matt.</p> + +<p>"She's got a dandy driver, an' dat's no dream. W'ere'd +we been widout Motor Matt at de steerin'-wheel? Yous +is a four-time winner, an' dere's odders dat'll hear me +say it."</p> + +<p>"The runabout will be hot after us as soon as we hit +the level ground again."</p> + +<p>"Dey'll never ketch us, cull. I don't care how hot dey +come, wit' yous handlin' de Flier."</p> + +<p>With a final spurt the red car rushed through the +rocks, and, for the first time since it had taken that up-and-down +trail, both ends were on a level.</p> + +<p>As they glided out onto the plain, Matt cast a look +backward. There was a feeling of relief came over him +at sight of the runabout charging through the rocks at +the mountain's foot.</p> + +<p>But, as he looked, and just as the runabout was on +the point of striking level ground, there was a jerk to +the left, a crash, and a sudden stop.</p> + +<p>Brisco pitched forward over the wheel, shot clear past +the hood, and doubled up and rolled along the stony +trail.</p> + +<p>Spangler went out on the left side, ricochetting into the +air and turning a couple of grotesque somersaults. Like +Brisco, when he dropped, he lay still.</p> + +<p>A sharp breath escaped Matt's lips. Turning the Red +Flier, he started back until he had come almost upon +the silent form of Brisco; then he brought the Flier to +a halt and jumped out.</p> + +<p>"Chee, Moses!" muttered Josh, awed by the abrupt +termination of the chase. "Do yous t'ink dem guys is +killed, Matt?"</p> + +<p>"That's what we've got to find out," flung back Matt, +hurrying to Brisco and kneeling down beside him.</p> + +<p>Human enmity seemed a paltry thing to Matt as his +hand went groping over Brisco's breast, feeling for the +heart-beats. A thrill of satisfaction shot through him +as he found that Brisco was alive.</p> + +<p>Hurrying on to Spangler, he was immensely relieved +to find that worthy sitting up in the road and drawing +a hand over his dazed eyes.</p> + +<p>"What—what happened?" faltered Spangler.</p> + +<p>"Nothing to what's going to happen now, Spangler," +answered Matt, and picked up the second and last revolver +which the ruffian had had about him.</p> + +<p>"There ought to be some ropes in the runabout, Josh," +called Matt. "Go and get them."</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">MOTOR MATT'S TEN-STRIKE.</p> + + +<p>Josh hustled for the runabout. One of the coiled +ropes Matt had put in the car was hanging over a lamp, +and the other had been thrown into the road. Taking +the one off the lamp, the boy hurried back to the place +where Matt was training the revolver on Spangler.</p> + +<p>"Fine bizness!" laughed Josh. "Wot d'yous want me +t' do, Matt? Put a bow-knot on his lunch-hooks?"</p> + +<p>"Stand up, Spangler!" ordered Matt.</p> + +<p>Spangler got lamely to his feet. He was still confused +and bewildered.</p> + +<p>"Somethin' hit us," he mumbled. "From the way I +was throwed it must hev been a landslide. Whar's +Hank? Is he killed?"</p> + +<p>"Brisco will get along, I guess," said Matt. "Put your +hands behind you, Spangler."</p> + +<p>Just then, for the first time, it began to dawn on +Spangler that Matt was making a prisoner out of him. +The ruffian, although practically uninjured, had been +badly shaken up. Nevertheless, he was in condition to +resist, and he leaped backward, swearing.</p> + +<p>"If ye think ye kin rope, down an' tie me," he cried, +"jest bekase that thar machine bucked an' dumped me +inter the road, ye got another——"</p> + +<p>"Come this way!" cut in Matt.</p> + +<p>The words, hard and keen, jumped at Spangler like so +many knife-points. Motor Matt meant business, and +showed it in every movement.</p> + +<p>Spangler stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"That's far enough," snapped Matt. "Now put those +hands behind you."</p> + +<p>With the open end of his own gun staring him in the +face, there was nothing for Spangler to do but to obey. +His hands went meekly behind him.</p> + +<p>"Can you tie a good hard knot, Josh?" asked Matt.</p> + +<p>"T'ink I ain't good f'r nuttin'?" protested the boy.</p> + +<p>Passing behind Spangler, he used the free end of the +rope for a few moments and then stepped back with the +rest of the coil in his hands.</p> + +<p>"If he gits dem mitts out o' dat he's a good 'un," announced +Josh. "W'ere d'yous want him, Matt?"</p> + +<p>"In the Red Flier. Step lively, Spangler. We've got +to look after Brisco."</p> + +<p>"Get ap!" clucked Josh, shaking the rope.</p> + +<p>With a black scowl on his face, the baffled Spangler +made his way to the touring-car.</p> + +<p>"Get in on the back seat," went on Matt.</p> + +<p>Spangler obeyed the order.</p> + +<p>"Now, Josh," pursued Matt, "cut the rope and tie a +piece of it around his feet."</p> + +<p>The boy finished the work expeditiously, and when he +and Matt drew away from the Red Flier they left Spangler +helpless and fuming in the tonneau.</p> + +<p>Brisco was still lying where he had fallen, and he was +still unconscious. Matt made a more thorough examination +of him. His pulse was stronger and, so far as Matt +could discover, there were no broken bones.</p> + +<p>"Wot keeps 'im in a trance?" asked the boy. "He's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +stayin' a long time in de Land o' Nod for not havin' +nuttin' wrong wit' 'im."</p> + +<p>"Pick up his revolver, Josh," returned Matt briskly, +"and then sit down beside him and wait till he gets his +wits back. Don't let him get away from you."</p> + +<p>"Get away from me? Not on yer life, cull. I'd radder +take dis mutt into Fairview dan pull down a t'ousan' in +de long green. Dad wants <i>him</i>."</p> + +<p>Paying no attention to the boy's rather obscure remark, +Matt went to the runabout. He was expecting to find the +machine badly smashed, and was happily disappointed.</p> + +<p>Both front lamps were broken, and the mud-guard over +the right wheel forward had been ripped away. The +guard had fallen between the wheel and the rock, and +undoubtedly had kept the wheel from being dished. The +tire was punctured and the jolt had disabled the motor. +For all that, however, the machine, with a few temporary +repairs, could travel on its own wheels if not under its +own power.</p> + +<p>Brisco had not yet corralled his wits. Aided by Josh, +Matt dragged the man off to one side, where he would +be out of the way; then, cutting about six feet of rope +from the other riata, he threw it down where Josh could +get at it.</p> + +<p>"When Brisco wakes up, Josh," said Matt, "just hold +him steady till we put that rope on him."</p> + +<p>"Wot yous goin' t' do, Matt?" inquired the wondering +Josh. "Yous is busier dan a monkey wit' his hand in a +coconut."</p> + +<p>"We're going to haul the runabout into Fairview," +said Matt. "But I've got to patch her up first."</p> + +<p>Getting into the Red Flier, Matt backed her as close +to the disabled car as he could; then, hitching onto the +runabout with the ropes, he pulled it down onto the level +plain.</p> + +<p>With a jack taken from the touring-car he swung the +runabout's wheel off the ground. The mud-guard, having +been ripped off, was not in his way. After locating the +puncture and marking it with chalk, he unscrewed the +wing-nuts, pushed out the security-bolt, and then, with +levers, dug out the inner tube.</p> + +<p>Perhaps he was an hour getting the hole patched up, +tire back in place and reinflated. When he was through, +the runabout was ready to be dragged to Fairview.</p> + +<p>"How's Brisco?" asked Matt, putting on his leather +coat, which he had thrown off while working with the +runabout.</p> + +<p>"Same as wot he was, cull," replied Josh. "He ain't +twitched an eye-winker."</p> + +<p>"He may be shamming," said Matt, "in the hope of +making a bolt for his liberty. We'll put him in the +tonneau. You can ride with him and watch him every +minute. I'll take Spangler in front with me."</p> + +<p>"We're goin' t' take de hull outfit into Fairview?" +grinned Josh.</p> + +<p>"That's the idea."</p> + +<p>"A whale of an idee it is, too, an' no stringin'. Reg'lar +line-up o' crooks an' stolen automobiles, wit' Motor Matt +in charge o' de bunch. Wow! It's de biggest come-easy +dat I ever mixed up wit'. Mebby dere won't be rejoicin' +w'en we goes pokin' into town wit' all dis load. +Well, I guess yes."</p> + +<p>Between them, Matt and Josh succeeded in carrying +Brisco to the touring-car and getting him into the tonneau.</p> + +<p>Spangler, having been transferred to one of the front +seats, had been chewing the cud of reflection.</p> + +<p>"Looky here, Motor Matt," said he, "ye ain't got no +call ter kerry me ter Fairview. Think o' Klegg, down +an' out an' mebby dyin' back thar in that notch. If anythin' +happens ter him ye'll be responsible. Better turn +me loose an' let me go back an' take keer o' him."</p> + +<p>"Don't do so much worrying over Klegg," answered +Matt. "I intend to have him looked after. Just as soon +as we get to Fairview I'll have the sheriff, or some other +officer, go to the notch and see that Klegg gets all the +attention he deserves."</p> + +<p>"Waal, even at that, ye ain't got no call ter lug me +inter town. I ain't done a thing. Brisco was the feller +that had it in fer you. It's him ye want ter git even with, +an' not me."</p> + +<p>"You didn't have a hand in robbing Mr. Tomlinson, +did you?" said Matt sarcastically. "There are a lot of +other things you've done, too, and I'm going to turn you +over to Lem Nugent, the man who owns the runabout, +as soon as we reach Fairview. It won't take long to get +Nugent up from Ash Forks."</p> + +<p>"Yous is a game loser, I don't t'ink," scoffed the boy. +"W'ere's yer nerve, Spangler?"</p> + +<p>"Say," said Spangler, giving his attention to Josh, +"where did you butt inter this game?"</p> + +<p>"I rode out o' Fairview wit' Brisco," grinned Josh. +"He give me a ride."</p> + +<p>"Give ye a ride?" echoed Spangler.</p> + +<p>"Sure, on'y he didn't know it. I was under de coat in +de back o' de runabout; an' I was still dere w'en yous +mutts went t' dat hole in de wall. 'Course yous didn't +see me. Yous was too mad at Motor Matt t' see anyt'ing."</p> + +<p>The whole situation rushed over Spangler with demoralizing +clearness. He was able to understand how +Josh and Matt, by the exercise of pluck and brains, had +succeeded in balking the plans of Brisco.</p> + +<p>Spangler swore heartily. It seemed to be his only +method for easing his feelings.</p> + +<p>"The worst move we ever made," he muttered savagely, +"was takin' Motor Matt out o' town last night. I +didn't want ter do it, but Brisco had made up his mind, +an' that settled it. We ain't got no one ter blame but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +ourselves fer what's happened. Go on. The quicker we +git ter Fairview an' hev this thing over with, the better +I'll be suited."</p> + +<p>Spangler, resigning himself to the situation, sank back +in his seat.</p> + +<p>Matt went around to the rear of the car to make the +ropes attaching it to the runabout more secure. As near +as he had been able to discover there was a level road all +the way to Fairview. They were coming into the town +from the north and east, and not along the Ash Fork +road, where there was a hill to be descended in order to +reach the valley.</p> + +<p>Having reassured himself about the ropes, Matt returned +to the side of the Red Flier and mounted the +running-board. Looking over the side of the tonneau, +he swept his gaze over Brisco's unconscious face.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand what keeps him that way, Josh," +said Matt.</p> + +<p>"Mebby he's badly shook up inside," answered the boy. +"Wot he needs is a doctor."</p> + +<p>"Well, he'll have one before long. Stay right beside +him and watch him every minute. If he's playing possum +with us, we want to make sure he don't gain anything +by it."</p> + +<p>"I'm right on de job," said Josh.</p> + +<p>Matt climbed into his seat and started on the low +gear. There was a creaking of the ropes as they took the +pull, and the runabout started.</p> + +<p>Everything worked smoothly, and Matt, with a load +worth fifteen hundred dollars, set his face toward Fairview.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">MORE TROUBLE FOR THE "UNCLE TOMMERS."</p> + + +<p>The disappearance of Motor Matt and the Red Flier +made Carl Pretzel not only bewildered but furiously +angry. He was angry at Brisco and bewildered to account +for the way he had pulled off his night raid.</p> + +<p>"Oof dot feller inchures a hair oof Modor Matt's +headt," wheezed Carl, shaking his fist in the air, "I vill +camp by his drail, py chimineddy! I vill go on some +var-paths! I vill make him be sorry for vat he dit, yah, +so helup me!"</p> + +<p>Leaving Carl to rant and vow vengeance, Legree +rushed over to the railroad-station and sent a message. +The message, owing to financial embarrassment on the +part of Legree, had to go collect.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p> + +"<span class="smcap">Lem Nugent</span>, Ash Fork.<br /> +</p> + +<p>"Come at once to Fairview. Important developments +regarding your automobile.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">Motor Matt.</span>"<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Legree signed the message with Matt's name because +he knew the cattleman wouldn't know anything about a +man named Legree; and he also felt sure that Motor +Matt's name would secure the cattleman's instant attention.</p> + +<p>On his way back to the hotel he inquired for the +sheriff. Fairview was too small to have a sheriff, but +the town had a deputy sheriff. The deputy, however, +was just then attending his father's golden-wedding, in +Flagstaff, the marshal had gone with him, and the town +was without an officer.</p> + +<p>As if this was not sufficiently discouraging, when Legree +got back to the hotel he found a very disquieting +state of affairs.</p> + +<p>The Uncle Tommers had been chased out of the hostelry +by O'Grady and Ping Pong, his Chinese cook. They +were gathered in a forlorn group in front, and Carl +Pretzel was with them.</p> + +<p>"Mistah O'Grady, sah," Uncle Tom was saying with +all the dignity he could work up, "Ah's de official mascot +ob Motah Matt. While Ah's been stayin' in yo' 'stablishment, +Ah's been mascottin' fo' him. He will come back, +yo' ma'k what Ah say. Gib us ouah breakfus en yo' +sho gits yo' money!"</p> + +<p>"Begorry, yez have got into me f'r all yez are goin' +to," yelled the proprietor. "It's a passel av thramps yez +are, iv'ry wan av yez! Av th' marshal was in town, +Oi'd have yez all in th' cooler. Get out, befure Oi sic +th' dog on yez! Scatther!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter here?" demanded Legree, pushing +to the front.</p> + +<p>"Py chincher," flared Carl, "dot Irish feller t'inks ve +vas vorkin' some shkin games on him. He vas grazier +as a pedpug, und he von't gif us some preakfast."</p> + +<p>"En we's all hongry es sin," piped Uncle Tom plaintively. +"Ah been mascottin' fo' Motah Matt twell Ah's +dat fagged Ah dunno whut Ah's about, no, sah."</p> + +<p>"I tried to get him to take my ring, Legree," put in +Eliza, "but he won't. He says we're only a lot of dead +beats, and never intend to pay him."</p> + +<p>"Ah tole him," spoke up Topsy, "dat Ah'd wuk in his +kitchum fo' de price ob a breakfus, an' he wouldn' hab it. +Ah's honest, dat's whut Ah is. Ah nebber stole a cent +fum anybody en mah life."</p> + +<p>"See here, O'Grady," remarked Legree, "Motor Matt +has money and he has offered to pay our expenses while +we're stopping with you. I'll have money myself in a few +days, and then I'll pay you. You're not taking any +chances on this crowd."</p> + +<p>"Faith, an' yez are roight about thot," scowled +O'Grady. "Oi'm takin' no more chances wid yez. Motor +Matt! Why, he run aff lasht noight! Sure, he did! He +shneaked away so he wouldn't have t' pay me f'r yer +kape. Oi'm keen enough t' see thot!"</p> + +<p>"Py shinks," whooped Carl, dancing around and waving +his fists, "don'd you say dod some more. I can lick der<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +feller vat says somet'ings aboudt Modor Matt like dot. +Ven he say he pay, he mean vot he say, und he do it, +too. Yah, you bed you! Modor Matt vas my bard, und +he don'd vas leafing a bard in der lurch like vat you say."</p> + +<p>"Av Motor Matt is yer pard," said O'Grady, "bedad +but it's sthrange yez haven't money. Git out, Oi say! +Oi'm done wid yez."</p> + +<p>"I tell you," went on Legree, "I'll have money myself +in a few days."</p> + +<p>"Yez can't make me belave any cock-an'-bull shtory +like thot. Niver again will Oi take in anny wan widout +baggage. Shoo! Clear out befure Oi git violent."</p> + +<p>In O'Grady's present temper there was no reasoning +with him, so Legree marshaled his comrades and led +them off to a neighboring wood-pile, where they all sat +down disconsolately.</p> + +<p>"Ah's been accustomed tuh bettah treatment," mourned +Uncle Tom. "Ah's got de bigges' notion dat evah was +tuh put a hoodoo on dat hotel. Ah could do hit, but Ah +restrains mahse'f till Ah gits odahs fum Motah Matt."</p> + +<p>"Go 'long wif sich talk!" cried Topsy, out of patience. +"'Peahs lak yo' done put dat hoodoo on de rest ob us. +Nuffin' ain't gone right sence we left dat 'ar Brockville +place."</p> + +<p>"There'll be some one here from Ash Fork before long, +who, maybe, will help us," said Legree. "Just be as +patient as you can, friends, and we'll hope for the best."</p> + +<p>"All de patience in de worl', Mistah Legree," answered +Uncle Tom, "'doan' fill a pusson's stummick. Mah goodness, +Ah didun' know Ah was so pesterin' hongry."</p> + +<p>"I tell you somet'ing," said Carl, "oof I knowed vich +vay Modor Matt vas, I vould go und findt him. I vas +madt as some vet hens ofer dis pitzness. Here ve vas, +hung oop on a vood-pile mit nodding to eat, und not +knowing vere Modor Matt vent mit himseluf. Chonny +Hartluck iss hanging aroundt mit us."</p> + +<p>Leaving his disconsolate friends, Legree went back to +the railroad-station. There he waited for four hours for +the local train from Ash Fork. He was rewarded, however, +by seeing a big man get off the train, stop on the +platform, and look around expectantly.</p> + +<p>Legree walked up to the arriving passenger.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Nugent?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"You've hit it," replied the cattleman, staring the +stranded actor up and down with an unfavoring eye.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Well, sir, my name's Legree. I suppose you're +looking for Motor Matt?"</p> + +<p>"Another bull's-eye for you. I came here on a telegram +from Motor Matt saying that there had been important +developments concerning my automobile that was +stolen from me near Ash Fork. Where's Motor Matt?"</p> + +<p>"He is unavoidably absent just now," answered Legree, +"but I am confidently expecting him to appear at +any moment. To be frank with you, sir, I sent that +telegram and signed Motor Matt's name to it."</p> + +<p>The cattleman became indignant.</p> + +<p>"You're pretty fresh, seems to me!" said he. "What +business had you doing a thing like that?"</p> + +<p>"Because I wanted you here. Your car was in town +yesterday. One of the thieves brought it in for a supply +of gasoline and oil. Motor Matt and I tried to capture +the thief, but he got away from us and took the car with +him."</p> + +<p>"Who are you, if you haven't any objection to answerin' +a straight question?" demanded the cattleman.</p> + +<p>"Step into the waiting-room with me for a few moments," +replied Legree, "and I'll explain."</p> + +<p>They went into the waiting-room and were gone possibly +five minutes. When they came out on the platform +once more, Nugent seemed to have developed a vast +amount of confidence in Legree.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you tell Motor Matt what you've told +me?" asked the cattleman.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't telling anybody that, Mr. Nugent," answered +Legree, "and I wouldn't be telling you now if I hadn't +wanted to fix things with O'Grady so that I and my +friends can continue to remain at his hotel."</p> + +<p>"I know O'Grady," said Nugent. "Come along with +me and I'll fix things up for you."</p> + +<p>They went to the hotel at once. O'Grady, tilted back +against the wall in front, was smoking a pipe and keeping +a sharp eye on the wood-pile.</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom, with a red bandanna over his face, was +leaning back against the wood and was apparently asleep. +All the rest were hovering listlessly about, waiting patiently +for something to happen.</p> + +<p>The sight of Lem Nugent, who was known throughout +all that part of the country, wrought a great change in +O'Grady. The cattleman and the actor were approaching +together, and seemed to be on cordial terms.</p> + +<p>"O'Grady," said Nugent, after he had exchanged greetings +with the proprietor, "this gentleman is a friend of +mine, and his friends are my friends, understand? Take +them all in and give them the best you've got. And don't +bleed me, you shyster. I'll stand the damage, but I won't +be robbed."</p> + +<p>"Whativer yez say goes wid me, Lem," said O'Grady. +"Come on, all av yez," he cried, standing up and motioning +toward the wood-pile. "Oi'll have th' Chink put +a male on th' table f'r yez to wanst."</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom may have been asleep, but he heard those +welcome words and was up like a shot.</p> + +<p>"Ah was mascottin fo' dat very t'ing," he admitted, +as he ran toward the hotel. "Layin' back dar wid mah +bandannah ober mah face, Ah was wukin' lak er hiahed +man, yassuh. Now, den, yo' Topsy, yo' see what Ah kin +do when Ah lays mahse'f out!"</p> + +<p>Just as they were starting into the hotel, a shout from +Carl brought them all to a halt and an about-face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hoop-a-la!" yelled Carl, dancing around and throwing +his cap in the air. "Look vonce ad vat's coming! +Vat dit I say? Here vas a drain oof cars, mit Modor +Matt pringing dem in. Ach, himmel, I peen so habby as +I can't dell! Modor Matt iss coming!"</p> + +<p>Under the startled eyes of those in front of the hotel +two cars could be seen coming along the road. The Red +Flier, with Matt and three passengers, was in the lead, +and towing behind was the runabout.</p> + +<p>"My car, by thunder!" shouted Nugent, starting for +the road.</p> + +<p>"And Spangler is with Motor Matt," cried the amazed +Legree, "and Brisco, and the kid! How in blazes do you +think that happened?"</p> + +<p>A disgusted look crossed Uncle Tom's face.</p> + +<p>"How yo' t'ink dat happened!" he muttered sarcastically; +"en me a-mascottin' fo' Motah Matt all de time!"</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></h2> + +<p class="chaptitle">CONCLUSION.</p> + + +<p>Whether O'Grady really thought Motor Matt had +taken French leave during the night or not, is a question. +Certainly he was as surprised to see Matt traveling into +town as were any of the rest of them.</p> + +<p>All those around the hotel flocked to the road.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Matt!" called Nugent, reaching up his hand. +"It looks like you'd been accomplishing something."</p> + +<p>Matt's acquaintance with the cattleman had been of +exceedingly brief duration, and never before had he been +hailed by him in that cordial tone.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Mr. Nugent?" he returned, taking the +cattleman's hand. "How did you happen to come over +this way?"</p> + +<p>"Got a telegram from you——"</p> + +<p>"From me?" echoed Matt.</p> + +<p>"I sent it, Matt," put in Legree, "and signed your +name to it. When you disappeared last night I knew +something had to be done, and that there ought to be a +man with money to do it. So I sent for Nugent."</p> + +<p>"It's all right, my boy," said Nugent, "and I'm tickled +to death because I came. You're bringing in my car, I +see, and the two fellows that took it away from me. +Good! If we don't put 'em through for their crooked +work, my name ain't Nugent."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to send for a doctor for Brisco," said +Matt. "He's been unconscious for two hours, and I don't +know whether he's badly hurt or not. You see——"</p> + +<p>At that moment Brisco proved that he was far from +being badly hurt. With a jump he got out of the tonneau +and started at a run toward the edge of town. Uncle +Tom happened to be in his way, and was knocked heels +over head.</p> + +<p>"Dere he goes!" yelled Josh excitedly. "Clear out o' +de way so I kin git a shot at 'im!"</p> + +<p>But Josh was not allowed to carry out his warlike intentions. +Legree took after the escaping ruffian, overhauled +him before he had gone far, grabbed him by the +shoulders, and hurled him to the ground.</p> + +<p>O'Grady, rushing to Legree's assistance, lent a willing +hand. Brisco had been a good customer of O'Grady's, +but the situation had changed somewhat since the Uncle +Tommers had been staying at the Shamrock Hotel.</p> + +<p>"I reckon, Matt," remarked Lem Nugent dryly, "that +the fellow ain't very badly hurt. How did you happen +to get hold of the scoundrels?"</p> + +<p>"They were chasing us," answered Matt. "We were +in the Red Flier and they were in your car. Brisco ran +into the rocks, and he and Spangler were thrown out. +Neither of them seemed very much hurt, and Josh and I +captured Spangler before he had fully got back his wits. +Brisco appeared to be all right, but he was unconscious. +I had an idea that he might be shamming. Probably he +came to himself just as we got here, and thought the +best thing for him to do would be to make a break."</p> + +<p>"His break didn't help him any," said Legree, as he +and O'Grady came marching back with Brisco between +them. "Go up to my room, Josh," Legree went on, "and +get those two plates. You'll find 'em under the northeast +corner of the carpet. Front room, boy."</p> + +<p>"Dat's me," answered Josh, handing Brisco's weapons +to his father and bounding away.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to tell you people something," proceeded +Legree, "that will no doubt surprise you. And I think," +he finished grimly, "that Brisco will be as much surprised +as anybody."</p> + +<p>Josh presently returned with a couple of flat, square +packages. Leaving O'Grady to take care of Brisco, +Legree took the packages in his hands.</p> + +<p>"A crook by the name of Denver Denny, alias James +Trymore," went on Legree, "escaped from the authorities +at Denver and came to this part of the country. Denver +Denny was a clever counterfeiter, and worked in conjunction +with Hank Brisco. At least, following the output +of the 'queer' as it trailed along in the wake of that +Uncle Tom's Cabin Company, I came to that conclusion.</p> + +<p>"Denny owned a set of very fine plates for the manufacture +of bogus five-dollar silver certificates. When he +was captured in Denver those plates were nowhere to be +found. I conceived the notion that they might be in +Brisco's possession, and in order to make sure, I became +letter-perfect in the part of Legree, and Josh here got the +part of Little Eva by heart, and we arranged to join +Brisco's company of barn-stormers.</p> + +<p>"We were with them for some time, watching Brisco +all the while. Brisco was not shoving any of the 'queer' +while we were with him, and I was inclined to think that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +I had made a mistake in connecting him with Denny's +operations. However, Brisco had a little tin box, of +which he was very choice and careful. His solicitude +for that box aroused my curiosity. When Brisco pulled +out between two days in Denver, and left his company +stranded, by some freak of chance he dropped the box. +Josh found it. We opened the box in Ash Fork and +found these two packages in it." Legree lifted the two +flat parcels so all could see. "I knew perfectly well that +Brisco would come after his box, so I continued to play +the part of a stranded actor, hoping to get my hands on +him.</p> + +<p>"Fate was kind to us," and here Legree turned and +dropped a friendly hand on the young motorist's shoulder, +"by bringing Motor Matt along. He came to the +front gallantly and helped us. I should have captured +Brisco sooner or later, even without his aid, but he has +closed the affair in hurricane fashion and saved the government +lots of trouble."</p> + +<p>Everybody, Uncle Tommers, Matt, Carl, and Brisco +and Spangler, were astounded. Nugent was the solitary +exception, for Legree had revealed his identity to the +cattleman in the railroad-station.</p> + +<p>"These are the plates," went on Legree. "Brisco had +them in the tin box."</p> + +<p>"And you are——" began Matt, staring at Legree.</p> + +<p>"A secret service man in the employ of the government."</p> + +<p>A cry of fierce anger escaped Brisco. He made a +fierce attempt to get at Legree, but O'Grady restrained +him.</p> + +<p>"Faith," said O'Grady, with cheerful disregard of his +past actions, "Oi knowed yez was a bad egg th' minyit +Oi set eyes on yez."</p> + +<p>"Dis," remarked Uncle Tom, with immense pride, "is +de best job ob mascottin' whut Ah's done yit!"</p> + +<p>"Better give up, Brisco!" called Spangler from the +touring-car. "They've got it on us an' we'll have ter +take our medicine."</p> + +<p>"Got it on us, yes," stormed Brisco, "but they wouldn't +have done it if it hadn't been for Motor Matt."</p> + +<p>"Not so quick, I'll admit," said Legree amiably, "but +I'd have caught you sooner or later, Brisco. In my report +I shall have something to say to the head of the +department about Motor Matt. I'd like to hear, though, +just how he happened to make this haul."</p> + +<p>"Josh helped me," said Matt.</p> + +<p>"Not enough so yous could notice it," returned Josh +promptly; "Motor Matt was de man on de job from +start t' finish. Yous take it from Little Eva, an' no +stringin'."</p> + +<p>The boy turned to Matt with a wide grin.</p> + +<p>"Yous is wise t' why I went off wit' Brisco in dat +runabout now, ain't yous? I wanted t' find out w'ere +he had 'is hang-out so dad could turn a trick fer de +gov'ment. But yous cut out dad, Matt."</p> + +<p>"Listen, vonce," cried Carl, who had been trying for +some time to get in a few words, "Matt's der pest efer. +He prings luck venefer he goes mit anypody. Yah, dot's +righdt. I know, pecause he prought luck mit me."</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom was disposed to butt in with an objection, +but the cattleman had something to say.</p> + +<p>"There's fifteen hundred of my money goes to somebody +for all this," said he. "Who gets it, Matt?"</p> + +<p>"Divide it up between all of us," answered the boy +generously. "The Uncle Tommers need it."</p> + +<p>A shout of delight went up from the actor contingent.</p> + +<p>"You can leave Josh in the division," said Legree, "but +cut me out of it. I'm working for Uncle Sam."</p> + +<p>Just at that moment the Chinaman stepped to the door +and announced dinner.</p> + +<p>"We'll talk all this over while we eat," said Nugent. +"Come on, everybody."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Motor Matt and Carl, having lost more time in Fairview +than they could well afford, started for Albuquerque +early in the afternoon.</p> + +<p>Eliza, Topsy, and Uncle Tom, now well supplied with +money, were to proceed to Denver by train.</p> + +<p>The secret service man and Josh were to remain in +Fairview for a few days with their prisoners, and then +to take them to Denver for trial.</p> + +<p>"Matt," said Carl seriously, as the Red Flier leaped +onward toward Albuquerque, "I vas a lucky feller to hook +oop mit you. Vone oof dose tays, oof you don'd go pack +on me, I vill vear tiamonts!"</p> + +<p>"I'll never go back on you, Carl," laughed Matt; "but +I'm a little 'juberous' about the diamonds."</p> + + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + + + + +<p class="center medium">THE NEXT NUMBER (7) WILL CONTAIN</p> +<p class="center huge">MOTOR MATT'S CLUE;</p> +<p class="center medium">OR,</p> +<p class="center large">THE PHANTOM AUTO.</p> + + +<blockquote> + +<p>A Night Mystery—Dick Ferral—La Vita Place—The +House of Wonder—Sercomb—The Phantom +Auto Again—Surrounded by Enemies—The +Kettle Begins to Boil—Ordered Away—A New +Plan—A Daring Leap—Desperate Villiany—Tippoo—In +the Nick of Time—A Startling Interruption—The +Price of Treachery—The Luck of +Dick Ferral.</p></blockquote> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + + + + +<table summary="scaffold" class="bbox"> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="tdc huge">MOTOR STORIES</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr large" style="padding-right: .25em;">THRILLING ADVENTURE</td><td class="tdl large" style="padding-left: .25em;">MOTOR FICTION</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="center bb bt">NEW YORK, April 3, 1909.</p> + + +<p class="center"><b>TERMS TO MOTOR STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS.</b></p> + +<p class="center">(<i>Postage Free.</i>)</p> + +<p class="center"><b>Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each.</b></p> + +<table summary="Terms"> +<tr><td>3 months</td><td class="tdr">65c.</td></tr> +<tr><td>4 months</td><td class="tdr">85c.</td></tr> +<tr><td>6 months</td><td class="tdr">$1.25</td></tr> +<tr><td>One year</td><td class="tdr">2.50</td></tr> +<tr><td>2 copies one year</td><td class="tdr">4.00</td></tr> +<tr><td>1 copy two years</td><td class="tdr">4.00</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><b>How to Send Money</b>—By post-office or express money-order, +registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent +by currency, coin, or postage-stamps in ordinary letter.</p> + +<p><b>Receipts</b>—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper +change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly +credited, and should let us know at once.</p> + +<table summary="scaffold"> +<tr><td> +<span class="smcap">Ormond G. Smith</span>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">George C. Smith</span>, +</td> +<td style="font-size: 200%">}</td><td style="padding-right: 1em;"><i>Proprietors</i>.</td> +<td class="tdc"> +<b>STREET & SMITH, Publishers,<br /> +79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City.</b> +</td></tr></table> +<hr class="chap" /> + + + +<h2><a name="A_SNOWBALL_FIGHT" id="A_SNOWBALL_FIGHT">A SNOWBALL FIGHT.</a></h2> +<hr class="r5" /> +<p class="center">By HORATIO ALGER, Jr.</p> +<hr class="r5" /> + + +<p>The snow had fallen to the depth of six inches during the +night, filling in the yards and covering the door-steps, +throughout the town of Conway. Among those who hailed +the arrival of the snow with joy was Frank Taylor, a boy +of fourteen, the son of the Widow Taylor, who lived in a +miserable little tenement not far from the mill. Why he was +glad to see the snow will soon appear.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning he shoveled a path to the street, +and then putting his shovel over his shoulder, said to his +mother:</p> + +<p>"I'm going over to Squire Ashmead's to see if he doesn't +want me to shovel paths in his yard."</p> + +<p>"He's got a boy of his own," said Mrs. Taylor; "perhaps +he will do it."</p> + +<p>Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>"Sam Ashmead is proud and lazy," he said. "You won't +catch him shoveling paths. I think I shall get the job. I +want to earn something so that you need not sit all day +sewing. It is too hard for you."</p> + +<p>"I ought to think myself lucky to get employment at all," +said the widow.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could get steady work somewhere," said Frank; +"but I've tried and tried, and it seems impossible."</p> + +<p>"Willing hands will not want work long," said his mother.</p> + +<p>"I hope not, mother. But I must be going, or somebody +will get the start of me."</p> + +<p>While Frank is on his way to Squire Ashmead's, a few +words of explanation may be given. His mother had been a +widow for two years. Her husband had been a man of some +education, having at times taught school, but he had never +succeeded in laying up any money, and his widow was left +almost penniless. Frank, who was a stout boy, and a good +boy as well, had earned something by doing odd jobs, but +had failed to obtain permanent employment. The burden +of their joint support, therefore, was thrown upon his +mother, who was very industrious with her needle, but was +compelled to labor beyond her strength. All this troubled +Frank, who felt that, as a stout, strong boy, he ought to bear +at least half the expense.</p> + +<p>In due time he reached Squire Ashmead's, and was glad +to see that the snow remained undisturbed.</p> + +<p>He rang the bell, and asked if he might shovel the paths +that were necessary.</p> + +<p>Squire Ashmead was absent in New York, to which city +he had gone the morning previous on business, but his wife +agreed to employ Frank.</p> + +<p>He went to work with a will, and soon had a path dug +from the front door to the gate. A path was also required +from the back door to the stable, which was situated in the +rear of the house. This was quite a distance, and as Frank +wished to do the work thoroughly, it required considerable +time.</p> + +<p>He was about half through this portion of his task when +a snowball whistled by his ear.</p> + +<p>Looking round quickly, he saw Sam Ashmead standing at +the corner of the house, engaged in making a fresh snowball.</p> + +<p>"Don't fire any more snowballs, Sam Ashmead," said +Frank.</p> + +<p>"I shall, if I please," said Sam.</p> + +<p>"I haven't time to fire back now," said Frank. "Wait till +I get through, and we'll have a match if you like."</p> + +<p>"But I don't like," said Sam scornfully. "Do you think +I would have a match with a beggar like you?"</p> + +<p>"I am no beggar, Sam Ashmead," said Frank, "and if +I were I don't think I would beg of you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're mighty proud," sneered Sam, "considering that +you live in an old hut not half as good as our stable."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am poor, and I live in a poor house," said Frank +calmly, "but that isn't a crime that I know of. Some time I +shall live in a better house, I hope."</p> + +<p>So saying, he went back to work, and began shoveling +the snow vigorously. He did not anticipate any further +attack from Sam, but in this he soon found himself mistaken.</p> + +<p>In the course of a minute he felt a pretty hard blow in the +center of his back, and looking round saw Sam Ashmead +laughing insolently.</p> + +<p>"How does that feel?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"That's the second snowball you've fired at me," said +Frank quietly, but there was a light in his eyes as he spoke. +"I advise you not to fire another if you know what is good +for yourself."</p> + +<p>"So you threaten me, do you? Suppose I fire again, what's +going to happen?" demanded Sam, with an unpleasant sneer.</p> + +<p>"I think you will be sorry for it," said Frank.</p> + +<p>Sam hesitated a moment, but only a moment. He was a +year older than Frank, and larger in size. Certainly he +ought to be a match for him. But he did not believe that +Frank would have the audacity to touch him, the son of +Squire Ashmead, the richest man in the village. He therefore +deliberately made another snowball, and firing it, +struck Frank in the back of his head.</p> + +<p>Frank no sooner felt the blow than he threw down his +shovel, and ran toward his assailant.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Keep off, you beggar!" said Sam.</p> + +<p>"It's too late," said Frank. "I warned you not to fire +again."</p> + +<p>Sam placed himself in an attitude of defense, but found +himself seized violently round the middle, and before he +fairly knew what was going to happen he was lying in a +snow-bank with Frank standing over him.</p> + +<p>He struggled to his feet mad with rage, and "pitched +into" Frank, as the boys express it, and endeavored to retaliate +in kind. But Frank was watchful and wary, and evading +the attack, seized him again when his strength was half +spent, and Sam found himself once more occupying an involuntary +bed in the snow.</p> + +<p>A third struggle resulted in the same way. Sam was +furious, but he saw that Frank was more than a match for +him.</p> + +<p>Just then a servant called out from the door:</p> + +<p>"Master Sam, your mother says it's time for you to be +going to school."</p> + +<p>To tell the truth, Sam was rather glad of the summons, as +it gave him an excuse for retiring from the contest.</p> + +<p>"I'll be even with you yet," he said, shaking his fist at +Frank. "I'll let my father know how you insulted me, you +young beggar!"</p> + +<p>"If anybody has been insulted, I have," said Frank. "You +must remember that you began it."</p> + +<p>Sam scowled vindictively, and brushing the snow from his +coat went into the house. Before Frank finished the path +at the back of the house he was gone to school.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ashmead sent out fifty cents to Frank for his morning's +work, with which he went home, well satisfied, wishing +that he might earn as much every day. He wondered a little +whether Sam would tell his father what had occurred between +them. He did not speak of it to his mother, for she +was nervous, and would be troubled by it, as she received +considerable work to do from the Ashmead family which she +might fear would be taken away.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of the next day, however, Frank received +a note, which proved to come from Squire Ashmead. It ran +as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Frank Taylor</span>: Please call at my office to-morrow morning +at ten o'clock.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">James Ashmead.</span>"<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>This note Frank thought best to show to his mother.</p> + +<p>"What does it mean, Frank? Have you any idea?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>Frank thereupon told her the story of his difficulty with +Sam.</p> + +<p>"It may be about that," he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," said the widow. "I'm afraid he's very angry. +I hope you will apologize, Frank."</p> + +<p>"No, mother," said Frank, "I don't see why I should. I +only defended myself from a bully. I should be ashamed +to do anything else. I didn't hurt him, and didn't intend to, +but I wanted to teach him that he couldn't insult me without +having to pay for it."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid some harm will come of it," said the widow +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Don't trouble yourself, mother," said Frank soothingly. +"If we do only what's right, God will take care of us."</p> + +<p>Still it was with some anxiety that Frank made his way +the next morning to the office of Squire Ashmead. This +gentleman was the agent of a large manufactory in the town, +of which also he was a considerable owner, so that he received +an income of over ten thousand dollars a year, which +made him the most prominent and influential citizen in the +town.</p> + +<p>When Frank entered the office, Squire Ashmead was conversing +with a stranger on business.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," he said, turning to Frank. "I will be at +leisure in a moment."</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, after the stranger had departed, "Sam +tells me you and he have had a little difficulty."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said Frank. "I would like to explain how it +occurred."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Go on."</p> + +<p>It will be unnecessary to give the explanation, as it was +strictly in accordance with the facts.</p> + +<p>"Do you blame me for what I did?" asked Frank, at the +end.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not," said the squire. "Sam acted like a bully, +and was properly punished. Let that pass. Now let me ask +you how you and your mother are getting along?"</p> + +<p>"Poorly, sir," said Frank. "If I could have steady work, +it would be different, but that I cannot get. It troubles me +to see my mother work so hard all day. I think it is too +much for her."</p> + +<p>"How would you like to come into my office?"</p> + +<p>Frank's eyes sparkled.</p> + +<p>"I should think myself very lucky, sir, to get so good a +chance."</p> + +<p>"I want some boy whom I can trust, who can grow up to +the business, and after a time relieve me of a portion of my +cares. I would take Sam, but I am sorry to say, though he +is my own son, that he would not answer my purpose. I +have heard good accounts of you from your teacher and the +people in the village. I will take you at a salary of six dollars +a week, to be increased from time to time if you will +suit me. Can you come Monday morning?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said Frank, "and I will do my best to give you +satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"Very well, my lad. Good morning."</p> + +<p>Frank left the office, feeling as if his fortune was made. +His mother, who was awaiting the result of the interview +anxiously at home, was overwhelmed with astonishment at +the unexpected good fortune of her son. Sam was disagreeably +surprised, and tried to shake his father's resolution, +but Squire Ashmead was a sensible man, and not to be +moved.</p> + +<p>Frank commenced his duties the next Monday. He was +so faithful that he was rapidly advanced, and at twenty-one +was receiving twelve hundred dollars a year. At +twenty-five, on the sudden death of Squire Ashmead, he succeeded +to his agency, and now lives with his mother in the +mansion at which he once thought himself lucky to be permitted +to shovel the paths. As for Sam, he squandered the +handsome property received from his father, and died at +thirty from the effects of intemperate habits.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="SECRETS_OF_TRICK_SHOOTING" id="SECRETS_OF_TRICK_SHOOTING">SECRETS OF TRICK SHOOTING.</a></h2> + + +<p>When a champion rifle shot fires blindfolded at a wedding-ring, +or a penny held between his wife's thumb and +finger, or, seated back to her, shoots, by means of a mirror, +at an apple upon her head or on a fork held in her teeth, +the danger of using a bullet is obvious. None, of course, +is needed; the explosion is enough. The apple is already +prepared, having been cut into pieces and stuck together with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +an adhesive substance, and a thread with a knot at the end, +pulled through it from the "wings," so that it flies to bits +when the gun is fired, is "how it is done."</p> + +<p>Generally, the more dangerous a feat appears the more +carefully is all danger guarded against. In the "William +Tell" act the thread is often tied to the assistant's foot. +When, again, the ash is shot off a cigar which the assistant +is smoking, a piece of wire is pushed by his tongue through +a hollowed passage in the cigar—thus thrusting off the ash +at the moment of firing.</p> + +<p>A favorite but simple trick is the shooting from some +distance at an orange held in a lady's hand. Great applause +is invariably forthcoming when the bullet drops out on +her, cutting open the fruit. It is inserted by hand earlier in +the evening.</p> + +<p>Another popular trick is that of snuffing out lighted candles. +Half a dozen are placed in front of a screen in +which as many small holes are bored, one against each +candlewick. At the moment of firing, a confederate behind +the screen sharply blows out each candle with a pair of +bellows. This trick was accidentally exposed one evening +by a too zealous assistant. The lady in the gallery pulled +the trigger, but the rifle failed to go off; the candle, however, +went out just the same.</p> + +<p>In most instances, where a ball or other object has to be +broken on a living person's head, blank cartridge is used +and the effect produced by other means. A special wig, +with a spring concealed in it, worked by a wire under the +clothes, is generally used, the confederate manipulating the +spring simultaneously with the firing of the rifle. As the +ball is of extremely thin glass, a mere touch suffices to +shatter it.</p> + +<p>In these exhibitions some of the rifle "experts" invite +gentlemen from the audience to testify that the weapon is +indeed loaded. The cartridge shown looks very well, but it +is a shell of thin wax blackened to resemble a leaden bullet. +It would not hurt a fly.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="REELFOOT_LAKE" id="REELFOOT_LAKE">REELFOOT LAKE.</a></h2> + + +<p>The physical history of Reelfoot Lake, of night-rider +fame, is not without a certain interest of its own. The lake +came into existence as the result of a series of earthquakes, +which began in December, 1811, and continued until June, +1812.</p> + +<p>Some authorities say that the earthquakes merely heaved +up a great ridge of land across the path of the Reelfoot +River, which runs into the Mississippi, and that this dam +caused the water to back up and broaden out and form a +lake; but the favorite account in the neighborhood is to the +effect that the ground sank, springs were opened up, neighboring +creeks diverted from their course, and the overflowing +water of the Mississippi rushed in during the flood season +of the spring of 1812.</p> + +<p>It is said that for an hour and a half the waters of the +Mississippi flowed up-hill while filling up the depression +caused by the earthquakes. Both accounts likely have this +much of truth in them that the entire configuration of the +ground was changed by the earthquakes. Big Lake, west of +the Mississippi, in Arkansas, is said to have been formed in +the same way at the same time.</p> + +<p>Reelfoot Lake is sixteen or eighteen miles long, very +irregular in shape, and covers from 35,000 to 40,000 acres of +land. It varies in width from a mile in some places to four +or five miles in others. The northern end is extended by a +series of sloughs and bayous into Kentucky.</p> + +<p>The most distinctive feature of the lake's appearance, the +feature which first impresses and stays longest with the +observer's fancy, is a certain grotesque effect, as if a set of +crazy men had been operating a pile-driver there for the +last century, for the trunks, stumps, and stark branches of +dead trees stick out of it everywhere in desolate parody of +some such human handiwork; far below the surface the +fish dart among the boles and branches where the squirrels +frolicked a hundred years ago.</p> + +<p>There are beautiful spots here and there, but the effect, +as a whole, is not beautiful; at its best, when the mist rises +and myriad protruding tree trunks are white and ghostly in +the moonlight, it is weird; the general remembrance is of +something uncouth. It is a kind of sloven lake that has +preferred to sit down with its hair uncombed all day long, +but at night it does manage to achieve a touch of wizard +dignity.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="A_FLOATING_SLUM" id="A_FLOATING_SLUM">A FLOATING SLUM.</a></h2> + + +<p>Stand beside the imperial custom-house at Canton and let +the eye range down the river toward Hongkong. As far as +the sight can reach lie boats, boats, and again boats. These +are no ordinary craft, mere vessels of transport plying hither +and thither, but the countless homes of myriad Chinese, in +which millions of human beings have been born, have lived, +and have died. They are the dwellings of the very poor, +who live in them practically free from rent, taxes, and the +other burdens of the ordinary citizen.</p> + +<p>The Tankia—which means boat-dwellers—as the denizens +of these floating houses are called, form a sort of caste apart +from the rest of the Cantonese. The shore-dwellers regard +them as belonging to a lower social order; and indeed they +have many customs, peculiar to themselves, which mark them +as a separate community. How the swarming masses of +them contrive to support existence is a mystery, but their +chief mode of employment is in carrying merchandise and +passengers from place to place.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="WILD_HORSES_OF_NEVADA" id="WILD_HORSES_OF_NEVADA">WILD HORSES OF NEVADA.</a></h2> + + +<p>Horses are cheap in Nevada. On the government ranges, +where they are protected by game-laws, droves of wild horses +exist which in the aggregate are said to amount to fifteen +thousand. Formerly there was a law in Nevada permitting +the shooting of these wild horses for their hides, but there +were hunters who were not particular, and the ranchers +found their domestic horses disappearing if they let them out +on the range. So their shooting was prohibited, and since +that time the droves have grown to be exceedingly troublesome. +They can be domesticated, but they are not needed +there, and it costs too much to ship them East. It seems +a pity that, while so many sections could use them to advantage, +the transportation problem makes it impossible to +get them at a price which they are worth.</p> + + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="large center">ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT!!</p> + +<p class="huge center">MOTOR STORIES</p> + +<p class="center"><b><i>A New Idea in the Way of Five-Cent Weeklies.</i></b></p> + +<p>Boys everywhere will be delighted to hear that Street & Smith are +now issuing this new five-cent weekly which will be known by the +name of MOTOR STORIES.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>This weekly is entirely different from anything now being published. It details +the astonishing adventures of a young mechanic who owned a motor cycle. +Is there a boy who has not longed to possess one of these swift little machines +that scud about the roads everywhere throughout the United States? Is there a +boy, therefore, who will not be intensely interested in the adventures of "Motor +Matt," as he is familiarly called by his comrades?</p> + +<p>Boys, you have never read anything half so exciting, half so humorous and +entertaining as the first story listed for publication in this line, called <b>"Motor Matt; +or, The King of the Wheel."</b> Its fame is bound to spread like wildfire, +causing the biggest demand for the other numbers in this line, that was ever +heard of in the history of this class of literature.</p> + +<p>Here are the titles to be issued during the next few weeks. Do not fail to +place an order for them with your newsdealer.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="medium"> +No. 1. Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.<br /> +No. 2. Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends.<br /> +No. 3. Motor Matt's "Century" Run; or, The Governor's Courier.<br /> +No. 4. Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the <i>Comet</i>.<br /> +</p> +<hr /> +<table summary="scaffold"><tr><td class="tdl" style="padding-right: 1em;">32 LARGE SIZE PAGES</td> +<td class="tdr">SPLENDID COLORED COVERS</td></tr></table> + +<p class="large center">PRICE, FIVE CENTS PER COPY</p> +<hr /> +<p class="center">AT ALL NEWSDEALERS, OR SENT POSTPAID BY THE PUBLISHERS +UPON RECEIPT OF THE PRICE.</p> + +<p class="center large"><i>STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK</i></p> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="center large"><i>THE BEST OF THEM ALL!!</i></p> + +<p class="center huge">MOTOR STORIES</p> + +<p class="center">IT IS NEW AND INTENSELY INTERESTING</p> + + +<p>We knew before we published this line that it would have a tremendous sale and our +expectations were more than realized. It is going with a rush, and the boys who want to +read these, the most interesting and fascinating tales ever written, must speak to their +newsdealers about reserving copies for them.</p> + +<p><b class="bbox">MOTOR MATT</b> sprang into instant favor with American boy readers and is +bound to occupy a place in their hearts second only to that now held by Frank Merriwell.</p> + +<p>The reason for this popularity is apparent in every line of these stories. They are +written by an author who has made a life study of the requirements of the up-to-date American +boy as far as literature is concerned, so it is not surprising that this line has proven a +huge success from the very start.</p> + +<p>Here are the titles now ready and also those to be published. You will never have a +better opportunity to get a generous quantity of reading of the highest quality, so place +your orders now.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p> +<b class="medium">No. 1.—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.</b><br /> +<b class="medium">No. 2.—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends.</b><br /> +<b class="medium">No. 3.—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier.</b><br /> +<b class="medium">No. 4.—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet."</b><br /> +</p> + +<p class="center">TO BE PUBLISHED ON MARCH 22nd</p> + +<p> +<b class="medium">No. 5.—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p class="center">TO BE PUBLISHED ON MARCH 29th</p> + +<p> +<b class="medium">No. 6.—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p class="center">TO BE PUBLISHED ON APRIL 5th</p> + +<p> +<b class="medium">No. 7.—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p class="center">TO BE PUBLISHED ON APRIL 12th</p> + +<p> +<b class="medium">No. 8.—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.</b><br /> +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p> +<b class="huge" style="margin-right: 0.5em;">Price, Five Cents</b> To be had from newsdealers everywhere, or sent, +postpaid, upon receipt of the price by the publishers<br /> +</p> + + +<p class="center large"><i>STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK</i></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="Transcribers_Notes" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber's Note:</a></h2> + + +<p>Added table of contents.</p> + +<p>Cover image may be clicked to view larger version.</p> + +<p>Retained some inconsistent hyphenation (e.g. "motorcycle" vs. +"motor-cycle").</p> + +<p>Retained some inconsistent spellings in dialect (e.g. "becase" vs. +"bekase").</p> + +<p>Page 3, added missing comma after ""Vell, py shinks." Added missing +apostrophe after "doan" in "Why doan' yo'-all git." Removed unnecessary +quote after "Matt stopped the Red Flier."</p> + +<p>Page 4, removed unnecessary quote after "Legree was about to secure it?"</p> + +<p>Page 5, changed "as she pointed" to "as he pointed."</p> + +<p>Page 10, "would came after it" looks like a typo but has been retained +in case it is intentional dialect.</p> + +<p>Page 14, removed unnecessary quote before "Matt's pulses quickened."</p> + +<p>Page 18, added missing period after "Josh turned to stare along the +road."</p> + +<p>Page 19, changed "Mat" to "Matt" in "Matt was intending to push the +stone."</p> + +<p>Page 20, the sentence "As he yanked the lever savagely, the popping +from up the road sounding like the rapid discharge of a Gatling gun." +seems incorrect, but it is reproduced as originally printed.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 47491 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/47491-h/images/cover.jpg b/47491-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..334c9eb --- /dev/null +++ b/47491-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/47491-h/images/coverlarge.jpg b/47491-h/images/coverlarge.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a601ef9 --- /dev/null +++ b/47491-h/images/coverlarge.jpg |
