e gave the salute on seeing that the assistant

flying jump from his saddle that caused him to la

g a little more deliberation in dismounting. "Guess you're dreaming about aeroplanes

drivers at his finger tips, so that he could tell instantly what was the highest point as yet reached by a bird-man; the fastest flight made singly and w

ity. At any rate Toby had suffered pretty much as did the Darius Green of whom we older fellows used to read in our earlier

felt as proud as a peacock. His chest had never before been known to have anything like the fine appearance that it now presented. And only that morning his doting father had remark

l, though a real tenderfoot, in that he had only qualified for the lowest rung in the ladder by learning

om up the road, sir

d Elmer, just as if his e

ndy, sir," w

he advance member of our im

respect now, for he was burning with

" asked the

hirty-two miles from Hickory Ridge by

retty accurately, because he and Nat had often scoured the c

port, Number Eig

n hour ahead of the next contestant; though that one appeared to

carrying out of the scheme which those four Fairfield plotters had arranged, and started up

he rival organization! That would mean a Fairfield victory, p

ked, feeling pretty confident

heap in the way of practical jokes if he only comes in away ahead of Felix,"

r at hiking and running! A three-bagger for most fellows lets Lil Artha score the circuit. Bully boy,

ility of the rival organization winning the laurels. No matter which of the

as he turned the matter over in his mind and began to figure

can call up Rockledge now, and perhaps they'll be a

t we want to do now is

hin his mind whether it would be best for him to leave Nat and Toby far in the lurch, depending on his single arm to protect Lil Artha against the

at least. If things grew to be too bad, he could say good-

oing things until darkness came. They would not want Lil Artha to see their faces, so that

epared to mount again; a movement that sent both Toby and Nat hurry

ou were along, sir?" aske

e, there's a nasty plot afoot to kidnap Lil Artha, and make him f

e pace! Give 'em one for me, Toby, won't you?" Hen bellowed after the three scouts; but they must

red this a rather painful undertaking. Perhaps it was the knowledge of his disability that had caused the owner of the motorcycle to offer it t

ing along on their motorcycles. The road was not all that could be desired, the heavy rain of th

he may be able to keep his proper balance; but presently he leans a trifle too much one way, the heavy machine strikes the side of

comrades were doubly dangerous under such conditions, Elme

ader, because of thinking he could push through a rut that somehow seemed to have drawn h

st his head around in order to discover what had happened to his companion in misfortune, when he, too, turned a

e seriously hurt. First of all he laid hold on Nat, who was kicking his legs vigorously in the air, and bleating

started to dance up and down, rubbing his elbows, his sh

"My face feels like it was marked with scratches like a map; and here's a big

They're bleeding some now, of course, and feel bad. Let me wash them with some water from this brook, to take any poison out. How

t the first time by a long shot. I'll be satisfied if only the upset didn't put my old ice wagon here out

ace, which fact seemed to tick

shape again!" he exclaimed in glee. "Haven't heard her take the spark like that for a

ed, and refused to do anything. Even after Elmer had spent as much

en if it won't work, I'm afraid Toby and myself will have to leave

rtha must be protected against these Fairfield bullies. And if I have to hang out here till after dark, why I'll just feel that I'm doing my

ainst a tree. Two minutes later there suddenly broke forth a ratt

camp out here on the road till some wagon comes along to pick me up." And filled

bout three shakes of a lamb's tail," laughed Elmer, as he st

rs, just about to start ou

in the road hid their chum from them; and not waiti

is head bent low, as though he might be

er?" asked Toby,

" was the startling repl