At that moment it exploded. The horses gave a wild snort, a frightened jerk at the reins.
Bart saw the staunch driver dragged from his seat. He lit on his feet, braced, but was pulled over, as, with a fierce tug, the horses snapped the line in two.
Then, unrestrained, the team shot down the street without guide or hindrance and with the speed of the wind.
CHAPTER XI
"FORGET IT!"
The young express agent acted quickly. A single glance told him that the driver of the cab could do nothing.
The frightened horses were speeding ahead at a furious rate, could not be overtaken, and Bart doubted if anyone could stop them.
No one tried, but all got out of the way promptly as the team went tearing along. The horses came to a crossing, and, terrified anew at a spitting "Vesuvius" ahead, abruptly veered and turned down a side lane.
It was at this moment that Bart threw open the door of the cab, grasped a handle at the side of the vehicle, and drew himself up to the driver's seat.