"I hope that the fact of a tire being bursted won't stop it's sticking to the road," said Chester.
Fortunately the car continued its journey in as straight a line as the best chauffeur in the world could have driven, and the five companions strained their eyes as it neared the distant curve.
"It's almost there!" cried Hal. "I hope it makes a good jump; and I hope that embankment is steep."
"And I hope that she makes her leap before our pursuers heave in sight, which is more to the point," declared Chester.
Again they strained their eyes, watching the flight of the mad car. And then the car reached the embankment.
"There she goes!" cried Chester, and the big machine, as though making a desperate leap, hurled itself into space, where it soared for a moment like a huge bird, and then disappeared from sight.
"Well, it's gone," said the lieutenant sorrowfully; "and now it's up to us to hoof it, to the next town, at least."
The five moved into the woods and just as they gained the first dense covering there was a sound from the road over which they had come.
Dropping to the ground, they peered between the trees. Presently a second huge car, in which could be caught a glimpse of uniforms, rounded the curve, flashed by, and disappeared down the road.
"Let's go farther into the woods," urged Chester. "We might be seen here."