“Hark!” exclaimed Jerry, raising his hand.
Then the boys heard, faint and far off, the sound of galloping horses.
“They’re coming!” cried Jerry.
His cry awakened the others, who sat up bewildered and heavy from sound sleep.
“Lively’s the word!” called Jerry. “They’re after us!”
No further explanation was needed, for all knew what Jerry meant. There was a hasty piling of blankets into the auto; the stove was packed up, and, while the travelers jumped into the car, Jerry went in front to crank it up. The cheerful chug-chug told that the machinery was in good working order, and then, the boy, leaping into the steersman’s seat, threw in the low gear for the start.
As he did so Ned glanced back and saw, coming around the bend of the forest road a score of horsemen and a pack of dogs.
“Speed her up, Jerry!” called Bob.
“I will!” was the exclamation, as Jerry leaned forward to throw in the high gear. A mournful screeching of the engine was the only response.
“I forgot! The high gear is broken!” the steersman cried. “We can only use the intermediate, and that is not very fast!”