“Brake’s busted!” exclaimed Jerry. “Try the emergency!”
Ned did so. That, too, gave out only a faint screech, and did not grip the axle as it should.
“Look out now!” yelled Jerry. “We’re in for it!”
An instant later the auto began to move forward at a rapid pace. All Ned’s efforts to check it were in vain.
“We’re running away!” cried frightened Tommy. “I wish I’d stayed in back!”
“Keep to the middle of the road!” Jerry cried above the noise of the auto rushing down the steep hill. At the bottom the road took a sharp turn, and the hearts of all beat rapidly with fear as they beheld it.
[CHAPTER XII]
TOMMY FINDS A FRIEND
So rapidly did the machine shoot down the descent that it almost seemed the curved road was rushing to meet the travelers. Again and again Ned tried the brakes, but without avail. He had shut off the power at the first indication that something was wrong.