She lashed her pony with the short whip she carried, and struck Bob’s animal several smart blows. The two beasts leaped forward.
But horses, especially small, Mexican ponies, are not built to race against large touring automobiles. Bob noticed that the chug-chug of Noddy’s machine came nearer and nearer.
“Maybe we can hide from them in the darkness,” said Bob. “It’s our only chance. They’ll soon be up to us.”
“No hide! Keep on ride!” exclaimed Maximina. “We git away!”
But even as she spoke the searchlight picked them up and they were revealed in its blinding glare. A faint shout from their pursuers told that they had been seen.
The ponies were tiring. Already Bob’s was staggering along as the pace told on it. Maximina’s was a little better off.
“We have them!” Bob heard Vasco shout. “They are both together. Put a little more speed on, Noddy!”
The chug-chugs of the auto told that the machine was being sent ahead at a faster clip. The searchlight glared more strongly on the fugitives.
“Cave somewhere near here,” said Maximina. “If we could find ’um we be safe. Ride more, Bob.”