“This pony can’t go much farther,” replied the boy. “His legs are shaking now.”
Crack!
A flash of reddish fire cut the blackness, and a bullet sang unpleasantly close over Bob’s head.
“They only shoot to scare!” cried Maximina. “They no want to kill you. Too valuable. Want ransom; much money; ten thousand dollars.”
“All the same, it’s no fun to be shot at,” remarked Bob, urging his pony on.
The automobile was now but a few hundred feet away. Noddy had to reduce his speed because the ground was getting rougher.
“We’ll have them in another minute!” cried Vasco.
At that instant, Bob’s pony, stepping in a hole, stumbled and fell, throwing the rider over its back. Bob struck the ground heavily and was stunned.
“Me stay with you!” exclaimed Maximina, reining in her pony and coming back to where Bob was.
“No, no! You ride on!” the boy said, faintly. “Maybe you can find my friends and send help. They are in the underground city!”