“Don’t let them see us! They’re trying to find us, but the longer we can keep out of their sight the better!”
“Good idea,” commented Tinny, who had been briefly told about the actions of the bully. “Come around this side of the station. My car is there and we can hop in and be down the trail before those fellows get the cinders out of their eyes.”
Arrangements had previously been made to send the baggage of the boys, the professor, and Bill Cromley on to Tinny’s mine-house by a motor truck, so all that the travelers had to carry were their valises. Of course, Uriah Snodgrass had his pockets filled with bugs and insects, as well as with glass-topped boxes in which he hoped to catch other specimens. But as he was always thus laden it was a matter of no comment, though, to Tinny, of some curiosity.
So it but remained for the party to act on Bob’s sensible suggestion, slip around the side of the station and get the building between them and Noddy’s “gang,” as the Motor Boys referred to Noddy’s party.
This was done, and before the bully and his companions had more than turned themselves around, Jerry and his friends were in Tinny’s auto, speeding down the trail that led to Thunder Mountain. This was the name of a small mining settlement, as well as the general name of this whole section.
“That was a close call!” exclaimed Ned, as they were hurrying away.
“I’ll advertise the fact that it was!” said Jerry.
“Do you think Noddy Nixon saw you?” asked Bill Cromley.
“Don’t believe so,” replied Bob. “We were too quick for him.”
“I thought you said you had shaken him,” remarked Tinny, as he guided his car along the mountain trail.