In spite of his injunction the other machine came on until, the occupants getting near enough to see the narrow pass, they brought the car to an abrupt stop. When it halted the three motor boys uttered a simultaneous exclamation at the sight of the occupants of the car.
“Noddy Nixon!” gasped Ned, and his chums echoed his words.
“Well, what of it?” snarled the bully. “Isn’t this a free country? Can’t I go where I like?”
They did not take the trouble to answer him, but gazed at the man seated beside him.
“Bill Berry,” murmured Jerry. “Here’s a fine chance for trouble, and I shouldn’t be surprised if we got some of it.”
“Back up your car, and let me pass!” insolently demanded Noddy, as he prepared to throw in his gears and start ahead. So close was the vehicle of our friends to the narrow passage that there was not room for the other car to get by. “Back up!” went on the bully. “What right have you to block the highway?”
“The same right that you have!” fired back Jerry. “We don’t want to block it up, but we were here first, and it’s your place to reverse and let us past.”
“Reverse nothing!” muttered Bill Berry. “Run ’em down, Noddy, if they won’t let you by.”
“I will!” declared the bully. “You’d better back up!” he called out, threateningly.
“Don’t give in to him,” urged Ned in a low voice to his tall chum.