Noddy, who, from the brief glimpse Nestor had, could be seen at the steering wheel, increased his speed at the sound of the report, as could be told by the faster explosions of the motor. The noise of the rifle going off awoke Jerry.
“What’s the matter?” he cried, sitting up.
“Your friend Noddy just passed by,” replied Nestor, “and the hunter gave him a salute.”
“I thought he was far away,” said Jerry.
There was nothing that could be done, and the camp again settled down to quietness and slumber. There were no more disturbances, and at midnight Nestor relieved Broswick. Almost before the boys knew it morning had come.
Then, after breakfast, they were off once more.
There were no signs of Noddy’s machine save the marks of the broad tires in the dust of the road. Leaving the plateau the adventurers were soon mounting toward the clouds again.
All the morning they hurried forward as fast as the auto could be urged. Broswick’s horse kept well to the trail, for it was used to mountain climbing. At noon a stop was made beside a swiftly running brook and dinner was eaten. Then, after a rest beneath the trees, the journey was resumed.
About five o’clock another halt was made for supper, thirty miles having been reeled off during the afternoon.
“We’ll do a bit of traveling as we did last night,” said Nestor.