“Some obstruction on the road; looks like a log,” answered Jerry. “I just happened to see it in time.”
He got out and ran ahead.
“It’s a tree cut down right across the path,” he called back. “A big one, too. If we’d hit it, running as we were, we’d have gone to smash.”
They all got out of the car and gathered about the obstruction. Broswick alighted from his horse and made a close inspection.
“This was done on purpose,” he declared. “It has been freshly cut and was chopped on the side next to the road so’s to fall right across an’ block our way.”
“I wonder who did it?” asked Bob.
“There’s only one gang who could have an object in such a trick as this,” said Ned.
“Who?” inquired Bob.
“Noddy Nixon’s crowd. They want to delay us as much as possible so they can reach the mine first.”
“I believe Jerry is right,” put in Nestor. “This is one of the enemy’s tricks, all right.”