“That’s the intention,” said Nestor. “The other fellows are doin’ it an’ we have to do likewise. Hold tight!”
As he spoke, the auto went over a rock and every one was tossed from his seat, to fall back with a jarring bump.
The pace was now very fast. With straining eyes Jerry watched his rivals in front. Slowly but surely he could see that the distance between them was lessening. Once or twice some one in the forward car looked back to note the progress of the chase.
“We’ll catch them!” yelled Ned.
Faster and faster went the auto. The trees and rocks seemed to shoot past. The distance between the two machines was constantly lessening until now it was but a quarter of a mile.
“They may use guns,” ventured Bob.
“I reckon they will, son,” replied Nestor, “but if they try that game they’ll find we can shoot a bit ourselves.”
He got out his brace of revolvers and saw to it that they were loaded.
“Not that I’m anxious to hurt any one,” the miner went on, “but we must protect our lives and our machine.”