[CHAPTER IX.]
A SHOT IN THE DARK.
As Jerry spoke, the other boys looked and saw Noddy turn to stare at them. The bully rose in his seat and shook his fist at the Motor Boys, while the wind bore back some indistinguishable words he shouted.
“Let’s take after him!” cried Ned.
“What would be the use?” asked Jerry. “We don’t want trouble if we can avoid it. The farther off those fellows are the better we’ll be.”
The boys explained to Nestor something about the character of Noddy, Berry, and Pender, the miner listening, gravely.
“Well, on the whole,” he remarked, “it’s better to have an enemy in front of you than at your back. I guess we can make out to beat ’em at whatever game they play. But I’d like to catch the chap as took my gold.”
Jerry started his machine up again, but made no effort to catch up with Noddy, who was now far in advance. The Cresville auto bowled along, and at noon a stop was made in a small village, where dinner was eaten.
They traveled along all the afternoon. Toward dusk they struck a lonely stretch of country, and inquiry at a log cabin brought out that the nearest town was ten miles ahead.