Jerry sent the machine ahead with a rush. Straight at the professor he steered it. Then, when very close to the bug hunter he gave the wheel a twist.
Nestor, who was in the rear seat, on the side nearest Mr. Snodgrass, leaned over. As he swept past the professor the miner grabbed him up, box, basket, net and all, and lifted him into the auto.
“Full speed ahead!” yelled Nestor, and Jerry threw on all the power he had.
The little, bald-headed man was yanked from under the tree, and, as the noose was about his neck the rope came along with him, pulled from the surprised and unresisting hands of the cowboys.
They gave a great shout of astonishment, and several leaped on their horses to give pursuit. Others drew their revolvers and fired at the fast-vanishing auto, but the machine was soon out of reach of the bullets.
“That’s what I call pullin’ off a pretty neat trick,” observed Nestor. “They’d have hung you in another minute, professor.”
“I’m sure I’m much obliged to you,” observed the little man, calmly. “I hope my specimens are not injured, for I have some very valuable ones.”
“Well, he is the limit!” said Nestor, half to himself. “He gits pulled out of the very jaws of death an’ all he cares about is his bugs an’ butterflies!”
Soon they were nearly at the town where they were to stop overnight. The professor, who seemed a little dazed from what he had gone through, was gazing at the rope that had been taken from his neck and tossed to the floor of the tonneau. All at once he stood up and shot a glance at a horse that was grazing beside the road.