In terror, the boys looked behind them. Coming on with a mad rush, with a thunder of thousands of hoofs, and deep-mouthed bellows, were the steers, galloping like the wind!
[CHAPTER XV.]
IN THE NICK OF TIME.
Jerry headed the machine toward the foothills. Once among them the adventurers might escape. The auto was going almost at full speed, swaying from side to side on the rough road. Nestor, who was keeping watch of the herd, cried out:
“I’m afraid it’s no use. They have turned and are right after us!”
The steers had changed their course to follow the red auto, which they probably took for an enemy. The thunder of their hoofs came nearer.
Fast as the auto was going, its speed was not enough to take it out of reach of the infuriated animals, for the rough prairie was retarding it, but it was just the kind of country the cattle loved.
Even Nestor, familiar as he was with danger, seemed much alarmed at the plight. The boys’ hearts were well-nigh terror-stricken, but as for Professor Snodgrass, he did not appear at all frightened. He still kept on sorting his specimens.
The auto topped a little hill, having to slow up a bit at the grade. Down it went on the other side, but still the steers came on. A long level stretch of country appeared.