“Go to it, boy!” he yelled, in admiration. “You’ll get him yet!”
And after all, why should they not? Their cars were alike, both capable of about the same speed. And the advantage, if there were any, lay with themselves, who had an extra man to ballast the swaying machine. But they would have to overtake him soon, while the daylight lasted, and it could not last much longer.
“It’s up to the superior driver!” concluded John; and glancing at the cool, determined figure at the wheel by his side, he felt his anxiety pass away. He took his revolver from his pocket and examined it.
“We’re gaining again!” he announced a moment later.
Slowly, inch by inch, it seemed, they were creeping closer to the car ahead. But could they hold to such a pace? The rush of hot wind almost took their breath away; particles of sand beat like needles against their faces and into their eyes, almost blinding them; and the car swayed from side to side like mad, threatening every moment to overturn. Jack, bent double over the steering-wheel, was giving her all she would take, staking all on this last burst of speed, which was so terrific that it seemed as if the earth were turning under them, opening, about to swallow them up.
But it was too much for the other driver, who was travelling as fast as his nerve, skill, and fear permitted him. The boys were gaining rapidly; and when they were about fifty yards apart, John leaned over and yelled in Jack’s ear:
“I’m going to shoot over his head, and see whether that will stop him!”
He raised his revolver and fired carefully, but the swaying cars altered his aim, and the ball shattered the windshield of the scouts’ car. But this display of hostility had the desired effect. The pursued car immediately began to slow down, and continued to do so until it came to a stop.
“What are you fellows trying to do?” blustered the frightened young man at the wheel, as the boys came to a halt beside him.
“Arrest a very dirty thief!” replied John promptly, covering him with his revolver. “Hands up! Now, stand up! Jack, just feel in his pockets and see whether he’s armed.”