"Better slack up a little!" returned the young major. "No use of taking chances when we have plenty of time."
Scarcely had he uttered the words when there came a cry from the acrobatic youth. His wheel commenced to wobble and twist. Over into some bushes he shot, to fall with a crash in their midst.
"Hello, what's the matter with you?" sang out Pepper, and leaped quickly to the road, an example followed by Jack.
"Bicycle has gone to pieces, I guess," spluttered Andy, as he essayed to scramble out of the bushes.
"Are you hurt?" demanded Jack, anxiously.
"Only a few scratches, Jack. Say, that was a narrow escape, wasn't it?"
"Thought you said your wheel was in good condition," came from Pepper.
"So it was when I looked at it this morning."
"What's wrong now?"
"The handle-bars are loose for one thing. I don't know what else is wrong until I look it over."