“They can’t keep it up more than ten or twelve miles,” said Jack. “But they may make us lose, nevertheless.”
Another guard was passed and then came a new spurt by Coulter and Paxton. They had almost reached Andy when there followed a crash and a yell.
“Coulter is down!” said Jack.
“Yes, and Paxton smashed into him!” added Andy.
“It serves them right,” came from Jack. “Now, boys, I don’t think they’ll bother us any more.” And he was right. Coulter had a broken handle bar and Paxton received a badly-skinned shin, and the two misguided ones had to give up the contest.
Free to do as they pleased, Jack and his chums now set their own pace and four miles were reeled off in quick but easy fashion. On the way they met one other rider who had broken down and given up, and they passed two more who were almost winded. Then they came in sight of several others. Reff Ritter was in the lead of the bunch.
“Now is the time for us to make good!” cried Jack.
“All right,” answered Pepper. “Everybody for himself!” and he commenced to spurt along the level stretch before them.
The three chums had soon passed all but Reff Ritter and Joe Nelson. Of these two, Ritter was in the lead, with Joe clinging to him stubbornly.
“Good for Joe!” sang out Andy. “I didn’t think he could ride so well.”