"Just you look out that you don't take a header!" warned Tom. "This road is all right, but a loose stone might do a pile of damage."
"I've got my eye on the road," answered his big brother. "For the matter of that, we'll all have to keep our eyes open."
To reach Chardale they had to cross several bridges and then descend a long hill, at the foot of which ran the railroad to several towns north and south.
"Come on!" cried Tom, and spurted ahead. With a laugh, Sam tried to catch up to him, but could not. "Now for a coast!" went on the fun-loving Rover, as the hill was gained, and on he started, his wheel flying faster and faster as yard after yard was covered.
"My gracious, Tom! look out or you'll be smashed up!" yelled Dick.
"Put on your brake!"
"Can't," came back the answer. "I took it off entirely this morning."
This reply had scarcely reached Dick's ears when another sound came to him which disturbed him greatly.
Far away he heard the whistle of a locomotive as it came around the bottom of the hill. Looking in the direction, he saw the puff of smoke over the treetops.
He tried to cry out, but now the road was rather rough, and he had to pay strict attention 'to where he was riding.
"Tom's going to get into trouble," gasped Sam, as he ranged up alongside of his elder brother. "The road crosses the railroad tracks just below here."