Two of his enemies sent shots after him, but they flew over his head harmlessly, and the entire party stood as if riveted to their tracks, while they watched the flight of their intended victim, expecting every moment to see him flung head first upon the rocks, where he would be an easy prey to them.
But Little Hickory had too clear a head and too steady a nerve to fall in any such manner. It is true, he was not an experienced bicyclist, but what he lacked in experience he more than made up in fearless foresight and swiftness of action. Never for an instant “losing his head,” he guided the wheel down the descent, around loose stones and bowlders, along the very rim of gullies, down, faster and faster, until he fairly flew into the valley, and carried on by the fearful momentum he had gained, sped up the ascent on the opposite side.
By that time the amazed men awakened to the fact that their bird was fast leaving them, and with oaths of madness they rushed down the hill in pursuit.
It would be of no avail to fire shots now, as Little Hickory was beyond the range of their weapons.
By the time they had gained the foot of “Flying Jump” he was out of sight, having nearly gained the summit on the east, carried up half the rise on his bicycle, when he sprang lightly to the ground and continued his flight on foot.
“Curse him!” cried the leader of the masked men, “he’ll get away from us. He must not.”
“He’s good’s done it, ’cording to my figuring,” replied a panting companion. “Great Scott! how he winged it down the——”
“Fool! if you and Jed hadn’t been sich blunderers, he’d been our game now.”
“Don’t be too sure on thet, old man. He’s a whirlwind, he is, and no man would a stopped him once he got started.”
Little Hickory kept on home without seeing or hearing anything more of his enemies, and what became of them was likely to remain unknown.