“Not as you please!” said a gruff voice, “I’m running this party and we all go together? See?” A heavy hand came down upon Cameron’s shoulder with a mighty grip.
Cameron landed a smashing blow under the man’s chin which sent him reeling and sprang inside as Ruth threw in the clutch and sent her car leaping forward. The two men in front were taken by surprise and barely got out of the way in time, but instantly recovered their senses and sprang after the car, the one nearest her reaching for the wheel. Cameron, leaning forward, sent him rolling down the gully, and Ruth turned the car sharply to avoid the other car which was occupying as much of the road as possible, and left the third man scrambling to his knees behind her. It was taking a big chance to dash past that car in the narrow space over rough ground, but Ruth was not conscious of anything but the necessity of getting away. In an instant they were back in the road and flashing along through the dark.
“Mother, you better let me help you back here,” said her son leaning forward and almost lifting his mother into the back seat, then stepping over to take her place beside Ruth.
“Better turn out your back lights!” he said in a quiet, steady voice. “They might follow, you know. They’re in an ugly mood. They’ve been drinking.”
“Then the car isn’t really out of commission?”
“Not seriously.”
“We’re not on the right road, did you know? This road goes to The Pine Tree Inn and Singleton!”
Cameron gave a low exclamation:
“Then they’re headed for more liquor. I thought something was up.”
“Is there a cross road back to the Pike?”