Just what was the cause of it they never knew, but somehow or other, possibly the jar of Barney’s leap from the wagon, threw the throttle open and the Steam Horse started away.
At the moment the two skylarkers were a dozen yards away.
The sight sobered them in a moment. It was a serious matter.
Away dashed the Steam Horse, with no controlling hand upon the rein.
“Golly, fo’ goodness!” yelled Pomp. “We’se done made fools ob ourselves dis time, fo’ suah.”
“Begorra, catch him!” roared Barney. “Shure, phwat will be the ind av this? Misther Frank will have the loife av us.”
Away they fled like frightened deer in pursuit.
But they might as well have tried to catch a cyclone.
Away went the Steam Horse at a mad pace into the darkness and was out of sight.
It was an appalling moment.