Gordon turned the handle half over, and Eli broke into a frantic chugging that could be heard six blocks away. Dick pushed back the throttle and pulled down the spark, however, and Eli moderated his transports. Gordon, who had clapped his hands to his ears, grinned as he climbed in beside Dick and slammed the door. “Gee,” he said, “but he’s some noisy!”
“Not at all,” denied Dick indignantly. “He naturally chortles a little at times.”
“Oh, was he chortling? I thought he was champing his bit. Hello, see who’s here!” added Gordon, as the car swayed across B Street. A lusty shouting was heard, and Fudge came racing along the sidewalk. Dick stopped.
“W-w-where you going?” panted Fudge. “Take me, too, Dick. You haven’t given me a ride yet!”
“All right,” laughed Dick. “Open the door and sit on the edge there, Fudge. But don’t drag your big feet and stop the car.”
“Go get your cap,” advised Gordon.
“Don’t need a cap. Where are you going?”
“Oh, just for a ride,” replied Dick, throwing in his clutch again after a calculating survey of the empty street.
“The Springdale road’s pretty good,” suggested Gordon, with a wink at Fudge.
“I thought I’d run out toward the Point,” said Dick carelessly. “You don’t meet many teams that way.”