"Quick!" hissed Matt in Black's ear. "Go around the car—take to the prairie. We can make it if there's gas enough in the cylinders to take the spark."
As luck would have it, the engine took the spark and Black worked the car rapidly out of the road, heading so as to give the other car a wide berth.
The dry grass crunched under the swiftly moving tires, and the car leaped away as Black coaxed her to do her best.
"Halt!" shouted a husky voice; "halt, or we'll put a bullet into you!"
"Drop down!" ordered Matt; "they're going to shoot."
"Let 'em shoot," said Black pluckily. "It's pretty dark for accurate firing, and we'll be out of range in a minute. I——"
Sping! Sping!
Two reports came from behind, two flashes leaped from the guns, and two bullets fanned the air close to the occupants of the car.
But the car dashed on over the rolling turf, and presently regained the road, once more, well in advance of the other automobile.
"I guess that's dodging trouble, all right!" muttered Black, with a grim laugh.