[CHAPTER XIV.]
ON TO PHOENIX!
This was the biggest surprise the mysterious Bascomb had yet sprung. Clip stared at him for a moment, with jaws agape, then trundled his motor-cycle forward and lifted it into the rumble. He fixed himself on the seat, and leaned down to help Matt lift up the Comet. Neither of the boys spoke—they were too bewildered.
"What you got in that canteen?" asked Bascomb.
"Gasoline," said Clip.
"Good enough! Hand it over here."
Clip unlashed the canteen and gave it to Bascomb. He at once began emptying it into the roadster's tank.
"I was afraid the fuel would play out on us," remarked Bascomb, when he had emptied the canteen, "but now we're safe for the run to town. Are you as handy with an automobile as you are with a motor-cycle, Matt?" he asked.
"I guess yes," Matt answered.
"Then get in behind the steering-wheel. I'm not much good at it, and we've got to go over the line for a record. See how quick you can get us to Phœnix."