Carl followed as Ben Ali backed away in the direction of the runabout. The Hindoo stood close to the wheel until Carl was in the seat.
At that moment a smothered scream came from Haidee. Aurung Zeeb jumped toward her, letting go the bridle of his horse as he did so. Ben Ali muttered something under his breath, put the lacquered box on the runabout seat beside Carl, and started toward Aurung Zeeb and the girl.
"You must tell me what you are doing," panted the girl, facing the Hindoos with flashing eyes. "That is Boss Burton's horse and buggy. Why have you got the rig here? What are we doing here? Tell me, Uncle Ben! I must know."
Ben Ali tried to quiet her. Carl was in a quiver. The lines were twined about the whip on the dashboard of the runabout, and both Hindoos were fully fifteen feet away. It looked like a propitious moment for escape. Carl had not accomplished much, but he was patting himself on the back because of the way he had fooled Ben Ali. Now, if he could get away, and take the runabout with him——
Carl never thought very long over any proposition. Nor did he give much time to this.
Swooping down on the dashboard, he grabbed up the lines and the whip.
"Gid ap mit yourself!" he yelled, and struck the horse.
With a snort the animal bounded forward, breaking the strap that secured him to the tree and almost throwing Carl from the seat.
The other horse took fright and bounded away, while Carl went lurching and plunging in a wild dash for the road.
How he ever reached the road without coming to grief against the many trees he grazed in his dash was something which would have puzzled a wiser head than his.