Bang!
Another bullet rattled through the trees and clipped the air over Matt's head.
Just at that moment, Dashington, apparently unhurt but nearly spent, staggered into sight.
"Bilked!" he gasped; "I bilked 'em for fair."
"Into the tonneau, quick!" shouted Matt.
Dashington staggered to the running board and fell sprawling into the rear of the car.
"They're stealing the car!" howled the voice of Bangs, who was now close enough to the road to see what was going on.
"Stop 'em!" roared the panting voice of Whistler. "If they get away with the car we're done for!"
Away jumped the car on the high speed, throwing dust and gravel from the rear tires in a shower.
Bang! bang! came the harsh notes of the rifles, but the screen of dust and the excitement of the moment were not conducive to accurate shooting.