[CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THIS STORY.]
Matt King, concerning whom there has always been a mystery—a lad of splendid athletic abilities, and never-failing nerve, who has won for himself, among the boys of the Western town, the popular name of "Mile-a-minute Matt."
Carl Pretzel, a cheerful and rollicking German lad, who is led by a fortunate accident to hook up with Motor Matt in double harness.
"Legree," a member of the stranded "Uncle Tom" Company, about whom something mysterious seems to hover.
"Little Eva," who turns out to be other than appearances would seem to indicate.
"Eliza,"
"Uncle Tom,"
"Topsy,"} other members of the unlucky road combination helped by Motor Matt.
Brisco,
Spangler,} a brace of reckless adventurers with whom Matt and his Dutch pard have a particularly exciting inning. O'Grady, an inn-keeper.
Lem Nugent, the owner of the stolen runabout.
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"Eliza," "Uncle Tom," "Topsy," | } | other members of the unlucky road combination helped by Motor Matt. |
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Brisco, Spangler, | } | a brace of reckless adventurers with whom Matt and his Dutch pard have a particularly exciting inning. |
[CHAPTER I.]
STRANDED "UNCLE TOMMERS."
"Help! Some ob yo' folks ahead, dar! Unc' Tawm's in de ruvver! He drapped de box, an' went in afteh hit head first lak er frawg. He's drowndin', he sholey is! By golly! Legree! Eliza! Come back hyeh dis minyit! Unc' Tawm's drowndin'!"
Topsy was making a terrific commotion. While she screeched for help she ran circles on the river-bank, tossing her hands wildly. If she had put some of her aimless energy into helping Uncle Tom, the kinky-headed old negro in the water would have been a whole lot better off. He was floundering and thrashing and making a good deal of noise himself.
"Hit's ovah mah haid!" he spluttered. "Ah's done got de crampus en mah lef' laig an' Ah's monsus bad off! Bl-r-r-r! Dat's twicet Ah's gawn down, en de nex' time Ah's gwine down tuh stay. Doan' put yo'se'f out none—doan' scramble so ha'd yo' lose yo' bref. Hit's only a coon whut's drowndin', so take yo' time gittin' hyeh an'——"