Bert Wilson at the Wheel

lying

od regarding the big red t

car a good deal, but I never could go very far without some part of the machinery breaking down. Uncle Jack said I was a Jonah and I guess I was, because he could run the pesky thi

dgewood objected. "We volunteered, and we'll be the laughing stock of the

uld do it, if you are going to get co

uously, "it isn't because of my own danger that I hesita

tay here while you take a little spin across country," grinning wickedly. "Of course, if you should

tention, and they turned in time to see a young fellow take a flying leap over o

ee you, Bert. We thought you woul

pread that repor

ll I get

other undeserved threats were hu

Tom wasn't to blame. I didn't know myself

dashed up, nearly upsetting his

gasped Tom, getting his breath back by degrees. "I never was so glad to see

sly, Tom explained the situation in which h

t, won't you, Bert?"

nd after giving him "three cheers and a tiger," marched him off to the mess tent, there to partake of corn bread and maple syrup. This last had such a good effect o

hen they most felt the need of him had been alm

he very start he had made good and his industry and ability were soon noted by his employer. It was not long before his salary wa

p a great friendship. Another crony was Frank Edgewood, who worked on the same floor as himself. When the work of the day was done they were us

ls go 'round." Especially was this true in the case of automobiles. The huge machine moving so swiftly, so noiselessly, with such a sense of freedom and the sensation of flying, drew him like a magnet. He scarcely dared to dream t

, he saw them brought in battered, broken, almost wrecked, and made as good as new. From theory to practice was not far. Little by little he was permitted to help in the minor repairs. After a while he was entrusted with short trips, at first in the company of an

anied by either Tom or Frank, or both, watching with intense delight the exciting incidents of the race. The crowd-the start-the great machines flying by like streaks of lightning-the roar of the partisans o

preme thrill, the one he never forgot, the one that repeated itself over and over again in his dreams, was when the automobile with its daring operator starting from the very top of the immense building, amid the deathlike hush of the crowd, flew like a flash down the steep incline, s

by Mr. Hollis. At first, owing to conditions at the factory, he had feared that he would not be able to go at the time set for the encampment, and his disappointment was crushing. A quiet little talk of Mr. Hollis's with his employer, however,

was clad in khaki and had obtained the ready permission o

ile Bert was busy cranking it. Then with a cry of "All right back there?" and an a

end of the road, more than one of the boys at the ca

ust say I wasn't anxious to trust my neck to Bob's safe-keeping. He doesn't know any more

s" passengers were having

flying," said

allenged Tom. "Can't you make

rt shouted, as he

otion. It almost seemed to them as though the "Red Scout" were standing still and all the scenery wer

treak of red lightning that flashed by. Mother birds hovered protectingly over their fledglings, ready to defend them against

lands where cattle grazed lazily, over bridges, past sparkling brooks

e road they came face to face with another a

be a fairly deep depression on that side, so Bert had the choice of two evils. He had either to crash squarely into the other automobile or he had to run the risk of having his own machine turn turtle. He chose the lesser danger

out of the car. The occupants of the other car were four men, who

er improvise a lev

print," grumbled Bob, "but

the men. "See those big stones over there? Well,

e are lots of big tree branches lying around. Looks as if they

n," said the man who had first spoke

sk to lift the heavy car. At times they almost despaired of moving it. However, it was that very desperation that gave them strength at last. I

thy boys to recover from any strain, however great; so in a few minutes they were again in the car and ready to start

hough confident of Bert's resourcefulness, was beginning to be sl

d boys were seated at a most appetizin

ated the adventure. Bert and Mr. Hollis at a little distance discussed the

amp and the boys were supposed to be asleep, t

you asleep

he corner," cam

s just thinking that in that wild ride we n

always thought my head was hard, but now I know it's solid. Oh, well," and again the voice grew sleepy, "we'll

promptly j