Motor Matt's Race

d the saddle, and held five quarts, sufficient for a run of 75 to 100 miles. The auxiliary tank was attached to the top tube, and its tubes and connections were so arranged that it coul

achine as he would have groomed a race-horse, and cleanliness is one of the first points to look after if a machine is to travel right. On his return from a trip he never failed to go over the motor-cycle with wrench and pliers, to inject a few squirts of kerosene into the wa

y?" sang

le family,"

tt instructed Chub a little in nursing his machine-not to open the muffler when there was no real necessity, to let the burned oil out

fore Matt told Chub about the se

're up against. But I guess they're four-flushin'. Anyh

at there's something in that first

erent fists worked on those two letters. The last one must have been jotted down

it out, and is trying to backcap the first man. The tip must be important, or the second man wouldn't try to ke

eems worth while. The second man is trying a bluff-but if he had

"If it's really a bluff, we won't lose anything by bei

of prevention is wo

oth and even. Both motor-cycles worked to perfection, and the boys went s

y, where the railroad had an eating-house at which they had planned to get supper. They we

they had "called the bluff" of the unknown writer of the seco

like asphalt, although crooked as a snake

unds that aroused his apprehension. He might have been

ice. "Did you hear a noise on the left o

d ahead at increased speed, a

op, or we

nd. Two horsemen were in the road, an

Matt. "Get aroun

ter of that second note was "four-flushing" had proved to b

a

hrough the hills, and a spurt of dust

ng at our tires

"they can blaze away all they please. They've got to haul up if they do any straight

e of the bullets had passed altogether

and the marksman. They were safe for the moment, but, above the n

"but if they've a notion they can overhaul us on a

Matt suddenly;

nctively a shout of de

ot of the slope there was a break in the road, a gap cr

cried Chub. "Those scoundrels have ta

eep, even if it was not very wide, and was evidently the course of a small stream. Just before

took form in

t across!

gaspe

es will be thrown upward at the oth

nd the possibilities of the situation so well as Matt, and the attempt to hur

Matt. "Head straight for the gap and keep the m

een holding back in order to stay alongside his chum; but now, in order to demonstrate the fea

from a catapult, then alight on the opposite side of the break a good four feet from the edge. What was more, the Comet did not seem to mind

not be able to duplicate the Comet's performance. Far up the slope the horsemen could be seen racing

nder's wheels spinning in mid-air. Down he came, safe by a sc

hopes were dashed somewhat by sounds which tol

shouted Matt. "Open

use of the misfiring. The jar had perhaps caused the carburette

g the horsemen, saw them getting ready to take the gap a

ming-pin for a sec

en the motor took hold in proper shape, and Chub, white

he. "Lost my head completely, and wouldn't have

scoundrels behind, now, for good and all. The main thing

em, just before they took a turn, they saw the two hor

d Chub, "clear into Skull Va