Bert Wilson's Twin Cylinder Racer

esert

chief object of anxiety all through the trip. As long as it kept reasonably dry and clear, one big element of

there was a slight haze around it that might portend rain later on. But for the present, at least, the roads were

d through his ablutions. He stowed away a hasty but ample breakfast, and then after a

d the city the night before, and delegations from the many clubs had gathered to give him a send-off and accompany him for a few miles out of town. Bert greeted

ys within striking distance of their rear wheel. One by one they gave it up, and by the time that thirty miles had been covered, Bert found himself riding on alone. He had welcomed the visitors, because of the goodwill that they had shown and the pace

e roads were superb, and it behooved him to make the most of them, with a view to

ere done deeds of daring that electrified the world. And, before night, he expected to be on the scene of that greater and sadder struggle, where Grant and Lee had flung their giant armies at each other and drenched the soil with fraternal blood. But, although Bert was an ardent patriot, and, at any other time, nothing would have mo

he officious constable, the dilatory country justice of the peace, the crowd of gaping rustics, the possible jail detention. He was amply supplied with money to meet any possible fine-but imprisonment was another matter, that might be fraught with the direst consequences. So, although he inwardly raged at the necessity, he curbed his natural impulse, and slowed up at crossings and c

, were roused from their bovine calm and struggled to their feet. Chickens, squawking wildly, ran across the road, and although Bert tried his best to avoid them, more than one paid the penalty for miscalculating his speed. Dogs started fiercely

ng fields of corn and big red barns crammed to bursting. They were worthy, sober people, rather prone to regard every new invention as a snare of the Devil, and the farmer's wife was inclined to look askance at the panting m

ed long enough to take a hearty meal and check his time. He thrust aside the well-meant invitations that were pressed upon him at the club, and by two o'clock had left Washington behind him and wa

s, big with threats of rain, were climbing up the sky. The wind, too, was rising and came soughing along i

working like a charm. Mile after mile sped away beneath the wheels that passed light as a ghost over the broad path beneath.

ing the foothills of the Blue Ridge, and not until he struck the lowlands of Arkansas, would he be out of the shadow of the mountai

n continent had not been framed to meet his convenience, and he had to take it as it came. All that e

ich farming country, the "garden of the Lord"; now he was in the barren coal regions of West Virginia. Beautiful mansions had given place to tiny cabins; prosperous towns to mountain hamlets. The farms were stony and poorly cultivated. Great coal breakers stoo

rove a shower. That would not deter him. In fact he would welcome it, as it would serve to lay the dust. But if it developed into a steady downpour, he would hav

, before the elements had their way. Gradually the roads lost their white, dusty appearance and grew yellow in the waning light. Bert could feel a

was wet to the skin. And with the rain came darkness so thick as "almost to be felt." Then a flash o

so gladly have availed himself. The lightning came so fast now that the sky was aflame with it, and the thunder was continuous and deafening.

ad broken. It was only a few rods ahead of him, and, with a feeling of immense relief and thankfulness, he made for it. There was no light coming from i

door. He waited an instant and then knocked again. Still there was no answer and after pausing a

e was no response. Then he rummaged in his tool box, and got out a bit of candle that he had provided for an emergency. From a waterproof pouch in his kha

the rudest kind of a way. There was a small table of unplaned boards and a stool, from which one of the three legs was missing. A bunk

y a hunter's shack that served at intervals for a temporary camp. At all events, it was shelter, and,

mself, as he brought his motorcycle in out of the poundi

as well started, Bert took his wet garments one by one and dried them before the fire. In a little while he was snug and dry, and inclined to look philosophically on the day that had had such an unlooked for end

that way this morning, instead of holding off as long as it did. I've

These he put out on the rough table, and, as hunger is always "the best sauce," he enjoyed it hugely. T

"Not that my kingdom is a very extensive one," as he looked ab

fury, but the harder it poured, the m

aid, addressing his faithful wheel. "Well, I might easily find myse

with which it was caked made this a work of time, as well as a "labor of love," and two hours wore away before he had concluded. But it was a t

e level of lake or pond, and there was nothing on his map to indicate the presence of any considerable body of water in that locality. Once he went to the door, a little uneasily. But in the pitch darkness, all he could see was the lights of a little town