The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-02-26
Thornton decided Is take tho latter

Thornton decided to take tho latter
and '1et her rip
The Wild rush Of air. the tinglins
madness Of the speed, as the great car
raced like the wind along the wintry
roadway in the swiftly gathering dusk.
seemed to get into Jack Lathom's
blood. After his Incarceration in Q
prison cell. what an exhilarating rap.
ture was this taste OF freed0m!
Luckily the road was practically de-
serted; past occasional farms and
houses. under the great railway arch.
they swung along as though racing the
wind, with the car oscillating at every
unevennness in the road, trees and
telegraph poles flying past them. For
a little way the road ran parallel with
the railway track. Behind them they
heard the roar and the scream Of q
train, creeping up to them, with its
long row of lighted carriage windows;
along the road side by side for little
way, racing the great iron monster;
then gradually 1t forged ahead, and
they saw the red tail light leaving
them; but the distance between train
and car only widened slowly-Freddy
was letting her rip"
Something like speed, this-eh, old
MANI" cried Freddy, enthusiastically.
what price the superintendent car
if it's on the road behind us? All the
same, wish you were safe on board
that train" He paused abruptly; a
look of dismay crept over his face.
Hear that rattling?" he said, in an al
tered voice. Hanged If I don't think
something's gone wrong with the mo-
tor! Of all the luck!" he added, dis.
gustedly, as he slowed up
He jumped out.
Lucky we've got good start.
Here's nut shaken off. Glad no.
ticed it when did, a bit later and it
might have been serious" And he
plunged into technicalities
AS he spoke, he was fumbling with
tools, growing very hot and exasperat-
ed as he tinkered at the motor-car,
trying to remedy the defect. Freddy
was a capital driver and an uncom-
monty poor mechanician and some
thing more serious than merely miss.
ing nut appeared to have happened
to the car in the undue strain it had
been subjected to.
Freddy fumbled and tinkered grow
ing hotter and wore exasperated;
Jack got out and assisted him; and at
last they were able to resume the
journey. But ten minutes had been
lost, and the superintendent of police
had motor-car too. Freddy's face
was very serious as he grasped the
steering wheel again.
Listen, mani, he cried, suddenly,
his hand pausing on the lever in the
very act of setting the car in motion.
THAT ten minutes has done for us.
Old man, l believe they're hot on our
track!"
Very family up the road they could
hear the distant sound of swiftly
driven car, coming from the direction
OF Fellsgarth.
ut may not be the police, but most
probably it is; and if so it will be all
up" cried Freddy rapidly and excited
ly. "You see, they'd hang on to the
tail of our car, though doubt if they
could overtake us until the petrol gave
out. What's to be done?"
The sound of the car was growing
nearer; it was evidently being driven
at a reckless speed. There was not
moment to lose in arriving at de-
cision. Although the pursuing car
was still distant, and the curving road
hid it's lights from the occupants of
the stationary car, it would be on
them in next to no time.
Ten to one it's the police!" ex-
claimed Jack Lathom. 'You must go
on alone. I'll get off here and hide
till they're past"
Right! They'll follow the car
I'll lead 'em dance. They'll think
you're On board-what surprise for
EN- when they find they've been fol.
lowing yours truly all on his little
own, and no Jack Lathom!" cried
Fredd, excitedly. as Jack leapt down.
Then when it's safe, when they've
found they've been on wild-goose
chase, I'll come back for you. When
shall I meet you?"
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