Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1912-10-03
CHAPTER v.
TunInq Up.

49, Ndo o1NbAh6 I'LL q 1dllln6 III
front Of the repair pits, when Stanton
came out to the course next morning,
engaged in chatting airily with a cou-
pie Of jovial drivers from rival cars.
He was laughing, and furthermore he
was clad in correct racing costume,
this time, instead of the impromptu
blend Of the former occasion.
The group, already breaking up.
drew apart at Stanton's approach,
returning the s%alutes. he disregarded
all except Floyd. opposite whom he
stopped.
you seem to have nothing to do;
Is the machine ready?" he flung. with
his ugliest information.
Floyd slipped off the railing and
stood up, his expression Pickering in
momentary surprise.
"All ready" he answered, quietly
businesslike under the undeserved re-
Duke.
"Get 1t out, then"
The other men glanced significantly
at one another.
Good luck, Floyd" wished a slim
Italian driver, whose reputation
equaled Stanton's own. as he turned
away.
The Mercury car was out already.
One Of the factory men cranked 1t.
after Stanton look his seat. Floyd was
moving to take the place beside. when
his ayes fell on the drivers bandaged
wrist.
whats up?" Stanton demanded, at
the exclamation.
you have hurt your arm?"
Slightly. 1 cranked an Atalanta
Six yesterday with my spark ad-
%vanced."
The m~echanician stopped with one
foot on the car, looking at him.
IT set my spark forward and went
around in front and cranked up and
wrenched my ARM" Stanton explicitly
repeated.
Floyd regarded him blankly, then
slowly dissolved into a smile Of hui
morous comprehension and stepped
into the car.
81 had no right to ask, Of course"
he agreed. Il beg your pardon.
Curious people should expect to hear
nonsense"
Floyd believed himself put off with
an obvious tale, as n reproves q
too-importunate child, so impossible
he considered such ~carelessness. And
Stanton wholly conceded with his
judgment. Only, the fact remained.
The little episode had relieved the
atmosphere, however. and restored
naturalness of speech. They shot dowr
the course, in the sweet country air
and the days work had commenced
Then Stanton had his first exhibition
Of what Floyd called tuning up his
motor.
Got her all the way up?" shouted
the ~mechanician, when they let out OF
the first straight stretch.
Stanton needed. fully occupied; tn,
speedometer was indicating eighty
four miles an hour.
stop her-she needs fixing"
1t was Floyd's hour of empire. Stan
ton brought his car to a halt in an ap
propriate situation. and the mechani
clan sprang out to investigate the un
hooded power-plant.
Now We'll try. She is good 70
l ninety an hour" he painted. returning
Stanton accordingly restarted.
They spent the morning so; speed
: ing f%uriously. stopping for Floyd t
fuss with one thing or another, watch
= ing the speedometer. Floyd listeneI
to the engine as to a speaking voice
t~ranslating its plant u%nerringly an
going to remedy the cause. AS the as
: sistant manager had said. he was
gasolene freak, a c~lairvoyant magicia.
r of delicate touches and manipulation.
At twelve o'clock the Mercury cam
to its camp and stopped.
How is she doing?" inquired M
e Green. You made that last circuit
e record breaker, l can tell you"
g up to n~inety-two miles an hour,
r Stanton reported with brevity. &c
Q never did SO we'll before. Get GU
Floyd"
Floyd got out, flushed, tired, b
heavy hair ~clinging In damp rings I
his temples, but sunnily content NJ