Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1912-09-05
CHAPTER I. (contlnued.)

CHAPTER I. (C%ontlnued.)
Coin to throw away the race an
wreck you machine, for foolishness?"
be inquired. That's just like you,
Ralph Stanton. You'll risk a blowout
twenty-four hour race. You can drive,
but you won't use common sense."
Something snapped under Stanton's
mask. Raging with silent fury, he
Glowed down his car and swung into
the paddock gate as they came oppo-
nte It, laundering through to his own
camp.
Fix that tire" he commanded. as
the swarm of mechanics surrounded
them, and descended from his sea to
confront the assistant manager. Have
you got me another mechanician.
retf This one won't do"
why, no." Mr.. Green deprecated.
The driver who alternates with you
wants to keep his mechanician; be-
Sides, the man isn't exactly ready to
60 with you, and he couldn't do both
shifts, anyhow. I've telephoned to
the company to find a man and rush
him here. What" he looked toward
the group around the car. whore
Toyd's bronze head shone in the cleo
hic light as he directed proceedings.
what's the matter with this onef
ecared7"
NO." conceded Stanton, grudgingly
tust. "Insolent and interfering"
We'll, If that is all"
Stanton turned his back upon the
speaker, recklessly and blindly angry.
past all reasoning.
When, the brief operation COM
pleted, Floyd sprang up beside his
driver for the start. Stanton surveyed
him through his goggles.
IF you are nervous about my driv-
ing and my sense, you had better get
on now" was the grim warning. For
I drive as l see fit. and I'm going to
make up these laps"
why are you wasting time here,
then?" countered the mechanician.
practically.
The Mercury hurtled %viciously down
the line Of training camps and burst
cut on the track like a blazing meteor.
Stanton shifted into high gear on the
curve. and began to drive-as he saw
at.
The close-packed witnesses stood
during most Of the next hour, alter
nately applauding and shouting dis
may, climbing on seats and benches to
49,. The other racers gave the Mer-
curry room on the turns, after the
AI.- k-lAI - k2 4-lAA
sweep, and skidding, missed destruc-
ton through and with Stanton by the
narrow margin Of a foot.
There was neither opportunity nor
wish for speech between the two who
rode the verge Of death on the Mer-
curry. Floyd attended steadily to his
duties; pumping oil, brushing the yell
low trackdust from the pilots goggles
to clear his vision for each turn.
watching the tires and the other ma
chimes. But he made no protest at the
deadly methods Of his companion.
Near the end Of the second hour,
he scream of the klaxon sounded its
significant warning Of trouble.
Its us-lamps out" called the me-
shanician, after a comprehensive 70
view Of their machine.
: Stanton shook his head impatiently,
and kept on; deliberately passing the
paddock gate instead Of turning in.
As they shot by the grand-stand for
the second time, the klaxon sounded
again, long and imperiously.
Coin to fight the judges7" lisped
Floyd, with careful %politeness.
The driver did not speak or glance
from the fun~nel-effect of light and
dark Into which they were boring, but
the catch Of his breath was o gen.
tie. However. he swung into the pad
dock, on the next circuit. and halted
. brief instant to have the lamp re-
nixhted. Familiar with his usual
wants, . mar ran bringing a pitcher
OF water to Stanton; who swallowed a
little, then pushed the vessel SO rough
ly toward his mechanician that some
of the liquid splashed over the recipi-
ent and trickled down upon them both.
Here" he offered curtly.
Thanks" Floyd accepted, and
drank ~ they bounded forward. toss
ing the tin pitcher back over his
'shouldsr, whore q reporter gathered
It up and sat upon = keg Of oil to write
pretty account Of tho volunteer me
;chsnician who had made the Msr
'cury's entry possible and Of the conss
!ausnt regard Of Stanton for him