The Owosso times., 1912-08-09
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in the act of turning to examine the
rear tires, there came a sharp explo-
sion and reeling stagger of the car
as rear casing blew out, wrenched
itself bodily from the wheel and rolled
like a hoop into field a hundred
yards away.
The machine tottered to the edge
of the road, stopping under the power
full brakes. Floyd sprang out, drag
ging loose one Of the extra tires car
ried, while Stanton reached for the
tool-box. They had no need or time
for conversation, as they worked, peo-
pie from all directions fiocking around
In a pushing, eager circle to watch the
proceedings.
The two worked well together.
Floyd's deft swiftness balanced by
Stanton's strength. When the task
was finished, the driver first regained
his place.
Get in," he ordered crisply. "Are
you going to take all day, or am l 60
ing to catch that Atalanta?"
Floyd obeyed first and retorted Sec
ond; an invaluable habit.
"If you're goin' to catch anything
but smash, I'd suggest a showdown
for that turn" he countered, in the
blurred accent so softly deceptive.
mo tire built is goin' to stick on a
wheel under such roughin'."
Stanton shot glance askant out of
the corner of stormy blue-black eye.
He was irritated by the lost time, he
felt more i'll than he could have been
brought to admit, and interference
pricked him like a spur.
'Ill give you a lesson in driving"
he cast across his shoulder, and bent
over the wheel.
1t was Stanton at his worst and best
who made the next two circuits Of
the long course. Other racers, warned
by their mechanicians Of the thunder
bolt bearing down upon them, drew
prudently to one side, preferring the
chance Of later regaining- the advan-
tage. From every angle and curve the
people fed, at sight Of the gray car
followed by it's whirlwind Of dust and
carrying the huge "5" on its hood.
Twice the Mercury rushed past the
grand-stand, to tumult of cheers
drowned by the cars own roar. The
second time, the two men glimpsed an
official rising, megaphone in hand, and
rightly guessed that they had made
the fastest circuit of the day.
And Floyd had received the prom
ised lesson, for Stanton had safely ne
gotiated the turn that before cost them
a tire, at pace equally fast.
Safely, once; but, not content, he
came around the second time driving
as furiously, with unslackened speed.
Down upon the turn they swept again,
Stauton unerringly repeating his ex-
quisite feat of skill and twisting the
Mercury around on the two inside
wheels; then the predicted happened.
The crack Of an exploding tire came
echoed by the bursting of its mate
from the opposite wheel; the car tore
itself from control under the double
shock and shot off the course into the
field beyond, plowing deep furrows In
the soft earth until It overturned with
a final crash.
Partly held by his steering-wheel,
Stanton was flung out on the meadow
grass as the car upset, it's speed then
so much checked that he escaped
scarcely bruised. Floyd, unprotected,
had been hurled from his seat by the
first shock and lay half-stunned near
the edge of the course.
From far and near came the peoples
cries of horror and shouts for aid. But
before the first man reached them,
Stanton was up and at the side of
his mechanician.
Floyd" he painted. "Floyd!"
Floyd was already rising to one
knee; gasping for breath, soiled with
dust and grass-stains, and with the
blood yelling from jagged rent in
his left arm, but with his attention
only fixed on Stanton.
"You're-all right?" he articulated.
81? Yes. A fool always Is. You"
But he could see for himself that
he mechanician was not seriously in
jured, without Floyd's reassuring nod.
Call me what you like" Stanton
betweens sclenched teeth, as
he dragged out his handkerchief tc
bandage the slender arm.
The appalled, crowd was upon them
With sputtering roar the Duplex ma
chine rounded the turn and sped down
the straight stretch, its mechanician
staring back over his shoulder at the
wreck. But Floyd brushed the girlish
curls off his forehead and staggered
erect, helpless laughter shaking him.
Call you? ! think you've got the
best disposition an the worst temper
l ever saw! Tie this up an we'll
right the car. We've got to be movin'
on"
There were plenty of sympathetic
helpers. Incredible to the witnesses,
but as Floyd had foreseen, the Mer.
curry had not materially suffered. The
big car was righted by fifty hands;
Stanton and Floyd-unaided, accord.
Ing to racing rules-put on the new
tires, and took their seats amid hearty
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