Part 20 (1/2)
He saw the street rough throw a lighted firecracker at the other machine. It landed on the floor of the tonneau, but like a flash Tom was after it. The fun-loving Rover held it up, took aim, and sent it straight at the fellow who had first launched it. Bang! went the firecracker, right close to the rough's left ear. He set up a howl of pain, for he had been burnt enough to make it smart well.
”There, he's paid back,” said Fred, and then the two automobiles pa.s.sed on, leaving the roughs in the distance.
CHAPTER XIII
A WILD AUTOMOBILE RIDE
”This is glorious!”
”It certainly could not be finer, d.i.c.k.”
”Some day, Dora, I am going to take you for a long ride,” went on d.i.c.k.
”I mean some day after we get home with that treasure,” he added, in a lower tone, so that the chauffeur might not hear.
”That's a long time off, d.i.c.k.”
”Perhaps not so long.”
”And what are you going to do after this hunt is over?”
”Go to college, I guess. It is not yet fully decided, for we don't know what college to go to.”
”I hope----” Dora broke off short.
”What, Dora.”
”Oh, I was just thinking. Mamma thinks that I might go to college. If I went it would be nice if we went to two places that were near each other.”
”Nice? It would be the best ever!” cried d.i.c.k, enthusiastically.
They were running along a country road a good many miles from Philadelphia. All the noise of the city had been left behind and it was as calm and peaceful as one would wish. The second machine was only a short distance behind the first, and each was making not less than thirty miles per hour.
”Do you know, some day I am going to make a regular tour in an auto,”
remarked Sam. ”I am sure a fellow could have lots of fun.”
”You can have this machine any time you want to,” said the chauffeur, who had taken greatly to the party.
”We'll remember,” answered d.i.c.k, indifferently. He did not particularly fancy the fellow, for he was rather familiar and his breath smelt of liquor. Twice he had talked of stopping at road houses, but d.i.c.k had told him to go on, fearful that he might drink too much.
A hill was before the automobiles, but both machines climbed it without an effort. From the top of the hill a fine view was to be obtained, and here a hotel had been located, and this displayed a sign which interested the boys and girls very much:
ICE CREAM.
SODA WATER. ROOT BEER.
BEST CANDY.
”Let us stop for some ice-cream,” suggested Songbird. And he yelled to those in the automobile ahead.