Part 8 (1/2)
In spite of his father'shis bicycle, the chain of which he had quickly repaired He found just the front wheel needed, and that night his motor-cycle was ready to run But it was too dark to try it then, especially as he had no good lantern, the one on the cycle having been sh So he had to postpone his trial trip until the next day
He was up early the following , and went out for a spin before breakfast He caht eyes, just as Mr Swift and Mrs Baggert were sitting down to the table
”To Reedville and back,” announced Tom proudly
”What, a round trip of thirty miles!” exclaimed Mr Swift
”That's what!” declared his son ”I went like a greased pig , but the rest of at time I let it out for all it orth”
”You must be careful,” cautioned his father ”You are not an expert yet”
”No, I realize that Several tietting that I wasn't on ht to shut off the power and put on the brake But it's glorious fun I' to eat That is, unless you wantLearn to ride the motor-cycle It may come in handy”
Neither Tom nor his father realized what an important part the machine was soon to play in their lives
Tom went out for another spin after breakfast, and in a different direction He wanted to see what the , steep one about five miles from home The roads were in fine shape after the rain, and he speeded up the incline at a rapid rate
”It certainly does eat up the road,” the lad murmured ”I have improved this machine considerably Wish I could take out a patent on it”
Reaching the crest of the slope, he started down the incline He turned off part of the power, and was gliding along joyously, when frohway a on, loaded with fence posts Beside the aniets out of the way in ti as slow asa bit faster than I like Guess I'll shut off and put on the brakes”
The on were now squarely across the road Torip, controlling the supply of gasolene, and to his horror he found that it was stuck He could not stop the ro ”Get out of the way! I can't stop! Let me pass you!”
The darky looked up He saw the approaching machine, and he see!” cried the negro ”Whoa! Suffin's gwine t'
happen!”
”That's what!” muttered Tom desperately, as he saw that there was not roo that would ain
But either the driver could not understand, or did not appreciate the necessity The mule stopped and reared up The colored man hurried to the head of the ani! Jest yo' stand still!” he said
Torip and finally shut off the gasolene But it was too late He struck the darky with the front wheel Fortunately the youth had ed to somewhat reduce his speed by a quick application of the brake, or the result ently lifted away frorass in the ditch
To his seat in the saddle, and then, bringing the machine to a stop, he leaped off and turned back
The colored !” he murmured ”Suffin's happened!”
But the led his ears lazily, and Toh, now that he saw he had not cohter, hurried to where the colored
CHAPTER VIII