Part 2 (2/2)

The distinct and well-known ”popping” of a motor was heard

”It's a trick, fellows! So with our ing through the under-brush recklessly

A wild scramble followed The four chums were so excited, and filled with a deter ith their ave little heed to their steps The consequence was that more than once a collision with a tree ensued, and various buave mute evidence as to the reckless manner of their chase

”There's two of 'eht the sound of a second series of erratic poppings

Evidently those ere e of hoork the saain

”Oh! don't I wish they'd just take headers over soging his precious camera to his heart as he followed in Frank's wake

The latter had ress was bound to be slow through the dense undergrowth, and the sooner they struck the open the quicker they could hope to gain on the thieves

In this fashi+on they came upon the road at last Of course, their eyes immediately turned down its sinuous way to the quarter whence the excitable popping sounds still continued to coht that met their eyes amazed them All of the chums had naturally expected that they would discover so, had hatched up this little ga a practical joke

Nothing of the kind On the contrary, they sao of thein the h road to the other, and hly dressedfor a job

”Tell asped Jerry

”Why, the bloo idiots mean to steal our ht to take my camera with me!” came from Will

Frank only made one remark, but it was characteristic of the boy:

”After thean a mad chase Had the road been half-way decent, the boys would have had no chance of overtaking the thieves; but those exposed roots, while not bothersome to the lu to reat speed More than this,the stones and other things that threatened to bring sudden disaster upon the considerable sprinting ability, began to rapidly overhaul the fleeing rascals The two lance behind, and consequently the only ht be would lie in any shouts given by Frank and his chu boy cast an occasional look alongside the path

He was in search of a good stout cudgel Knowing that the chances were the affair would presently come to a face-to-face issue between the two parties, he wished to be prepared as well as possible

”Bully stunt!” exclai close upon the fugitives, ere having a nerve-racking tiry owners of the wheels must be close upon them, the men endeavored to increase their speed, with disastrous results

”Wow!” shouted Jerry, as he saw one of the riders suddenly shoot out of his saddle and take a header, to be followed by his companion a second later