The Motor Boys; Or, Chums Through Thick and Thin (Book 1)

Preface/Chapter I. - An Encounter on Bicycles (1-10)

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PREFACE

DEAR BOYS:

Here is a brand-new line of stories for you, to be issued under the general title of "The Motor Boys Series."
The motor-cycle of to-day is fast taking the place of the ordinary bicycle, and the automobile, or auto, as it is commonly called, is taking the place of our horses. This being so, it has occurred to the writer to prepare a line of stories, telling of the doings of a number of lively, up-to-date lads who at first own motor-cycles and later on become the proud possessors of a touring car.
This tale before you, "The Motor Boys," is the first volume of the series, telling of the doings of Ned, Bob, Jerry and their chums in and around their home town. Some stirring races are mentioned, and also the
wicked plots of some enemies to bring our heroes to grief. At the races some fine prizes were put up, and Ned, Bob and Jerry did their best to carry off the honors. In the meantime there was a mysterious robbery of a mill, and what the lads did to solve this riddle I leave to the chapters, which follow, to relate.
This story of "The Motor Boys" will be followed by a second volume, to be called "The Motor Boys Overland," and then by a third, "The Motor Boys in Mexico." I hope these volumes will please my boy readers.

CLARENCE YOUNG.
January 9, 1906.

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CHAPTER I.

AN ENCOUNTER ON BICYCLES

"Hi, Ned! what do you say to a little race?"
"I'm ready," called Ned Slade.
"How about you, Jerry?"
"Oh, I'm always ready," answered Jerry Hopkins, tossing aside the core of an apple he had been eating. "But how far is the race to be, Chunky?"
"To the oak tree," replied Bob Baker.
"Suits me," said Jerry. "All aboard!"
The three bicyclists rose from the grass where they had been resting in the shade of a big maple tree, after a trip of about five miles on their bicycles around the country outside of the village of Cresville, where they lived. Cresville was a pleasant town, not a great many miles from Boston.

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The three boys were chums, and had been ever since they had started to school together, eight years previous. There was Bob, the son of Andrew Baker, who was counted one of the wealthiest men in Cresville.
His interests were varied, but were mainly in banks and banking institutions. Besides Bob there was in the family a daughter Susie. Bob was fourteen years old, and Susie two years younger, and Bob was so much inclined to stoutness that he was sometimes called "Chunky" by his chums
Ned was the only child of Aaron Slade, owner of the largest department store in the town, and a well-off merchant. As for Jerry he lived with his widowed mother, and his sister Julia Hopkins, a girl whom it would do your heart good to know, she was so jolly and full of fun. The death of Mr. Hopkins, a few years previous, had left his widow with an ample income, which she devoted to the bringing up of her children. Jerry and Ned were the same age, fifteen years.
All three boys were sturdy chaps, full of life and energy. They had studied, played and fought together so long that they had come to be regarded as three inseparables by the townspeople.

"Now are you fellows ready for the word?" asked Bob, steadying his wheel in a line with the other two.
"Let her go!" called Jerry.
"Sing out, Chunky!" shouted Ned.
There was a moment of suspense, and a momentary thrill over even so slight a thing as this little sprint among the three boys. Each one meant to win.
"Go!" yelled Bob.

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In an instant the wheels were started off. Three boys bounded into three saddles. Three pairs of feet began to pump the pedals desperately. A cloud of dust arose and the race was on.
It was a distance of half a mile from the maple tree, where the start was made, to the oak which Bob had designated as the winning post. The road was a good hard level stretch of macadam and the wheels fairly spun along it.

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At first the boys were on even terms. Then Bob gradually drew away from Ned and Jerry. Seeing this Ned put an extra ounce or two into his pushing and he soon caught up to Bob. These two held the lead on almost a line for a few hundred feet.
Suddenly there was a whirr of wheels behind them, an excited joyous shout and, with a yell, Jerry whizzed past, and obtained such a good advantage that he kept it, until he reached the oak, where he leaped off, and cast himself down in the shade to rest.

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"I didn't think you could do it, Jerry," panted Ned, as he and Bob flashed up two seconds later. "Honest, I didn't."
"Nor I," came from Bob. "You must have been practicing lately."
"Well, I thought I ought to try and improve my wheel-work," said Jerry modestly. "I'm thinking of going in the club races that will be held soon, and I wanted to stand some sort of a show."
"I'd say you stood a pretty good one, if you ride like you did to-day," interposed Ned. "You went past us flying, and Bob and I weren't going so slow, either; were we, Bob?"
"Not exactly."

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For a few minutes the boys lolled lazily in the grass, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Then Bob took three apples from his pocket and treated.
"Do you fellows know what I wish?" began Jerry, who had finished his light lunch first. "I wish we all had motor-cycles."
"It wouldn't be a half-bad idea," agreed Bob, after a little thought. "I'm beginning to get a little tired of this leg-work, myself. How about you, Ned?"
"I think I could use a motor-cycle if one came my way," replied Ned.
"That is after I learned how to operate one, and wouldn't blow myself and the immediate neighborhood up with gasolene."
"They're easy to run," affirmed Jerry, "and no more dangerous than a horse. The catalogue I have says so."
"That reminds me, are you two going in the bicycle races?" asked Jerry. "You know there are going to be some fine prizes."
"You mean the Cresville Athletic Club races?" asked Ned.
"Yes," replied Jerry.
"I hadn't thought much of it," said Bob. "I heard about 'em, but it takes a lot of time to train, and you have to almost starve yourself."
"How about you, Ned?"
"Well, if you and Bob go in for it, Jerry, I s'pose I might as well too. Tell us what you know about the races."

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Jerry related what he had heard about the plans of the athletic club to hold an out-door meet on their grounds three weeks hence. As he had said, several valuable prizes were to be awarded, and there were many classes of handicap contests, so that the boys would have plenty of chances to enter, and stand a good show of winning one or more of the trophies.

"It sounds good," said Ned at length.
"I'm going to enter, and begin training at once," decided Chunky.
"Same here, then," came from Ned. "Have you entered yet, Jerry?"
"No, but I've begun to train some. There's plenty of time to send in your name if you want to enter. The lists are open until five days before the races."
"All right, then it's settled," exclaimed Ned, slowly rising from his comfortable berth in the grass.

The three boys mounted their wheels and started slowly homeward. They took their time, keeping close together and talking now of the coming races and again of the prospects of owning motor-cycles. At the top of a long, gentle sloping hill, that led down, almost to the centre of the town, the boys put their feet on the coasters and let their wheels glide down by gravity. Soon they were going at a rapid rate, with Ned slightly in the lead.
At the foot of the hill another road crossed at right angles. By reason of a turn to this second road, and a clump of trees, any one passing along it could not be seen until he was nearly in the middle of the hill road.
Suddenly there shot from behind the clump of trees lining the cross-road, a figure on a wheel.

"Look out!" yelled Bob and Jerry.
Ned looked up and saw, but was too late. He could not check his speed, and the only thing to do was to turn to one side, and try to avoid the other rider. Unfortunately the other rider, also seeing the danger, took the same turn as had Ned.
"There's going to be a smash!" called Jerry in excited tones.
The shock threw Ned and the other cyclist from their wheels into the dusty road. The bicycles went in one direction and the riders in another. Both boys were lying still on the highway when Bob and Jerry came running up.

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Are they killed?" asked Jerry in a trembling voice.
"No, only stunned, I guess," answered Bob, feeling of Ned's heart, and finding it beating. "Let's see who the other fellow is."
He turned the boy who had collided with Ned over.
"Noddy Nixon!" he said. "He'll be sure to say this was Ned's fault, and it may make trouble. I wish Ned had put on his brake."
Ned sat up and opened his eyes. A few seconds later Noddy Nixon did likewise.
"What happened?" gasped Ned, rubbing the dust from his eyes.
"You had a little spill, that's all," answered Bob.
"A little spill? I should say we did," snarled Noddy, who was larger and stronger than any of the three chums, and older, being about eighteen. "A nasty little spill it was, too. And all your fault, Ned Slade! Why didn't you look where you were going?"
"Why didn't you look?" asked Ned, hotly. "I turned out to avoid you, and if you'd been paying attention you wouldn't have steered right into me. It's as much your fault as it is mine."
"My leg's broke," came from Noddy. "You'll suffer for this!"
"Get up and let's see if it's broken," urged Bob, taking hold of Noddy's shoulder.
"Oh! Ouch!" screamed Noddy, who though he was strong and a bully was also a great coward in pain. "My shoulder's broken, too. I'll sue you for this, Ned Slade, after I get well, and I'll lick you, too."
"Oh, dry up!" muttered Ned, who was painfully limping toward his wheel.

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When Noddy came to move he discovered that he was not as badly hurt as he had foolishly imagined. He got on his feet, brushed the dirt from his clothes, and found that he could walk all right. But he scowled darkly when he saw Bob grinning at him.
"You're more scared than hurt," said Bob.
"Look here, you impudent little snob!" burst out Noddy, limping over toward the boy who was still smiling. "Don't give me any of your lip. I won't stand it. I'll knock your head off!"
"Better not try," advised Bob quietly, the smile leaving his face. "Two can play at that game."
"Yes, and so can we all of us!" broke in Jerry, who was something of a boxer. "We're sorry for what happened, Nixon," he went on, "but you needn't rub it in."
"Oh, shut-up!" cried Noddy, turning away, and picking up his wheel. "I'll get even with you for this, though," he muttered.
"Two of my spokes are broken," he went on, after an examination of his bicycle. "You'll have to pay for them, Ned Slade."
"So are two of mine, and my handle bars are bent," retorted Ned. "I guess we'll call it even, Noddy. I won't charge you for straightening the handles," and he laughed in spite of the pain of his bruises.
"You--you!" began Noddy, but rage seemed to choke him, and with scowling face he mounted his wheel and rode slowly away. "You just wait!" he shouted back, shaking his head at the three boys.

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Chapter XVI. - PLANS FOR A MOTOR-CYCLE RACE (128-134)

Chapter XVI.

"Well, Ned," said Mr. Slade when the sheriff had gone, "you came close to getting into trouble. Why didn't you mention to me something about seeing the light in the mill."
"I thought of it," replied the boy, "but after I talked it over with Bob and Jerry we decided it was better not to say anything about it. Besides, I haven't told all yet."
"What? Is there more to tell?"
"Yes. I saw some one besides Bill Berry at the mill that night."
"Who?"
"Noddy Nixon," and then Ned told of meeting Noddy with the box of bait, as the bully had called it. He also related what the three boys had planned to do in keeping watch of Noddy, and of the odd bank bill.
"I think it would have been wise to tell some older person of all this," commented Mr. Slade. "Still I appreciate that you did not want to cast suspicion on any one. And, as you say, it is only a vague suspicion as yet. Noddy may be as innocent as you. I would like to know more of this Bill Berry."
"He knows who robbed the mill," said Ned.
"What makes you think so?"
"Because he was looking right in the office door when the light was visible."
"If he knew why should he cast suspicion on you?"
"I don't know, unless it is to draw attention from some one else."
"You mean Noddy?"
Ned nodded his head affirmatively.
"Think no more about it; at least for the present," advised Mr. Slade. "I will see to the legal end of it, and take care you are not again annoyed by the sheriff unless it is necessary to give evidence. I would urge you and your two chums to keep quiet about this."
The boy promised, and both Bob and Jerry agreed to say nothing of the latest development in the mill robbery mystery when Ned had told them of the outcome of the sheriff's act.

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For several days after this it was so hot that the boys stayed quietly at home instead of taking trips on their machines. Toward the end of the week, however, there came several heavy thunder showers that cooled
the air, laid the dust, and made traveling pleasant. It was on Saturday afternoon that the three chums went for another short spin.
Coming back they stopped at the Athletic club house. Leaving their wheels in charge of the caretaker they went to the refreshment room to have some soda and ice cream.
"I say, what's this?" exclaimed Ned, catching sight of a large notice fastened on the wall. "Come here Chunky and Jerry. This looks as if it was meant for us."
Rapidly the three boys read an announcement that the Cresville club had decided to hold a grand motor cycle meet, open to competitors of all classes and all makes of machines, not over two cylinders in size. There were to be three prizes. The first was to be optional with the winner and of the value of two thousand dollars, the second one thousand dollars and the third five hundred dollars. Articles worth these amounts would be given, it was stated, and entries would be received until within a week of the race, which was to be on September 20.

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"What do you think of that, Chunky?" asked Ned.
"It seems to hit us in the right spot," replied the heavy-weight youth. "I'm going to enter."
"So am I," came from Ned and Jerry in a chorus.
"Wouldn't it be great if one of us could win the first prize?" inquired Jerry. "Think of getting something worth two thousand dollars."
"I wonder what I'd take if I won?" asked Bob of no one in particular.
"I think we have as good a chance of winning as any one," proceeded Jerry.
"I don't doubt it," agreed Ned.
"Then let's agree," and Jerry's face was serious, "that if any of us captures that first prize we'll select an automobile touring car."
"An automobile?" exclaimed Ned.
"A touring car?" cried Bob.
"Certainly. Why not? Isn't that better than a horse, or a motor boat? Think what it would mean. We could travel all over,—make a tour of the United States perhaps. Yes, sir, that's the ticket! If we win let's get a touring car.
What do you say, boys?"

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For a few seconds the very audacity of the idea seemed to stagger Ned and Bob. They gradually recovered, and their eyes shone as they realized the possibilities of the plan.
"We'll do it!" exclaimed Ned.
"That's what we will!" asserted Bob.
"Then all we have to do is to go in and win that first prize," concluded Jerry. "We must begin practice at once."
"And there isn't the least doubt but what you'll win," exclaimed a mocking voice suddenly.
The boys turned, to behold Noddy Nixon grinning at them.
"Not the least in the world," went on the bully in tantalizing tones. "In fact I don't see why they hold any contest at all. The club might as well give you boys all three prizes. It would save a lot of work."
"Look here—," began Bob, but Ned placed a quieting hand on his shoulder.
"Don't reply to him," said Ned. "It may make trouble."
"You think because you won a little race a while ago that you can go in a big one," went on Noddy. "But you'll find that this is a different matter."
"I suppose you're going to enter?" asked Jerry.
"Is it any of your business if I do?" inquired Noddy.
"None at all," replied Jerry. "Only if you do decide to start in the races you might find this handy, in case you had to cut any wires, you know," and he handed Noddy the knife with the initials N. N. that the boys had found the day their cycles were disabled in the field.
"What's that?" asked Noddy, not seeing at first what it was that Jerry held toward him.
"It's a knife that I think belongs to you," said Jerry. "It has been used to cut wires with," he went on, "and it may come in handy for that purpose again."
"I don't know what you mean," Noddy responded, but a deep blush dyed his face and he looked very uncomfortable.
"Then you don't care to claim this?" asked Jerry as he saw Noddy turn aside.
"It isn't mine; why should I?" Noddy asked in turn, though the boys knew he was telling an untruth.
"Very well," Jerry said, replacing the knife in his pocket as Noddy hurried from the room.
"He's a cool one," commented Ned.
"That's what he is," assented Bob. "If he only knew all we know he would act differently."
"But it's not time to say anything yet," counseled Jerry. "We must go slow."

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The boys resumed their talk about the coming motor cycle races. They discussed the questions from all sides, and decided that, accidents excepted, they had at any rate as good a chance of winning, at least one of the prizes, as any one else.
"We'll form a community of interests," said Bob. "We'll race separately, but whoever wins pledges himself to get a touring automobile, if one can be had for the amount of the prize, and share it with the others. Is that a go?"
"It is," said Jerry.
"Every time, as far as I am concerned," was Ned's answer.

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Chapter XXVII. - NODDY NIXON'S MOVE (216-222)

Chapter XXVII.

When Mr. Slade had been informed of the outcome of the interview with Noddy, he said the boys had acted with caution and wisely.
“We will see if Noddy intends to settle and pay back the money,” said Ned’s father. “If he does not it is only right that his father should be informed, also the sheriff and Mr. Judson.”
There was nothing to do but to wait until the next day. The three chums spent some time in wondering what Noddy would do. Then Ned exclaimed:
“Say, we’re forgetting all about the race. Here it is Tuesday. The day after to-morrow we’ll have to make a try for that touring car, and we ought to be practicing.”
“Yes, and our wheels need overhauling,” suggested Jerry. “I’m going to put in new batteries. Don’t want to run any risk of the motor missing explosions when we’re on the track, you know.”
This was voted a wise precaution, and the motor boys separated, to go home after their cycles, agreeing to meet in the afternoon on the track for practice runs.

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Through a good part of the afternoon they went around and around at moderate speed, testing their motors thoroughly and practicing the turns. Others were doing the same, and no especial attention was drawn to our three heroes.
Along about five o’clock, most of the other prospective contestants having gone off, Jerry suggested it would be a good time to give the three motors a friendly trial. Accordingly a flying start was made from the judges’ stand, and each of the three boys soon had his cycle going at almost top speed.
At first there seemed to be little to choose from among them. They hung well together at the start, and then Ned began to forge ahead a little. He had acquired more momentum than the others, perhaps, or the difference that exists in two motors made exactly the same, gave his wheel one or two more revolutions a minute than Jerry’s or Bob’s.

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“Are you on full speed?” asked Jerry at length.
“No,” replied Ned and Bob.
“Turn on all the power you can,” was the suggestion. “Let’s see what we really can do on the track.”
The muffled explosions at once became more rapid. The wheels whizzed around the track faster and faster, and Jerry and Bob began to creep up on Ned, who was leading. Then they passed him, and he was half a length behind. Again Jerry forged in front of Bob, and it seemed that the prize motor was going to prove the fastest.
But a careful eye could see that Bob was beginning to regain his lost ground. The distance between his wheel and Jerry’s lessened until, after two more rounds Jerry and the stout youth were riding exactly on a line. Ned was perhaps a length behind.

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“I guess this will do,” called Jerry. “Shut down!”
Slowly the motors ceased their rapid explosions, and after another turn of the track the three boys came to a halt and dismounted.
“We’re pretty evenly matched,” said Ned. “My machine didn’t do as well as I expected though.”
They separated, arranging to be on hand at the old mill at ten o’clock the following morning, to clear up the last of the mill robbery mystery.

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“Jerry, I wish you would take this message over to Mrs. Northrup’s for me,” said Mrs. Hopkins to her son, after supper that evening. “I want her to come and do some sewing for me.”
“All right, mother,” responded the boy.
“Are you going on your machine?” asked his sister.
“No, sis. I don’t want to run any chance of puncturing a tire after dark. It’s too near the race for that. I’m going to walk.”

Off Jerry started. Mrs. Northrup lived in a cottage about a mile from Mrs. Hopkins. She was a widow who went out dressmaking. To get to her house Jerry had to pass the handsome residence of Mr. Nixon.
He looked at it as he went by on his way to deliver the message. There seemed to be no one about, and Jerry wondered if Noddy was at home, and what he was doing. Mrs. Northrup was in, and, as she wanted to write a reply to the note Jerry had brought, he had to wait a few minutes. Then the widow asked him all about himself and his family, and inquired about the coming race, which she had heard Jerry was interested in.
So, though the boy had meant to stay but a short time, he was there the better part of an hour, and, when he had the answer to his mother’s note and was on his way back, it was nine o’clock and quite dark.

As Jerry came in front of the Nixon residence he was surprised to see no lights in the house.
“That’s queer,” he said to himself. “The place is usually well lighted, for they always have company there. I guess Mr. and Mrs. Nixon must be away from home.”
He was about to pass on when he noticed a faint glimmer of light near the automobile shed, Mr. Nixon having recently purchased a big touring car.
“Rather dangerous to go out there with a lantern,” Jerry thought, “especially if they have oil and gasolene stored there. I wonder if Noddy is there?”

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There was a side street, rather narrow and seldom used, which extended along the Nixon property to the left. It passed close to the automobile shed, and a drive-way had been constructed to enable the machine to be taken out into the side roadway if desired.
Having nothing particular to hurry him, and being of a curious turn of mind, Jerry decided that he would walk down the narrow thoroughfare and look at the new automobile shed, which he had not seen at close range. Accordingly he turned from the main street and soon found himself opposite the shed. He stopped to look at it, and, as he did so, he heard voices in conversation. At the same time the flicker of a light through a crack in the shed door could be seen.
“I wonder if it’s thieves trying to steal the machine,” thought Jerry. “Guess I’ll watch a little while.”
He took a position behind a tree where he could see what went on without being observed. The voices in the shed grew louder.

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“I tell you I will take it!” some one exclaimed.
“That’s Noddy,” said Jerry softly.
“I know what I’m doing,” Noddy went on, seemingly in answer to an objection from some one whose words Jerry could not distinguish. “You can come along if you want to, or stay behind.”
Jerry shrank closer behind the tree. There was a glare of light as the shed door was opened, and in the beams the boy could distinguish the form of Bill Berry. That he and Noddy were planning some new escapade was evident.
“Is it all right?” asked Noddy, sticking his head out of the door.
“Yes.”
“Come on then,” went on the bully. “Put out the light. We’ve got to escape in the darkness. It’s a good thing the folks are away to-night. Well, here is where we leave Cresville behind, and those three cubs that got me into this trouble!”

Jerry heard the sound of the motor car being cranked up. Then, as he waited in the darkness, he saw the big touring machine glide out of the shed under Noddy’s guidance.
“Jump in, Bill!” called the youth, and Berry did as requested.
Noddy threw in the gear clutch, and the machine rolled slowly down the inclined drive-way to the street, right opposite Jerry, who still crouched behind the tree.
“He’s running away in his father’s automobile!” Jerry exclaimed softly. “I wonder if I ought to give an alarm?”
The motor car was now turning out into the main thoroughfare. It bore no lights and made scarcely any noise.
“No,” thought Jerry. “Let him go. It may be better that way.”
And so Noddy, afraid to face the consequences of his confessed crime, fled from his home. Pondering over what would be the outcome on the morrow, Jerry went home and to bed, resolving to get up early and tell his chums what he had seen.

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Chapter XXIX. - A TRIP OVERLAND PROPOSED (236-242)

Chapter XXIX.

Ned and Jerry had a hard time making their way through the throng to where Bob stood. The crowd evinced a desire to catch up the victor and carry him on their shoulders. That a boy of his age should have won a race where many veteran riders contested was no small honor, and the people of Cresville were proud of Bob. Even the girls went wild with delight.
“It was just grand!” cried Alice Vines.
“Oh, I felt like jumping up and down when you won,” came from Mollie Horton.
“I never saw anything more exciting,” put in Helen Gale.
And all three of the young ladies looked as if they wanted to hug the winner of the contest.
But Bob had no desire to be made a hero of, and dodged those who would have done him public honor. He slipped to one side, and managed to join his two chums.

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“Fine!” cried Jerry. “However did you do it?”
“I just took it easy until they thought I had no speed in my machine,” answered Bob, smiling. “Then, when I saw a chance, I let it out. I’m sorry you and Ned didn’t win though.”
There were other races to come, bicycle events, a running contest and a test against time by an automobile, but the boys wanted to get off by themselves and talk matters over, so they went to the dressing rooms, donned their street clothes, and, Jerry’s machine having been fixed, all three motors were left in charge of Pete Bumps.
The boys found a quiet corner of the grand stand and sat down to talk.

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“Do you still think you’ll ask for an automobile?” inquired Ned.
“Sure. That is if father will let me have one, and I don’t see why he will not.”
“If you get it we’ll have some jolly fun,” spoke Jerry. “Think of what we could do with it! Why, we could even make a trip overland!”
“That’s what we’ll do if our folks will let us,” agreed Bob. “Think of going across the United States in a touring car!”

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The athletic contests were soon over. Mr. Wakefield spied Bob in the grand stand.
“You’ll have to come out of that,” he cried with a laugh. “We want you.”
“What for?” asked the boy.
“The winners are to be formally announced in the club house, and their certificates are to be awarded. Come along!”
Rather against his will, for he did not like to be shown off before a crowd, Bob went. His two chums followed. The main room of the club house was filled with people who had witnessed the races. At the sight of Bob they set up a cheer, and the boy would have escaped had not Mr. Wakefield gently detained him.
Then came the announcements of the prizes, and the statement that Bob had come in first, and won the grand trophy, which was to be anything he might select at a cost of two thousand dollars.
“And here is a certificate to that effect,” said Mr. Wakefield, handing him an engraved card. “When you make up your mind what you want, let me know and you shall have it.”
“I know about what I want,” said Bob, “but I’ll have to ask my father first.”

Bob’s father had not had time to go to the races, it being impossible for him to leave the bank, and Bob made up his mind to ride down to the institution and tell the banker the result of the contest. He promised to meet his chums a little later, and let them know how Mr. Baker regarded the automobile project.
“Well, are the races over?” inquired the banker when his son came into the private office.
“Yes, sir.”
“How did you make out? Come in tenth or last?”
“I won.”
“You don’t mean to tell me you got first prize! Not the two thousand dollars?”
“That’s what I did, dad,” replied Bob, laughing.
“Shake hands!” exclaimed the banker. “I’m proud of you, Bob, my boy! What are you going to take as your prize?”
“I—that is we—er—you see,” burst out Bob, “Ned, Jerry and I agreed if either of us won, to ask for a touring automobile.”
“Good land, boy! what do you want of that?”
“We thought we’d take a trip across the country.”
“Well, well! This does beat all!” exclaimed Mr. Baker. “An automobile! Goodness gracious sakes alive! What a boy you are!” and Mr. Baker sighed and laughed by turns.

“Well, what did he say?” asked Ned and Jerry, when the stout youth joined them a little later.
“I think he’ll let me have it,” replied Bob, with all a boy’s positiveness.
“Then hurrah for the trip overland!” cried Ned. “Make way for the Motor Boys in their mad rush across the continent!” How the boys got their coveted auto, and how they went on a long trip, wherein they had many adventures, will be told in the next volume, to be called “The Motor Boys Overland, Or, A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune.”
In it Bob, Ned and Jerry will continue their adventures and, also, will be told how they took part in a mad race across the mountains to the gold mines, and how they met their old acquaintance, Noddy Nixon.

The boys got a taste of the pleasures of riding in an automobile that afternoon. After Bob’s announcement of what he thought his father’s decision would be they strolled about the town. As they were turning a corner they saw a big touring car approaching.
“Why, it’s Mr. Wakefield!” exclaimed Jerry. “I didn’t know he had a machine.”
“I wish he’d ask us to take a ride,” spoke Ned.
The car came nearer, vibrating with the power of its motor. Then it slowed down, ran close to the curb and stopped.
“Hello, boys!” exclaimed Mr. Wakefield. “Want to go for a spin?”
“Do we!” exclaimed Ned. “We were just wishing you would ask us. But I didn’t know you had an automobile.”
“I only got it to-day,” explained the athletic instructor. “I purchased one some time ago, and have been taking lessons in how to run one in Boston. They sent my car out to-day but I didn’t get a chance to try it until now because of the club races. Come on! Jump in!”
The three boys lost no time in complying. Bob got in the front seat with Mr. Wakefield, for he thought if he was to have an auto he had better learn as much about how to run one as he could. Jerry and Ned were in the back. Off they started and made good speed.

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“We’ll go out in the country a way,” said Mr. Wakefield. “I know a nice pleasant road.”
Soon the car swung into a broad highway shaded by big trees through which the sun, that was beginning to sink into the west, shone faintly. On and on they went for several miles. Then as the evening shadows were beginning to fall, Mr. Wakefield turned his car toward Cresville, which was reached all too soon for the boys, who had enjoyed their ride greatly.
“Thanks!” they chorused as they alighted. “It was great!”
“Glad you liked it,” returned Mr. Wakefield. “I will take you again, some time.”
“If we only had a car like that!” sighed Jerry, and Bob and Ned echoed his wish.

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