THE RACE
"Well," exclaimed Bert, drawing a long breath as he rose from his
cramped position beside the "Red Scout," "this machine is in as good
condition as I know how to put it, and if nothing happens I guess we can
show you fellows some speed this afternoon."
It was the morning of the long wished-for race and Bert was addressing
an excited group of boys, who were holding wrenches, oil cans, and such
other appliances as he might need in putting the finishing touches on
the pampered machine. The whole camp was in a ferment of excitement and
expectancy, and many were the heartfelt wishes for Bert's success.
To these boys it seemed the most important thing on earth that their
machine should win, and it is safe to say that if Bert had wanted to
remove a piece of black grease from the car and had not a cloth handy,
any one of them would have sacrificed his best handkerchief without a
moment's hesitation, and been glad to do it.
Fortunately, such a contingency did not arise, however, and finally the
last nut had been tightened and the last fine adjustment made, and
everything was ready for the start.
The race was scheduled to start at two o'clock, but as the boys had to
walk to the track, and this necessitated a long detour around the lake,
they started almost immediately after breakfast, so as to get there in
plenty of time.
The boys in the two rival camps were not the only persons interested in
the race by any means. News of it had leaked out over the surrounding
countryside during the week between the completion of arrangements and
the actual race, and now there promised to be a goodly attendance of
farmers and their families.
Considerable interest was taken in the camp by the kindly country folk,
and now the boys were surprised at the number of carriages and farm
wagons, full of jolly youngsters, that they met on their march.
Every one they met shouted cheery greetings to them, which they returned
with interest. It made them very happy to see the interest taken in them
by the farmers, and the very evident good will expressed by them. They
didn't take the trouble to figure out the reason for this, but it
was not very hard to find. The fact is, the boys were so manly and
well-behaved that they won their way into all hearts.
Many a time they had seen the boys stop their machine rather than
frighten a skittish horse, and more than one weary farmer had been
given a lift on his way home from some distant field.
So, as has been said, the boys were greeted with expressions of good
will on every side as they marched along, and it made them realize,
perhaps more than anything else could, that it paid to live a manly,
upright life.
Meanwhile, back in camp Mr. Hollis, Bert, and Dick, were having a final
discussion before leaving for the rival camp in the "Red Scout." It had
been decided that Dick was to ride with Bert in the race, and give him
any help that he might need.
The other boys had been bitterly disappointed, especially Tom, who had
counted right along on going.
"It only seems fair that I should go," he had contended. "Bert and I
have always been special pals, and I wanted to share any risk he is
going to take."
But Mr. Hollis was firm as a rock, as he well knew how to be when he
thought circumstances required it of him.
"I'm a little bit uneasy about the race, anyway," he explained, "and as
long as somebody has to take chances I want it to be some boy who is old
enough to be responsible for his own actions. I know nobody could fill
the place better than you, my boy, but I am sure that when you think
over what I have said you will agree with me in my decision," and Tom
had to admit to himself that, as usual, Mr. Hollis was right.
But now the time had come to leave for the rival camp, and Mr. Hollis
and Tom climbed into the tonneau, while Bert and Dick occupied the two
front seats.
Soon they had started, and as they went along Bert gave Dick his last
instruction. "Remember," said he, "that when we take the turns you must
lean as far toward the inside of the track as you can. This may not seem
to help much in keeping those inside wheels on the ground, but every
little thing like that does help, and I think that we will have to do
everything we know how to beat that 'Gray Ghost' of theirs. That car is no
slouch, as the saying goes, and Ralph Quinby knows his business."
"All right, Bert," replied Dick, "I'll try to remember all the things
you have told me. I really believe," he continued, laughing, "that I
have forgotten more about automobiles in the last week than I ever knew
before. I never had any idea that there was so much to know about a car,
and you certainly have got it down to perfection."
Bert was pleased at this evidently sincere tribute from Dick, and could
not prevent a slight flush of pleasure from mounting to his face.
"Well, Dick," he remarked after a moment, "all I've got to say is that
if such a trio as you and I and the old 'Red Scout' can't win that race,
there must be something the matter with the universe, that's all."
The rival camp all felt as confident as did Mr. Hollis' troop, however,
and to the impartial observer it would certainly have seemed as though
there was little to choose between the autos and their crews.
By this time they had come in sight of the old race track, and were
astonished, and, it must be confessed, somewhat confused at the sight
that met their eyes. There was an old rickety grand stand along one side
of the course, and this was literally packed with a bright-colored mass
of humanity. Even scattered around the infield there were quite a few
farm wagons, with their complement of folks out for a holiday.
"Say," said Dick to Bert in a low tone, "I didn't count on having an
audience like this. They'll guy the life out of us if we lose."
"Well," said Bert, who by this time had recovered from his first
astonishment, "that's all the more reason why we should win. We simply
can't let ourselves be beaten now, that's all there is about it."
But there was no time for further speculation, as Mr. Hollis was seen
approaching them, and it was evident the race must soon begin.
Bert ran the "Red Scout" around to a small shed in back of the grandstand,
and he and Dick made their final preparations. These consisted in taking
off the hood, or bonnet, altogether, and removing the exhaust pipes from
the motor. As Bert had already explained to Dick, this was done to
eliminate any back pressure from the exhaust gases. Under ordinary
conditions, this makes such a small difference in the power of a car
that it can hardly be said to count, but in a race every ounce of power
is required. This is done on every racing car, and that is why the
explosions make such loud, sharp reports when the car is in action.
It need hardly be said that every boy in Mr. Hollis's troop, except poor
Fred, was present, and many were the anxious looks cast at Bert and Dick
to see, if possible, how they felt about the outcome of the race. Both
had been trained to have control of their feelings, however, and so
outwardly they appeared to be very calm.
This was far from being the real state of their feelings, and both felt
as though their hearts had suddenly become too large and were trying to
get out between their ribs. They realized that it was not only their own
reputation that would suffer if they were defeated, but the whole camp
was involved. What would Mr. Hollis think of them if the other boys were
victorious? What would the boys who had such blind confidence in them
and the "Red Scout" do or say if the "Gray Ghost" won?
Such thoughts were demoralizing, however, and neither Bert nor Dick
entertained them any longer than they could help. Into both their faces
came that stern, resolved look that all the boys had seen at times and
come to love, and in the minds of Tom and the others all doubts as to
the final result vanished.
Meanwhile, Mr. Thompson's troop had been giving the "Gray Ghost" its
final touches, and now, at the sound of a mellow whistle, both Bert and
Ralph cranked their motors.
None of the boys had ever heard the unmuffled exhaust of a racing car
before, and at the savage roar that now issued from both cars all the
boys fell back several steps with scared faces. As soon as they realized
that the gasoline tank had not exploded, nor any other equally awful
thing occurred, they came forward and tried to ask questions, but in the
confined shed they could hardly hear the sound of their own voices.
Slowly the fire-spitting monsters were backed out of the shed, and their
respective drivers swung them around and on to the track. They were
greeted by a wave of cheering both from the boys and from the assembled
farmers, and more than one burly countryman who had come to the "kids'
racket" under protest was seen to sit up straight and open his eyes
wide.
No doubt many of them had expected to see a rather tame affair, and
in fact few of them had ever seen an automobile race, or knew the
tremendous speed of which a good car was capable, or realized the cool
head and steady nerves required to control the condensed power of forty
horses traveling at a speed of close to a mile a minute.
However, they were soon to experience a few of the thrills attendant on
such an occasion. The two leaders had been holding a consultation, and
now they approached the vibrating, eager cars.
Mr. Hollis was forced to shout to make himself heard above the din of
the exhausts. "It is understood," he said, "that this race is to be run
from a standing start, and is to be for a distance of ten miles, or ten
laps around the track. The cars must line up on the tape that we have
stretched in front of the grandstand, and at the report of my pistol
they are to start, each driver getting away as best he can. We have
drawn lots for the choice of position, and the 'Gray Ghost' won, and is
to have the inside position. Mr. Thompson and I will act as judges. Is
that perfectly clear?" to Bert and Ralph.
"Yes, sir," they both responded, and proceeded to manoeuvre their cars
into the appointed positions.
Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson took their places in the grandstand, part of
which the boys had been directed to reserve for them.
By this time the cars were in position, each one with its front wheels
resting on the strip of white tape. The "Gray Ghost" had a decided
advantage to start with, as it is evident that in any race the car that
has the inside position, that is, the part of the track nearest to the
center of the field, has a slightly lesser distance to travel than the
car on the outside, and in a close race every few feet count.
But now there was a breathless hush over the grandstand, and all eyes
were on Mr. Hollis's hand, holding the pistol aloft. Bert and Ralph were
bent over their levers, every muscle tense, and nerves stretched to the
breaking point.
Crack! went the pistol. With a mighty roar, and the blue flames spitting
from the exhaust ports, the two great machines bounded forward, and
almost with one movement Bert changed the gears from first to second,
from second to high. At every change the willing car leaped ahead with
ever-increasing momentum, and Bert felt a wild thrill run through his
body as he realized the vast force beneath him, subject only to his
control.
The "Gray Ghost" had made almost as good a start, however, and now,
although the "Red Scout" had a slight lead, the inside position began to
tell, and the "Gray Ghost" gained a trifle.
Dick, who had been looking back over his shoulder, now turned to Bert
and yelled excitedly in his ear, "Sock it to her, Bert! Give her the
gas! They're gaining on us!"
They had now covered the first lap, and the speedometer hand on the "Red
Scout's" dashboard registered a speed of fifty miles an hour. Bert knew
he could do better than that, but remembered Mr. Hollis's instructions
not to take any unnecessary chances. The machine was working beautifully,
and a wave of pride surged over him as he thought that this was largely
due to the care and work he had bestowed upon it.
But now the "Gray Ghost" was ranging alongside--ahead--
"Give her a pump full of oil, Dick," yelled Bert to his friend, and
opened the throttle a trifle wider.
The machine answered like a thing of life. The wind whistled in their
ears, the track seemed a mere gray blur racing away behind them, and
the mighty speed song of the ravening motor was like music in their
ears.
Faster and faster they flew, the two cars keeping pace side by side, and
the speedometer hand creeping up--up.
Fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-six! it registered, and the flying cars
seemed barely to touch the ground. On the straight stretch in front of
the grandstand they gathered such speed that at the turns the rear
wheels skidded, throwing up showers of dirt, and the drivers were forced
to slow down a little or the machines would surely have collided.
Up to that time neither car had a decided advantage, but now they had
covered the eighth lap, and both crews realized that the time had
arrived to call on the racing engines for their final and greatest
effort.
The crowds in the stands were yelling like maniacs, as each car in turn
pushed its nose ahead of the other. But Bert and Dick heard nothing
but the terrific roar of the racing cars. Their pulses beat like
trip-hammers; their eyes were starting from their heads. They felt
rather than saw that the "Gray Ghost" was gaining--gaining only a
little, inch by inch, but gaining. Now it had come abreast; now it was
slowly but surely forging ahead. It looked as though the "Red Scout" had
"shot its bolt," and its partisans in the grandstand groaned in an
agony of apprehension that was fast becoming despair, while their rivals
danced up and down and shrieked encouragement to their gray champion.
Now they were on the last lap, and suddenly Bert leaned forward and
advanced his spark to the limit. It was do or die. His heart exulted as
he felt the splendid car leap forward. He took a firmer grip on the
wheel and threw the throttle wide open. His mysterious "sixth sense" had
told him that he had something in reserve, and now the "Red Scout"
justified his judgment. It leaped, it flew. It collared the "Ghost"
just as they turned into the stretch, and tore down the course, the
explosions of its motor blending together in one deafening volley of
defiance as it drew away from its rival. Across the line it flew like a
rocket, the pistol cracked, and--_the race was won_!
[Illustration: Across the line it flew like a rocket.--(_See page 217_)]
Both cars made another circuit of the track before they were able to
stop, and then drew up in front of the grandstand.
Immediately the crowd surged down, and in a moment the two contestants
were surrounded by a frenzied mob of shouting and hat-throwing boys, and
almost equally excited, if less demonstrative, country people.
Mr. Hollis pressed forward and grasped the hands of Bert and Dick, one
in each of his. "You did nobly, boys," he exclaimed, but there was a
catch in his voice, and his face looked gray and drawn, "you did great
work, but I would not consent to your racing again for all the money in
the world. It is altogether too dangerous."
But by this time the defeated boys belonging to Mr. Thompson's troop had
recovered a little from their chagrin, and now elbowed their way through
the crowd, headed by their leader and Ralph Quinby.
Like the clean-cut and manly fellow that he was, Ralph walked up and
shook hands with Bert and Dick in turn.
"Well," he said, "you fellows certainly put up a great race, and we have
nothing more to say. It was simply a case of the best car winning,
that's all."
Bert appreciated his manly spirit, and replied, "It was simply a matter
of the 'Red Scout' having a little more speed. If we exchanged cars, you
would win and we would lose. You gave us a hard tussle up to the last
second."
All the other boys showed the same feeling as had Ralph, and both
parties separated with mutual expressions of esteem and good will.
All the members of Mr. Hollis's troop that could do so crowded into the
"Red Scout," and various good-natured farmers volunteered to make room
in their capacious wagons and take the rest home. Room was even found
for Don, who had been an excited spectator of the race and was now
regarded by the jubilant boys as their mascot.
"It's little enough to do at that," remarked one husky agriculturist.
"I'd be willing to cart the whole outfit over and back a dozen times for
the sake of seeing another race like that. I wish old Dobbin could hike
along like them things."
And in this he expressed the general sentiment of the crowd.
As they traveled campward through the cool twilight the boys shouted and
sang, and in a thousand other noisy but harmless ways found a vent for
their overflowing enthusiasm.
Bert and Dick were the heroes of the day, as they well deserved to be.
The race was run again at least a hundred times, and by the time they
struck camp they had quieted down to some extent. Their beloved car had,
of course, reached camp ahead of them, and now, as they alighted and
caught sight of Bert and Dick, their enthusiasm flamed up again, and
cheer after cheer resounded through the silent woods.
At last they cooled down sufficiently to go to bed, but it was a long
time before they finally got to sleep. Bert and Dick shook hands before
parting to go to their different tents. For a few seconds they looked
into each other's eyes, and the grip of their hands tightened before
they finally separated and said good night. For when two good comrades
meet danger face to face and win out, a new and never-to-be-forgotten
bond is riveted between them that lasts through life.
* * * * *
It was a wildly hilarious group of campers who sat down to a piping hot
breakfast the next morning. Some, indeed, had hardly slept at all, so
great was their rejoicing at the "Red Scout's" glorious victory. They
had won and the much-vaunted "Gray Ghost" had had to "take their dust."
What if it were their last day in camp? As Jim, who was famous for
mixing his figures of speech, said, "The camp, anyway, was breaking up
in a blaze of glory." Every exciting detail of the great struggle was
rehearsed and enlarged upon, times without number. They crowded round
the splendid car and praised it and patted it as though it were alive
and could understand how proud they were of its victory.
And Bert! If he had been anything but the fine, manly fellow he was, he
would have been utterly spoiled by the plaudits heaped upon him. He had
been their hero before; now he was their idol. His skill, his judgment,
his nerve, were dwelt upon to the exclusion of everything else; but he
modestly disclaimed any credit and put it all up to the car. "This is
the fellow that did it all," he said, patting the great machine
affectionately.
"Yes," quoted Dick,
"'This is the steed that saved the day,
By carrying Sheridan into the fight
From Winchester, twenty miles away,'
but all the same," he went on, "the steed saved the day because Sheridan
was on his back, and the 'Red Scout' saved the day because Bert Wilson
was at the wheel." And to this the whole camp gave a thundering chorus
of assent.
And Bert was at the wheel that afternoon, when, after "three times
three" given for the "Red Scout" and its driver, the noble car stood
panting, crowded to the guards with as many as could tumble in, ready to
lead the way to the station where they were to take the train to the
city.
"I tell you, Tom," he said, as he grasped the wheel and the great car
sprang forward, "I never expect to have so much pleasure and excitement
in my life as I have had this summer."
But Bert was mistaken. A broader field and greater triumphs lay before
him--exploits that would tax every ounce of brain and muscle; victory
snatched from defeat amid the applause of excited thousands. How he met
the test and won his fight will be told in the next volume, "Bert
Wilson's Fadeaway Ball."
THE END
THE BERT WILSON SERIES
By J. W. DUFFIELD
An excellent series of stories for boys, full of outdoor life and
adventures, athletic sports, etc. Wholesome, clean and instructive.
=BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL=
An absorbing story of automobile exploits, abounding in stirring
experiences and exciting adventures.
=BERT WILSON'S FADEAWAY BALL=
How a baseball pennant was won by the masterly pitching of the young
Freshman recruit is told in crisp, snappy fashion, with a wealth of
thrilling detail that will delight the lovers of the great national
game.
=BERT WILSON, WIRELESS OPERATOR=
Perils of storm and shipwreck, head-hunters and pirates, are woven into
a romance of compelling power that chains the attention at once and
holds it to the end.
=BERT WILSON, MARATHON WINNER=
How the pick of the world's athletes struggled for supremacy and how the
representative of the Stars and Stripes carried off the crowning victory
at the great Olympic games.
_Others in preparation_
12mo, cloth, with four illustrations in each, by H. G. Richards.
Price each, 60 cents.
=SULLY AND KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
THE BERT WILSON SERIES
By J. W. DUFFIELD
_THE FOLLOWING TITLES ARE IN PREPARATION_
=BERT WILSON AT PANAMA=
A host of thrilling adventures is woven into this stirring story of the
young American who thwarts by his quick wit and determined courage a
plot to destroy the great canal. Brimming with interest from cover to
cover.
=BERT WILSON'S TWIN-CYLINDER RACER=
A motor-cycle romance of speed and daring that will stir the blood and
make the heart beat faster. How sheer pluck that refused to be downed
won out against foul play and tremendous odds.
=BERT WILSON ON THE GRIDIRON=
The "never-say-die" spirit of college football that makes it such a
glorious game sparkles on every page. A gripping story of "bucking the
line" and "going round the ends," culminating in the great run down the
field in the last minute of play that snatched victory from defeat.
=BERT WILSON IN THE ROCKIES=
Full of life and spirit, dash and danger in the wild regions of the
West. The picturesque figures of the frontier--greasers and grizzlies,
rustlers and road agents--appear in adventures that make one throb and
tingle with excitement.
12mo, cloth, with four illustrations in each, by H. G. Richards.
Price each, 60 cents.
=SULLY AND KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
Publications of Sully and Kleinteich
THE "HOW" BOOKS
=HOW TO MAKE THINGS=
By Archibald Williams
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This is just the book for the active youth who has got beyond the period
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book is very fully illustrated with useful diagrams drawn exactly to
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12mo. Cloth, 450 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
Price $1.20 net
=HOW IT IS DONE=
_OR, VICTORIES OF THE ENGINEER_
By Archibald Williams
Author of "How It is Made," "How It Works," "How To Make Things."
Describing in simple language how the great engineering achievements in
all parts of the world have been accomplished. It is a book brimful of
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12 mo. Cloth. 450 pages, with 268 illustrations and diagrams.
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=HOW IT IS MADE=
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Describing in simple language how various machines and many articles in
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12mo. Cloth. 474 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
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=HOW IT WORKS=
By Archibald Williams
Author of "How It is Done," "How To Make Things," "How It is Made."
It deals in simple language with Steam, Electricity, Light, Heat, Sound,
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12mo. Cloth. 461 pages, with illustrations and diagrams.
Price $1.20 net
=HOW IT FLIES=
_OR, THE CONQUEST OF THE AIR_
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12mo. Cloth. 476 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
Price $1.20 net
THE GATEWAY SERIES
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The ethical stories in the Sunshine and Shadow Series have been
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The Sorrow of Demeter -- The Sleep of Endymion -- Niobe and Leto --
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By MAY WYNNE
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The Autobiography of a Pony
By A. E. BONSER
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=A BOOK OF BIRDS AND BEASTS=
OR
_THE LAW OF KINDNESS_
134 pages and 32 colored illustrations
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189 pages and 32 colored illustrations
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A book of Fairy Tales for Boys and Girls containing; The Three Bears --
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Cherry -- Little Snowdrop -- The Goose Girl -- The Fairies of the
Caldon-Low.
=THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD=
Formerly published under the title of
"The World by the Fireside."
By MARY and ELIZABETH KIRBY. Crown. 8 vo. Cloth. Hundreds of
illustrations. Price $1.50
This volume brings the world, that is so full of wonders, to our own
fireside.
The book is embellished with pictures of the various scenes and objects
described, in order to make it more attractive.
=THE WONDERS OF THE SEA=
Formerly published under the title of
"The Sea and Its Wonders."
By MARY and ELIZABETH KIRBY. Crown. 8 vo. Cloth. Hundreds of
illustrations. Price $1.50
Wonders abound in the Ocean. It is a world in itself, and is subject to
its own laws.
"In this great and wide sea are creeping things innumerable, both small
and great."
The various chapters are amply illustrated with drawings taken from
life, and on which the utmost care has been bestowed.
Sully and Kleinteich--New York
THE
BOOK OF INDOOR
AND
OUTDOOR GAMES
BY
MRS. BURTON KINGSLAND
With suggestions for entertainments. Illustrated.
12mo. Cloth. $1.00
A veritable encyclopaedia of games, pastimes, and entertainment.
CONTENTS
Games of Thought, Wit and Memory -- Progressive Games -- Card Games --
Children's Games -- Children's Singing Games -- Games for Sunday
Evenings -- Catches and Riddles -- Fortune Telling -- Mesmerism --
Children's Parties -- Special Dinners, Dances and Luncheons --
Tableaux -- Wedding Anniversaries.
"Without touching on the side of profit-yielding occupations, and with
more stress laid down upon the social side of life, this book will prove
a real treasure for those lacking in invention, and will bring delight
to many a dull or rainy day."--_The Dial_
=Sully and Kleinteich--New York=
The Golden River Series
=Bound in cloth 16mo. With a colored panel Illustration on front
cover--title stamped in gold=
=PRICE EACH= =50 Cents=
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. 8 colored illustrations.
Anderson's Fairy Tales. (Ugly Duckling.) 4 colored illustrations.
Water Babies. 4 " "
The King of the Golden River. 8 " "
Arabian Nights. 5 " "
Gulliver in Lilliput. 4 " "
Don Quixote. 4 " "
Stories from Hiawatha. 6 " "
Tanglewood Tales. 4 " "
John Halifax's Boyhood. 4 " "
Tales of a Grandfather. 6 " "
David and Emily. 6 " "
Nell and Her Grandfather. 4 " "
Stories from Spenser. 8 " "
Rose and the Ring. 4 " "
Knights of the Grail. 8 " "
Sir Thomas Thumb. 8 " "
Linden Leaf. 8 " "
Undine. 8 " "
Maggie and Tom Tulliver. 4 " "
Children of the Old Testament. 6 " "
Children of the New Testament. 6 " "
Six Gifts. 6 " "
Kingsley's Heroes. 4 " "
Adventures of Ulysses. 6 " "
Golden Deeds. 6 " "
Stories from Tennyson. 6 " "
Tales from Shakespeare. 6 " "
Stories from Chaucer. 4 " "
Cox's Greek Heroes. 4 " "
=SULLY & KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
Transcriber's Notes:
--Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
--Text in bold is enclosed by "equal" signs (=bold=).
--Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected,
except as noted below.
--Colon (:) punctuation has been retained as in original.
--Normalized variations of Red Scout and Gray Ghost to 'Red Scout'
and 'Gray Ghost' within quoted speech and "Red Scout" and
"Gray Ghost" in all other cases.
--Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
--Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.
--Spaced dashes used in some back matter for better wrapping of text.
End of Project Gutenberg's Bert Wilson at the Wheel, by J. W. Duffield