ther side of the rail, with the middle one
directly over the strip of steel. Where the runway came to an end some
dirt was used to make an even slope down to the rail, thus taking up
the thickness of the plank.

Joe wheeled his machine to the far end of the wooden structure which
was made firm by having cinder-dust banked against it. The motor-cycle
was held up by willing hands on either side, and Joe started it. With a
pop, a rattle and a roar the powerful machine was in motion.

"Let go!" cried Joe, as he threw in the gear.

Off he went. Joe held the handles firm, and his eye was fixed on that
shining strip of steel along which--if he had luck--he would soon be
speeding.

He opened up the throttle wide. He wanted speed and he needed it as
quickly as he could get it, for on speed alone could he depend to keep
the machine on the narrow steel path.

Joe heard a shout behind him, and, almost before he knew it, he was at
the end of the runway and his front wheel was on the rail.

"So far so good!" thought Joe grimly. If he could only keep the machine
there all would be well.

And then began such a ride as probably never before was witnessed. For
Joe Strong, holding his machine with firm muscles, his nerves as quiet
as only he knew how to make them, his eyes fixed on that shiny strip of
steel, was driving his motor-cycle across the high trestle on a single
rail.

Below him, at his right hand, was the deep valley, more than a hundred
feet down. It was covered with trees and rocks, with here and there a
grassy patch.

"If I fall on that side I hope I can pick out a bit of turf to land
on," thought Joe. But he did not intend to fall.

Straight and true he held the front wheel. It needed no pressure on the
handle bars. It would keep straight of itself now, for the motor-cycle
was going at great speed. That alone would keep it in a true course if
no pressure from Joe swerved it. And his hands were on the bars with as
delicate a touch as a woman might have used.

In about half a minute Joe was out over the stream which the trestle
spanned.

"This would be the best place of all to take a tumble," mused the lad.
He knew if he did fall here he would at least have a chance for his
life. For he could kick the machine away from him, and dive into the
water. And he felt that it was not too high a fall to take with
comparative safety if there was any depth at all to the stream.

But almost before Joe realized it he had f