ke went out West, their
adventures there being told in the volume of that name. They had
their fill of cowboys and Indians, and, incidentally, were in no
little danger.

Afterward they went to the Pacific Coast, thence to the jungle,
where many stirring wild animal scenes were obtained, and
afterward they had many adventures in Earthquake Land. There they
were in great danger from tremors of the earth, and from
volcanoes, but good luck, no less than good management, brought
them home with whole skins, and with their cases filled with rare
films.

Having finished in the land of uncertainty, the work assigned to
them by Mr. Hadley and his associates, Joe and Blake had gone for
their vacation to the farm of Mr. Hiram Baker, near Central Falls.
But their intention of enjoying a quiet stay was rudely
interrupted.

For not long after they had arrived, and were resting quietly
under a cherry tree in the shade, Mr. Ringold, with whom they were
also associated in moving picture work, called them up on the long
distance telephone to offer them a most curious assignment.

This was to go to the flooded Mississippi Valley, and get moving
pictures of the "Father of Waters" on one of "his" annual
rampages.

Of course Blake and Joe went, and their adventures in the flood
fill the volume immediately preceding this one.

And now they had returned, anticipating a second session of their
vacation. They had brought a motor cycle with which to go about
the pretty country surrounding Central Falls.

"For," reasoned Blake, "we haven't much time left this summer, and
if we want to enjoy ourselves we'll have to hustle. A motor cycle
is the most hustling thing I know of this side of an automobile,
and we can't afford that yet."

"I'm with you for a motor cycle," Joe had said. So one was
purchased, jointly.

It was on returning from a pleasant ride that our heroes had seen
the runaway with which we are immediately concerned. They were now
speeding after the maddened horse dragging the frail carriage,
hoping to get ahead of and stop the animal before it either
crashed into the frail barrier, and leaped into the ravine, or
upset the vehicle in trying to make the turn into the temporary
road.

"There he is!" suddenly cried Blake. The motor cycle, bearing the
two chums, had made the curve in the road successfully and was now
straightened up on a long, level stretch. And yet not so long,
either, for not more than a quarter of a mile ah