as a
speedy one, but no creature of bone, blood, muscles and sinews can
distance a fire-spitting and smoke-eating machine like a motor
cycle. The distance was gradually being cut down.

But now, just ahead of them, was the curve, immediately beyond
which was the broken bridge, and also the temporary one, shunting
off at a sharp angle from the main highway.

"Look out! Hold on!" once more cried Blake, speaking in quick
tones.

For a moment Joe wondered at the added caution, and then he sensed
what Blake was about to do.

To one side of them stretched a level field. The road made a
slight detour about it, just before meeting the ravine, and by
crossing this field it was possible for the boys to reach the
bridge ahead of the swaying carriage. But at the speed they were
now running it was dangerous, and risky in the extreme, to run
across the uneven meadow. Blake, however, evidently was going to
chance it.

"Hold fast!" he cried once more, and Joe had no more than time to
take a firmer grip on the bar in front of him, and to cling with
his legs to the foot supports and saddle, than they were off the
road, and into the green field. The fence had been taken down to
allow for the storage of bridge-building material in the meadow.

"Now we'll get him!" cried Blake, but he spoke too soon. For the
motor cycle had not gone ten feet into the uneven field, jolting,
swaying and all but throwing off the moving picture boys, than the
sound of the explosions suddenly ceased, and the machine began to
slacken speed.

With a quickness that was added to by the rough nature of the
ground, the motor cycle slowed up and stopped.

"What's the matter?" cried Joe, putting down his feet to support
the machine.

"Something's busted--gasoline pipe, I guess!" cried Blake. "Come
on! We've got to run for it!"

The accident had occurred only a short distance from the road.
Together the two chums, leaping clear of the motor cycle, made for
it on the run.

But they were too late. They had a glimpse of the runaway horse
dashing straight at the fence barrier.

The next moment there was a splintering crash, and he was through
it.

"Oh!" cried Blake.

The thunder of the horse's hoofs on what was left of the wooden
approach to the broken bridge drowned his words.

Then the animal, with a leap, disappeared over the jagged edges of
the planks. The boys expected to see the carriage and the two
occupants follow, but to their intense surpris