"Just leave out Cobb, boys," remarked Elmer, as he worked rapidly. "Why?" demanded Toby. "Oh, he's all in, for a fact!" laughed the other. "But say, we didn't pass Cobb; unless he was lying in the bushes along the side of the road. How d'ye know he's given up the fight, Elmer?" questioned Toby, bent on finding out. "I saw him sitting in that number four station, with one of his feet on a chair, and being bound up," replied the scout leader. "Shucks, you don't say so!" exclaimed Nat. "Whatever in the wide world do you think can have happened to him?" "Perhaps he's been bit by a mad dog!" suggested Toby. "Might a' been a rattlesnake; I've heard tell about lots of the critters being found up this way. One man used to hunt 'em just for the skins and the rattlesnake oil he got. Some people say it's mighty fine for rheumatism; and athletes use it a heap. Say, Elmer, what d'ye think?" Nat went on. "Oh, nothing like all that stuff," chuckled the other. "Henry has just sprained his ankle, I reckon, and is getting it bound up. That eliminates all the Fairfield contestants but one--Felix Wagner." "And him the most dangerous of the bunch!" muttered Toby. "How does it come on, Elmer; think you can get it fixed? Gee, I hope so, because I'd sure hate to drop out now!" said Nat. "It's going to be all right; just give me three minutes more, and I'll have it in shape for a long run," came the reply. "Oh, that sounds good to me!" declared Nat; "because I do want to be in at the finish"; and secretly behind Elmer's back he doubled up his fist, showed it to Toby and the two conspirators grinned and nodded, as though they had their minds fully made up as to what they meant to do if the chance opened. Elmer knew what he was saying when he made that promise. By the time the three minutes were up he handed the motorcycle over to its owner. "There you are, Nat; give the engine a tryout," he said. And as the other did so, with the result that the explosions started off with a rush such as Nat had not been acquainted with of late, he gave a shout. "Runs bully, Elmer, you're just a wiz, when it comes to tinkering with things. I bet you the old hippo runs like a scared dog now. Here goes, fellows!" He jumped for the saddle, almost missed it, and managing to climb on, went along the road furiously, though quickly slackening his speed as Elmer called out. "How is it?" asked the latter, as he overtook Nat. "Just oh be joyful, that's what!" answered Nat, who seemed tickled at the way his rackety machine was now behaving. "Why, she answers to the least touch, and is as spry as a young colt. I'm almost afraid she'll take a sudden notion to run away with me yet, Elmer." "There's Red, boys! He's still hitting up the pace; but it's only grit that carries him on now!" observed Elmer.