A fall from the road into it, at the speed at which they were going, would certainly mean death. Could the two boys escape? CHAPTER II. OUT OF A PERILOUS SITUATION. Joe and Dick had to think and act quickly, for they were going at such speed that another second must decide their fate. “To the right!” yelled Joe. There was no time to say more. He switched off, and at the same time threw his whole weight over. The wheels of his bicycle slid along the road several yards, and it was only Joe’s skill that prevented him from taking the nastiest kind of a header. Then he ran upon some planking from the torn-away bridge. Dick tried to follow his lead, but was not so fortunate. He flew off his machine, and when Joe stopped, Dick went sailing directly over his head. Both finally found themselves mixed up in a mass of planks and beams. At first Joe could scarcely collect his thoughts. His clothing was much torn, and his left arm had been badly wrenched. Dick Burns was unconscious. Joe thought for the instant his friend was killed, and in his horror forgot all about his own bruises. He picked Dick up and laid him down on the near-by grass. Then Dick stirred slightly, and Joe knew he was still alive. He ran down to a pool and got some water in his cap, with which he bathed Dick’s face. He also rubbed his chum’s wrists. Finally he had the satisfaction of seeing Dick open his eyes with a deep sigh. “Dick, are you hurt?” he asked. “I don’t know. I hit my chest.” “Maybe you broke a rib or two?” “I don’t know.” It was fully fifteen minutes before Dick felt like sitting up. By that time he felt sure that no bones had been broken. But he was so sore he could not think of riding home. “We will have to go back to Greenpoint, and I would give out inside of a mile,” he said. “If I could get a wagon we might drive home,” said Joe. They talked the matter over, and finally our hero started off to hunt up a wagon. He knew a number of farmers in the district, and felt pretty certain he could get a turnout from one or the other of them, especially when he made known that he wanted to take home Lawyer Burns’ son, who had been hurt. Joe’s wheel, strange to say, had sustained no damage outside of a few bent spokes, and now he went off on the machine, leaving Dick sitting on the old bridge lumber. “Come back as soon as you can, Joe.” “Of course, Dick.” The river was soon left out of sight, and Joe turned into a by-road, lined on either side with heavy trees. Beneath, the trees formed an archway, which in the heat of the day gave a grateful shade to travelers. But now, in spite of the moonlight, it was very dark here, and Joe had to slacken his speed for fear of going into a hole or striking a stone. “I don’t want another trip-up,” he thought, as he pedaled along. “One such in a month is enough.” Our hero was very thankful that he had escaped a plunge into the river.