"Are you going to try the bridge?" shouted Paul. "I don't see how I can help it," replied Dick. "If I turn into the ditch we'll sure upset." "Maybe the bridge is stronger than they think," suggested Innis. "It looks all right." "That's the way with those country bridges," said Paul, bitterly. "They never keep 'em in repair, and even a heavy truck may go through. It's a shame!" "Well, get ready for something, fellows!" said Dick, grimly. "Do you want to jump?" "I guess it's the only thing to do," declared Paul. "There's grass on both sides of the road, and we can't be much hurt. You go first, Dick." "No, you fellows try it. I've got to hold this wheel. The minute I let go this auto is going to be like a wild horse, trying to climb the first tree in sight. Jump, while I hold her steady. Then I'll take my chance." "I'll steer for you," offered Innis, gallantly. "No, let me!" insisted Paul. "I tell you I'll stick to my machine until she smashes!" cried Dick, sharply. "You fellows jump while you've got the chance. I'll try and hold her until she gets to the bridge, and then I may be able to land in the water. Go ahead." "It's a shame!" cried Paul. "To see this dandy car go to smash." "It can't be helped," replied Dick, sadly. Paul opened the door on one side, and Innis on the other. They got in good positions to make their leap. The man on the bridge was still waving his signal of danger, uselessly it seemed, for the big car was headed straight for the structure. Dick gave a sharp glance ahead, and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Then he called out, hoarsely: "Wait a minute, fellows! Hold on! Don't jump yet! Maybe there's a way out yet!" "How?" yelled Paul. "See! There's a ford at one side of the bridge!" and Dick nodded his head toward a place where the road over the structure branched off, dividing; one side going down a slope into the stream of water, and up again on the other side, to join the highway past the bridge. This path was used by those who wished to water their horses, or swell their dried wagon-wheels. It was also a ford in case the bridge was out of commission for heavy loads, as at present. "What's your game?" cried Innis. "I'm going to try to send the auto down that ford-road," replied the young millionaire. "It's soft and sandy. If I can make the change the soft dirt may clog the wheels enough, and slacken our speed, so that we can get over the creek safely. It's worth trying--in fact, it's the only thing we can do. Hold on!" Nearer and nearer to the bridge thundered the big car. The man with the red handkerchief had leaped out of the way now, fearing the collapse of the structure. But Dick did not intend to trust himself to the weakened beams and king-braces. Narrowly watching the road where it forked into the ford, or crossing, Dick swerved the steering wheel ever so little at a time. A sudden change in the course, he knew, would mean an overturned auto, and possibly serious injury to all of them.