service to his rival or not, but his duty lay plain before him.
He must outdistance the enemy.

A second team came plunging down the road from the canary car,
close behind the unfortunate wagon. These horses, too, were
instantly mixed in the wreck. The wagon did not turn turtle as
the one before it had done, but one of the horses went down.

Now came other wagons of the Sparling outfit. They were running
two abreast in the road. But the drivers saw the obstruction in
time, slowed down and dodged it. They were off at a tremendous
speed, and a few moments later branched off on different roads,
quickly disappearing in a cloud of dust.

Phil's wagon crew discovered a farm barn just ahead of them.
They drove up to it on a run. All hands piled out. And how they
did work! In a few moments the old barn was a blaze of color.

"First blood for the Sparling Combined Shows!" shouted the boy.
"Now hit the trail for all you are worth!"

They were off again. A cloud of dust to their rear told them
that one of their rival's wagons was after them. At the next
stop the pursuing wagon rolled by them, the men
yelling derisively.

"It is the Wallace Show's crowd!" shouted Phil.
"Get after them."

The Wallace people went on half a mile further. As Phil drew