"Um!" murmured Bess. She was afraid to open her mouth lest she
should lose her breath in the wind.

"Look out for that wagon!" Walter suddenly called to Cora.

A clumsy vehicle was some distance in advance, and seemed to be
standing still, so slow was the movement. Ida was nearer to it than
the others, and as she passed it she swung safely to one side,
giving several disconcerting blasts on the horn as she did so. She
was proving herself a good driver.

Somehow Bess had managed to distance the big car and had swung to
second place. Cora thought she had her machine going at full speed,
but either it had not "warmed up" yet, or she was not properly
feeding the gasolene, and had not correctly adjusted the sparking
device.

Just as Cora was about to pass the wagon, which feat Bess had now
safely negotiated, the old man driving it seemed to awaken from a
nap. He appeared to remember something he had forgotten and pulled
his horses to one side--the wrong side--toward Cora's car, which was
rushing right at him! The Whirlwind was almost upon the wagon!

"Mercy!" screamed. Mary. "We'll be smashed!"

"Steady!" called Cora, though her face went white.

Walter reached over, as if to take the wheel from the girl. She
stopped him by a shake of her head, and then braced herself for what
was coming. She screamed at the top of her fresh, clear voice: