lungs.

But it was too late. The occupant of the strange automobile-- for the
machine carried but a single person-- tried to come to a stop. The
brakes groaned and squeaked, and the car swept slightly to one side,
thus avoiding the Rovers' machine. Then, with power thrown off and the
hand-brake set, it rolled out on the bridge. There was a snap,
followed by a tremendous crash, and the next instant machine and
driver disappeared with a splash into the swiftly-flowing river.

CHAPTER II

TO THE RESCUE

The accident at the bridge had occurred so suddenly that, for the
instant, neither Rover boy knew what to do. They saw that the farther
end of the bridge had given way completely. Just where the end rested
in the water they beheld several small objects floating about, one of
them evidently a cap, and another a small wooden box. But the
automobile with its driver was nowhere to be seen.

"My gracious! That fellow will surely be drowned!" gasped Sam, on
recovering from the shock. "Tom, do you see him anywhere?"

"No, I don't." Tom took a few steps forward and gazed down into the
swiftly-flowing stream. "Perhaps he is pinned under the auto, Sam!"

"Wait, I'll get the searchlight," cried the younger Rover, and ran
back to their automobile. The boys made a point of carrying an
electric pocket searchlight to be used in case they had to make