and, though none of them seemed as speedy as Noddy's new machine,
there was no talk of dropping out on the part of those who had
entered. That gave the boys more courage, and they decided to stick,
even though their chances were not good.

Noddy did not speak to them, though he passed them several times. Nor
did he appear very popular with the other autoists. He had several
young men with him, and they made things rather lively about the
hotel, occasionally giving what seemed to be college yells.

"They're regular 'rah-rah' boys," said Bob, in contempt.

Early that afternoon just before the race Bob, Jerry and Ned spent an
hour in going over their car, making some adjustments, and seeing that
the tires were in good shape. Almost at the last minute Jerry decided
to put the non-skidding chains on the rear wheels.

"Those turns, which are not banked much, are dangerous," he said, "I'm
not going to take any chances. We don't want to turn turtle."

There was much activity about the hotel as the hour for the contest
arrived. Noddy's car seemed the finest of the six that lined up at the
starting tape. The motor boys had drawn a position next to the bully
and his cronies.

Noddy glanced contemptuously at them.

"You must think it's winter, putting chains on," he remarked to Jerry,
who had been chosen to steer.