"It may be a cold day for somebody before we get through," was all
Jerry replied.

"You haven't the ghost of a show," called one of Noddy's companions.
"You'll think you're standing still when we start."

The others laughed at this joke, and Noddy seemed pleased. There was a
short consultation among the judges and other officials, and, a moment
later, a white puff of smoke was seen hovering above the uplifted
revolver of the starter. Then came a sharp crack, and the panting
machines, the engines of which had been put in motion some time
previous, started off together, as the drivers threw in the high speed
gears.

The race, which was truly a dangerous contest, was on, and, with eager
eyes the motor boys looked ahead on the course.

CHAPTER III

NEWS FROM THE WEST

THE track was a half-mile one, and, as the length of the race was five
miles it would be necessary to make ten laps or circuits. The course
was in the shape of an ellipse, with rather sharp turns at either end,
where the contestants, if they did not want a spill, or a bad skid,
must slacken their pace. It was on the two straight stretches that
speed could be made.

At the report of the pistol Noddy's car shot off as an arrow from a
bow, the explosions of the cylinders sounding like a small battery of