Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/254

 "And as it resulted, he came near to being a prophet; for during several hours in the immediate future I was destined to abandon the anchor of hope and anticipate only a nameless grave. But his hearty assurance stilled my throbbing temples and I went with him to inspect the machine.

"The Englishman had sent it up by train, intending to astonish the natives with a few hill-side stunts. But after soberly scanning the repulsive foreheads of several adjacent mountains he changed his mind, discarded the gingerbread top and two of the three seats, and contented himself with rushing his dismantled car over a few fast miles in a little less than nothing on the decent five-mile stretch of highway that subsequently leads to Tarma.

"‘I'll fetch it back in a few days,' said Tib, as we jumped into the remaining seat and the descendant of an Incan emperor meekly lashed my shot-gun and the lunch-hampers on behind.

"‘Keep away from the east,' warned Breusy, as Tib gracefully gave her the slow speed. 'We hear the Huancas have been seen near Pasco.'

"‘Tut, tut,' smiled Tib, gliding into the middle speed and worrying the wheel.

"‘Toot, toot,' said the announcer, and amid a friendly salvo of wine-incited cheers we were off for a sixty-six-mile spin over the remains of an ancient road-bed thrown together probably by the Incas.