Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/257

 vehicle and balance his round form on the back of the seat!

"‘Help us, child!' he groaned. 'They are sure cure for the auto mania. They're Huancas!'

"You could have balanced an unabridged dictionary on the tips of my upstanding hair, sir, as I heard those fearful words. And I never saw a person so thoroughly emulate the snail as did Tib when he descended and slowly adjusted a pair of blinders.

"‘Don't bother to do that,' I stuttered, as he stepped in front and began cranking.

"My remonstrance was followed by a shout from behind, and I knew the children of ill-nature had spotted us; and as they shouted they halted and leaned negligently on what I took to be spears.

"‘They've probably been following the gasolene smell and are surprised to find such queer game at the end of the run,' gasped Tib, dropping again to crawl under the wagon.

"‘She won't go?' I asked.

"‘I'm not doing this because of a love for mechanics,' his voice murmured. 'Sound the honker if they start for us.'

"He had hardly spoken before the statuettes awoke to manly vigor and began to trot slowly forward. I turned on a few hoarse bleats and was overjoyed to see them turn to stone again.

"‘Guess they're afraid,' I said, hopefully.