It's
an informal affair, only for fun. They won't race for money. Come on,
let's go in it."
Hearing this, Ned agreed, and the boys put their names down. As Noddy
had stipulated there must be four passengers in each car it would
necessitate the motor boys getting some one else to ride with them.
This the clerk agreed to arrange.
There were six entries in the race, which was to take place the next
day. Early in the morning, before breakfast, Ned, Jerry and Bob went
out in their car to try the course. When they were half way around it
they heard a car coming behind them. In a moment it had passed them,
and they recognized it as the same machine that had nearly collided
with them in Cresville.
"Look who's in it!" cried Bob.
"Who?" asked Ned.
"Noddy Nixon. If that's his car, we haven't any show."
"Humph! I'm afraid not," answered Jerry rather ruefully. "Still, I'm
not going to give up now. He's got a new car, but maybe we can beat
him. He's a poor driver."
Several other autos soon appeared on the track to have a "tryout,"
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.
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