LAST OF PEDESTRIANS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 186, 4 May 1929, Page 8

LAST OF PEDESTRIANS

HIS HORRIBLE END A DIP INTO THE FUTURE (By R.G.W.) Honk! Honk! Ilonk! Automohulist 1190-771 stepped liurd down on his accelerator as the sudden warning reached his ears. Far over the fields he saw a melee of curs, their tractor bands throwing up the soil in all directions us they roared after two Hying figures, which hopped this way and that in their frenzied efforts to avoid destruction. No. 1190-771 smiled grimly ami looked down at the nicks scored deeply into his instrument panel. Ninety-nine of them there were all told, and each represented a pedestrian wiped out by the intrepid youngster during the Big Drive started in the year 3095. Over the last six "years, however, the species had become increasingly rare —had, in fact, recently been pronounced extinct. Then like a bolt from the blue came the astounding news that two of the pernicious breed, a man and a woman, had been seen skulking amid the cpstus hushes on the fringe of Eurania, a deserted tract of country, very difficult of access. But: the possibilities of some exciting sport had roused the young blood of ajl nations, and the papers for days had been full of nothing else but the superhuman efforts being made to import automobiles into the locality. And here they were at last, In full cry! From the lips of No. 1190-771 there dropped a muttered imprecation as he i w one of the wavering objects take a prodigious jump of twenty-five yards or so and land right ahead of an onrushing machine. Well he knew that the woman would not be able to bring those huge over-developed lag biceps into play_ intime for another effort. In a second it was all over, and the youngster groaned inwardly as he saw that the driver who had brought her down was none other than the famous “Sparfc-I’lug" Harns, whose record had previously been but one

short of his own. This success would now bring him into line —and that rapidly diminishing speck" on the horizon was the last of his kind upon Earth! “Carburettor" Jackson snorted and his jaw set as he swung his vehicle into the van of the pursuit. Glancing to the right he saw that the other also had his head we’» down over the wheel of his speedy hunting machine. Gradually they gained, but only foot by foot, for the pedestrian was fighting hard for his miserable life, hopping along with Stoat quickness and agility after the curious fashion of his kind. Suddenly his intention became plain. Ahead lay the shining waters of a broad river," and his illiterate mind with a certain low cunning had seized upon the idea that if he could clear the obstruction in one mighty bound there would be safety on the farther bank. They watched |iim gather himself for the leap, saw the dun cjoiul of dust rise as he launched himself into the air. An inch less and he would have missed, but he did it 1 Dragging one foot from the water, he turned and executed a wild dance of joy as the two loaders came to a hglt amid the boulders, But he had not reckoned with the latest development in motor manufacture. One or two trifling adjustments and “Carburettor” was steering his ear motor-boat'fashion across the gurgling current at a steady thirty knots. Case-hardened as he was, the young ace experienced a feeling akin to pity at the look of absolute stark horror ami despair which overcame his victim’s face. For a moment the pedestrian stood paralysed. Then he turned and was off like a shot. But this time there was no river to bar the onslaught as the motorist crouched low behind his windscreen and tore after.. Inch by inch the distance narrowed. Once the wretch turned a white panicstricken face. “Carburettor” felt another momentary pang of pity ere lie recollected that great revolt when the fellows of this man "had risen in a mighty endeavour to wipe out the Automobilists. The menace must be exterminated. And that last notch must give him his eentury I "Spark-Plug” had had trouble with his engine and was miles in the rear, he noted gleefully. Now all that remained was one dexi game to an end. But for a moment he refrained, tasting to the full the ecstasy of the huntsman who knows that his I prey is within his grasp.

“Now —” he growled to himself, voice hoarse with excitement. Every muscle was tensed, every nerve on the alert when Crash — I —! —! —! A terrifice reverberation followed an explosion which tore a mighty gaping hole in the prairie ahead. Swervipg in the nick of time, “Carburettor” pulled up and circled slowly back round the spot where a fast flying mail ’plane had tumbled from the blue heavens. In a short space of time there were only a few charred and smoking remnants of the fuselage and wings visible. Of the Last Pedestrian there was no trace whatsoever.