A Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313.

"A Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313" by Stanley R. Matthews is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book centers around a group of adventurous boys, particularly focusing on the character of Matt King and his friends as they encounter various challenges while navigating the world of automobiles, superstitions, and the unexpected events that accompany their journey. The narrative blends humor, friendship, and the thrill of adventure with elements of mystery and suspense. At the start of the story, Matt King and his companions, Joe McGlory and Billy Wells, are on an outing involving a troublesome car—dubbed the "hoodoo car" due to its erratic behavior and the ominous number it bears. The chaotic events unfold as they attempt to help a distressed driver and ultimately find themselves tangled in a subplot involving a deceitful mining scheme. The opening chapters set the stage for a series of dramatic twists, demonstrating Matt's determination to control the unpredictable runabout while hinting at deeper treacheries surrounding the characters, particularly involving a suspicious mining engineer and a cunning colonel. The excitement is heightened as the boys face both physical challenges and moral dilemmas, establishing a gripping context for the unfolding adventure. (This is an automatically generated summary.)