Part 22 (1/2)

”Oh, we must stop!” screamed Dora, a moment later. ”Look ahead!”

d.i.c.k did so, and his heart gave a leap of fear. Below them the stony road was narrow, and on one side was a rocky gully and on the other some thick bushes. In the roadway was a farmer with a large farm wagon filled with lime. Should they hit the turnout below somebody would surely be hurt and perhaps killed.

CHAPTER XIV

WHAT A ROMAN CANDLE DID

It was a time for quick action, and it was a lucky thing that d.i.c.k Rover had been in perilous positions before and knew enough not to lose his presence of mind. As the others in the automobile arose to leap out he called to them:

”Sit down! Don't jump! I'll look out for things!”

Then, even as he spoke, d.i.c.k turned the steering wheel and sent the big machine cras.h.i.+ng into the bushes to one side of the roadway. He chose a spot that was comparatively level, and in five seconds they came to a halt just in front of half a dozen trees.

”We must take care of Tom's machine!” cried Sam, and leaped over the back of the automobile. The machine had cut down the bushes, so the path was clear and he ran with might and main to the roadway. At the top of the hill was the second car, coming along at a good speed.

”Stop! stop!” he yelled, frantically, and waved his arms in the air.

Tom saw the movement and knew at once something was wrong. He threw off the power and applied the emergency brake and the automobile just pa.s.sed Sam and no more.

”What's the matter?” came from everyone in the second car.

”That's what's the matter,” answered Sam, pointing to the foot of the rocky hill. ”That wagon--Well, I declare!”

The youngest Rover stared and well he might, for the farmer's turnout with the load of lime had disappeared from view. The farmer had turned into a field at the bottom of the hill just as d.i.c.k turned his car into the bushes.

”I don't see anything,” said Nellie. And then Sam had to explain and point out the situation of the first car.

”I guess I can get down the hill well enough,” said Tom. ”But this appears to be a poor road. We ought to try to find something better.”

All those in the second car got out and walked to that which was stalled in the bushes. They found d.i.c.k and Fred walking around the machine trying to learn if any damage had been done.

”We might have kept right on,” said Sam, and explained why.

”Well, we are here, and now comes the problem of getting back on the road,” said the eldest Rover. ”I don't think I can back very well in here.”

”Better make a turn on the down grade,” suggested Sam. ”We can cut down some of the big bushes that are in the way, and fill up some of the holes with stones.”

It was decided to do this, and all of the boys took off their coats and went to work. Soon they had a fairly clear path, and after backing away a few feet from the trees, d.i.c.k turned downward in a semi-circle, and got out once more on the road. This time he was mindful to use the brake with care, and consequently he gained the bottom of the stony hill without further mishap, and the second machine came after him.

”There is that farmer,” said Songbird. ”Why not ask him about the roads?”

”I will,” said d.i.c.k, and stalked into the field.

”This ain't no good road to Philadelphia,” said the farmer, when questioned. ”Better go back up the hill and take the road on the right.”

”We can't get back very well.”

”Then you had better go along this road an' take the first turn to the left and after that the next turn to the right. You'll have about three miles o' poor roads, but then you'll be all right, but the distance to the city is six miles longer.”