Part 11 (1/2)

”We must hustle to make Uncle Ike's to-night, sure enough,” Tom said, as the car rolled out into the muddy highway.

”Is it very far yet?” asked Ruth.

”More than sixty miles, and a bad road, and it is now half-past five,”

replied the boy.

”Oh, my! I hope we'll not be delayed after dark,” said his sister.

”I never knew you to be such a 'fraid-cat before, Helen,” laughed Ruth.

”Everything's gone wrong to-day. And those awful men scared me. Let's stop at the hotel at Boise Landing, if it grows dark. Uncle Ike's is a long way beyond the town, Tom.”

”Sure--if you say so,” agreed her brother, cheerfully. ”I can send word up to the folks that we are all right. Of course, they will be expecting us this evening. I telegraphed them this morning that we were on the way.”

The car plowed on through the mud. These roads were in very bad shape, and even while it had been dry, the traveling was bad enough. Now the wheels skidded and slipped, and the engine panted as though it were tired.

It missed explosions frequently, too, and Tom sat under the wheel with a very serious face indeed. It was not far to a small settlement called, on the map, Severn Corners. Tom knew he could get gas there, if he needed it, but he was not sure that there was a repair shop at the place. If the old machine played a trick on them again----

And it did! Right at the foot of a hill, and not far from the sh.o.r.e of Long Lake, the engine ”died.”

”Whatever shall we do?” cried Helen.

”No use wrangling about it,” said Ruth, with a laugh. ”Will we have to walk?”

”Walk! and carry the ropes and everything else of value?” demanded Helen.

”We can't leave the machine unprotected,” said Tom, seriously. ”No knowing what would happen to it. But it's not far to Severn Corners.

Only two miles, or so.”

”Now, I tell you,” said Ruth, briskly. ”You walk on, Tom, and get help.

Bring back a team to drag the auto into town. Perhaps you'll find a farm before you go far. We'll remain here till you come back.”

”That's what you'll have to do, Tommy,” agreed his sister, as the boy hesitated. ”Of course, I'm only fooling. I won't be afraid.”

”I'll do my best, girls,” Tom a.s.sured them. ”I am sure you'll be perfectly safe,” and Master Tom started off along the road at a quick trot.

CHAPTER IX

QUEEN ZELAYA

Ruth and her chum were both a little troubled by Tom Cameron's departure, but even Helen had braced up and was determined not to show her fear. The situation of the girls in the auto on this lonely road was enough to trouble the mind of any person unfamiliar with the wilderness.

The sh.o.r.e of Long Lake (which they could see from their seats in the car) was as wild as any stretch of country through which they had traveled during the two days of the tour.

The stalled auto was on the main-traveled road, however, and there was a chance of somebody coming along. Ruth and Helen hoped that if this happened, it would be somebody who would remain with them until Tom's return.

Both kept this wish a secret, for each tried to cheer the other.