Part 19 (2/2)
”We don't have to swelter before the sun beats down upon us. It will be plenty of time to see what we have to do if we find it so warm on the road that we don't want to go on.”
Soon after breakfast the boys started on their homeward ride.
True to its promise the heat steadily increased and a glare that was exceedingly trying to the eyes beat down upon the roadway.
George increased the speed at which he was driving, but the air which fanned their faces was almost like that which comes from a heated oven.
Already the cattle in the nearby fields had sought the shade of the trees in the pastures. The hens in the farmyards also were lying in the shade, their wings partly extended as if they were trying to cool their heated bodies.
”Hens in hot weather,” said George, ”always make me think they are laughing at us.”
”What do you mean?” demanded John. ”Who ever heard a hen laugh.”
”I didn't say I had heard them laugh, but they have their mouths open.”
”Hens don't have mouths, my friend.”
”They don't?” demanded George. ”Then how do they eat?”
”They have throats and bills and beaks, but they don't have mouths.”
”What is a mouth anyway?” said George scornfully. ”Isn't it the opening in the head through which one takes food into his stomach?”
”I suppose it is.”
”Well, doesn't a hen swallow corn?”
”She does.”
”Then she has a mouth, hasn't she?”
”Wait a minute and I'll tell you. It's this way, you see-”
At that moment there was a loud report directly beneath the car which at that time was pa.s.sing under a stone bridge.
George instantly stopped the car, but another driver directly in front of him was so startled by the unexpected sound that he lost control of his automobile and swung into the ditch, nearly overturning his car as he did so. Instantly rising from his seat he turned and glared at the Go Ahead boys as if he was tempted to visit some merited punishment upon them.
The boys, however, were so busy with their own troubles that they ignored the anger of the driver before them. Instantly leaping from their seats they began their investigations.
Only a brief time, however, was required to disclose the cause of the trouble. ”A blowout,” said George disgustedly. ”It's torn that tube all into shreds.”
”You blew it up too tight,” suggested Grant.
”Thank you,” said George as he took off his coat, ”you're so well informed about these matters that I think I'll let you help me put a new tire on.”
CHAPTER XVI-ANOTHER LOSS
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