Part 18 (2/2)
”We'll want to have a chance to dry ourselves and get supper”
”Then you don't think we'll reach Carpen Falls to-night?” questioned Phil
”I don't knohat to think, Phil Perhaps weJust at that instant ca that nearly blinded the crash of thunder Then came another crash closer by, and an instant later Dave and his uncle saw a large tree fall directly toward the roadway in front of them!
CHAPTER XII
A STROKE OF LIGHTNING
”Look out!”
”We are going into that tree!”
”Jam on both brakes, Dave, just as hard as you can!” cried Dunston Porter
Even before his uncle had spoken Dave had pressed down both feet hard, thus putting on the foot-brake and releasing the gear-clutch Now his hand shot over to the eency brake, and this carade was doard, and the road slippery fro-car went on, sliding through the mud and over the rocks until it was practically on top of the tree Then ca-wheel saved Dave, but his uncle's elbow struck the windshi+eld, cracking it in several places
”Look, we've run into a tree!”
”Did the lightning hit the er, take yourself off my feet; will you?”
This last cry came from Phil, as huddled up in a corner of the tonneau
”It isn'tpartly over the front seat of the touring-car
”Anybody hurt?” questioned Dunston Porter quickly, as soon as the shock had coht, Uncle Dunston,” panted Laura ”But dearto fly right over Dave's head,” wailed Jessie, who had coreat thump ”Oh, Dave, did I hurt you?”
”Knocked a little of the wind out of me, Jessie; that's all,” he answered ”But I won't mind that if only you are not hurt”
”Say, that was soed to straighten up and look ahead ”Stuffed mackerel! what did we try to do, Dave--clio over it,” replied Roger, with a faint attempt at humor
”Sound the horn, Dave, as loudly as you can!” cried his uncle, quickly
”We er on the button of the electric horn and held it down for so backward, those in the Wadsworth car soon saw the Basswood ht and then slon The heavy clap of thunder was now followed by another fierce downfall of rain, while the sky grew blacker than ever In the -car came slowly forward