Part 35 (1/2)

Several others had also seen the big enclosed touring car and all were sure it had taken to the old Snagtown road.

”Where does that road run to?” asked d.i.c.k.

”Goes over the hills to what used to be Snagtown,” answered one of the men. ”But there ain't no town now, since the mills closed down--only empty houses.”

”Just the place they'd be likely to head for!” cried Tom, in a low voice to his brothers. ”Come on, hurry up!”

Sam and d.i.c.k needed no urging, and having thanked the men for their information they started up the engine once more.

”How far is it to that deserted village?” called out Tom, as the _Dartaway_ was about to move off.

”Six miles!” shouted one of the crowd. ”That is, by the road. The way you're going it ain't more'n four!” And this answer made the crowd laugh.

”Four miles,” murmured d.i.c.k. ”We ought to be able to head them off.”

”I wish we were armed,” came from Tom. ”We may have some desperate characters to deal with.”

”We might go back and get pistols,” suggested Sam.

d.i.c.k thought for a moment. He knew well how desperate their enemies might become. He hated to lose the time but he realized it would be worse than useless to face a gang of four or more empty-handed. There was no telling what Sobber, Crabtree and the others might do if cornered.

”I guess we'd better go back and arm ourselves,” he said. ”It will create talk, but that can't be helped.”

”It will create talk anyway, as soon as it is known that Dora and Nellie have been carried off,” answered Tom.

”What do you care for the talk!” cried Sam. ”What we want to do is to save the girls--and put those rascals where they belong, in jail!”

Then the biplane was turned back in a circle and soon the boys were back in Shepleytown, much to the astonishment of those who had but a few moments before seen them leave.

CHAPTER XXII

OVER THE BIG WOODS

”Is there a hardware store handy?” asked d.i.c.k, of the first man who came up. He had told his brothers to let him do the talking.

”Sure--Bill Simmons's place, just down the street,” answered the man, pointing with his finger.

”Thank you. Tom, bring that five-gallon gasoline can with you. Sam, you mind the machine,” went on d.i.c.k, loudly.

”All right,” answered the brothers, and Tom got the can in question, and he and d.i.c.k started for the store.

”Humph! got to have gasoline to run 'em, eh?” said one of the men, to Sam.

”Yes, indeed,” answered the youngest Rover.

”Well, Bill Simmons can give ye all ye want, pervidin' ye pay for it,”

chuckled the man. ”He keeps gasoline fer auto fellers an' fer farmers as has gasoline engines.”

d.i.c.k and Tom hurried to the hardware store and asked the proprietor about gasoline. While he was filling the can they looked at an a.s.sortment of pistols that were exhibited in a showcase.