The boys ran for the water, which in default of other utensils they had to carry in their caps, and brought it to the leader of the party, who had thrown off his coat, rolled up his sleeves and was going over the wounds of his companions with the skill of a professional surgeon.
Luckily, the injuries, though painful, proved not to be serious. Most of them were due to the shock and the fall. There were no bones broken, though all had bruises and wounds on hands and faces, from which blood was trickling.
Again and again the boys brought water, and, in compliance with the directions given them, dashed it over the faces of those who had been partially stunned. The cold impact revived them, and soon, under the ministrations of the impromptu nurses, the men were in full possession of their senses.
Not till then did the leader rise to his feet, wash his face and hands, and resume his coat.
By this time the car was a roaring furnace. It was evident that it was doomed and that before long it would be only a tangled mass of metal. The faces of all were pale, as they watched what might so easily have been a funeral pyre.
They stood contemplating the terrifying spectacle for a minute or two, each one busy with his thoughts. Then the leader of the men turned to the Radio Boys.
“It’s only due to the mercy of heaven and the presence of mind of you boys that we’re alive at this moment,” he said gravely, “and I want to thank you with all my heart, both for myself and my friends, who are hardly in condition to speak, for what you have done for us. You’re fine specimens of American boys, and it’s a mighty lucky thing for us that you happened to be on hand.”
“We only did what any one else would have done under the circumstances,” disclaimed Bob modestly, and his companions nodded their assent.
“Permit me to doubt that,” said the stranger, with a smile. “There are plenty who would have done nothing except, perhaps, to run for help. That wouldn’t have done any good in this particular case, for we’d have been past rescue before assistance could have been brought to us. You helped us yourselves, and you did it with a quickness and a coolness that are beyond praise. But I see that you are as modest as you are brave, which makes me all the more glad to be indebted to you. But now tell me your names. I can assure you that I shall never forget them, and I know my friends won’t.”
As he was addressing himself especially to Bob, the latter gave his name, first having told those of his companions. In turn, the stranger introduced the boys to Mr. Hazlett, Mr. Bryan and Mr. Esterbrook, his fellow travelers in the ill-fated automobile.