“Now,” remarked the professor, when they had seen Kate started off on her journey, “I suppose it is time for us to move. So let’s get started toward our mine, for I’m sure Nestor must be quite anxious to see us.”
“Onward it is, then!” exclaimed Ned. “All aboard, and may we have a safe trip!”
With Ned at the steering wheel the auto was started off. The way was rather rougher than any they had yet traveled over, and for some distance the ascent was steep. But with a new set of batteries and spark plugs, and with everything on the car well adjusted, matters went along smoothly, though no very great speed could be attained.
Mile after mile was covered, the auto mounting higher and higher amid the mountains. There were no signs of human habitation, not even a deserted miner’s hut being passed the first two days of the trip.
Of course there was no shelter to be had, and nights were spent in the open. But as the weather was mild, and as it did not rain, this was considered more a pleasure than a hardship.
The third day they began to see signs that told them they were approaching a town. Now and then cabins and huts would be passed, mostly the lonely homes of solitary miners, who were prospecting for gold. Sometimes they would pass quite good sized camps, and about noon of the fourth day they were invited to come in and have a meal, which they were glad to do.
The miners told them the nearest town was Sleighton, seventy-five miles away, and that it was the centre of activity for a large area of country round about.
“And I wouldn’t advise you folks to speed that there machine of yours when you strike the village,” said one of the miners.
“Why not?” asked Jerry.
“Because the marshal is very strict, and he ain’t got no very great hankerin’ fer choo-choo wagons.”