“I guess we can go ahead now,” said Jerry. “Who’ll crank up the car? Don’t all speak at once.”
“My arm is a bit sore,” spoke Ned, rubbing his elbow.
“Then you do it, Chunky,” asked the steersman.
“I think I have a stone in my foot,” said Bob, making a wry face.
“Ha! Ha!” laughed Jerry. “Why don’t you two own up and say you’re afraid there’s a stray rattler or two under the machine, and you think it may bite you?”
The two boys grinned sheepishly, and both made a motion to get out.
“Stay where you are,” called the professor preparing to leave from the side door of the tonneau. “I’m used to snakes. I don’t believe there are any left, but if there are I want them for specimens. I’ll crank the car.”
So he got out and peered anxiously under the body, while the boys waited in anxiety.
“No,” called the scientist, in discouraged tones, “there are none left.”