After some difficulty in getting matches to burn in the wind and rain, the big search lights and the oil lanterns were lighted, and then, with four shafts of light cutting the misty darkness ahead of them the travelers proceeded.
The roads seemed to be getting worse, but there was nothing to do except to keep on. Every now and then the machine would lurch into some hollow with force enough to almost break the springs.
“Hello!” cried Jerry suddenly. “Here are two roads. Which shall we take?”
“The right seems to go a little more directly north,” said the professor, peering forward. “Suppose we take that?”
“Especially as it seems to be the better road,” added Jerry.
He turned the machine into it, and, to the surprise of all they felt the thoroughfare become hard and firm as the auto tires rolled over it. It was almost as smooth as asphalt, and the travelers were congratulating themselves on having made a wise choice.
All at once the rain, which had been coming down in torrents, seemed to let up.
“I believe it’s clearing up,” said Bob.
“No, it’s because we’ve run into a dense forest, and the trees above keep the rain off,” spoke the professor.