“That’s just where we’re headed for,” exclaimed Bob. “We’ll take you there all right.”
Jerry leaned forward to throw in the higher speed gear when there was a sudden ripping, breaking sound, and the auto began to slow up.
“What’s the matter?” asked Ned.
“Stripped the gear, I’m afraid,” replied the steersman. “This is a nice pickle to be in.”
“Won’t it run on the low or intermediate gear?” asked Bob.
Jerry tried them, and found they were all right.
“I guess we’d better stop here for the night,” he said. “We may need the high gear any minute, and perhaps I can fix it in the morning. I have a spare wheel.”
“Then let’s camp and have supper,” said Bob eagerly. “I haven’t eaten in a week by the way I feel.”
“Same here! I agree with you for once, Chunky,” spoke Jerry. “It has been a long time since dinner, but with the excitement of the storm, the bear, and rescuing Tommy I didn’t notice it before.”
In a little while the camping outfit was taken from the automobile, and a fire started in the sheet-iron stove, with the charcoal that was carried to be used in emergencies, such as being unable to find dry wood after a rain.