“An’ Gabe can’t read over’n above well,” the man added.
There was hardly room for the boys to sleep in the small cabin, and so, after a generous supper, they were given blankets, and made their beds out of doors. The night was a fine one, and they slept well. Jerry’s generous payment for the accommodation brought a storm of protest from the man and his wife the next morning. But the tall lad said:
“Oh, that’s not too much, but if you think it is——”
“Have ’em put us up a lunch,” suggested Bob in a hoarse whisper.
“Chunky suggests a lunch,” finished the tall lad with a smile, and the woman hastened to fill the basket.
For the rest of that day the motor boys circled about, or advanced swiftly in straight lines, ever seeking the Comet. But she was not in sight.
At noon they descended to renew their supply of gasolene, and the night was spent in a country village, where they created considerable excitement and interest.
It was about ten o’clock the next morning when Bob hastily caught up the binoculars, and directed them at a speck in the sky off to the left.
“See anything?” asked Jerry quickly.
“I’m not sure,” replied the fat lad, after an observation, “it’s either a big bird or——”