In spite of poking fun at the stout youth, every one felt the need of food. So a stop was made, a fire built, and soon coffee was boiling. Broswick went off in the woods with his rifle and came back with a brace of birds and a jack rabbit. What the boys voted was the finest meal they ever ate was quickly prepared.
“We must be careful not to lose the auto again,” said Jerry. “We have had trouble enough with Noddy. The next time he may beat us altogether.”
When camp was made that night a system of watches was arranged so that some one would be on guard all through the dark hours.
Nothing disturbed the adventurers, however, and in the morning they started again on their trip across the mountains, which, it seemed, would never come to an end.
Several days, including Sunday, passed without incident. No very fast time was made, and the machine had to be sent along carefully, as the roads were bad and the trail was uncertain to them. One morning Broswick announced that he was going off on a hunt. Nestor and Professor Snodgrass said they would go with him. Accordingly, the hunter’s horse was tied near the auto and the three men set off, while the three boys remained behind to make some repairs to the machine and do a little necessary overhauling.
“We’ll be back by dinner-time,” announced Broswick; “that is, if something doesn’t happen to us.”
The boys were so busy that they scarcely noted the passage of time. It was not until Jerry looked at his watch and announced that it was two o’clock that the lads wondered what had happened to their friends.
“It’s long past meal time,” said Ned.
“Maybe they’re not hungry,” suggested Bob.