With a rush and a roar, the Dartaway sped down the highway and then arose in the air, and as it did this the men in the runabout gave a cheer and clapped their hands. Then the Rover boys continued their hunt.
They kept close to the main road and did not fly any higher than was necessary. Whenever they reached a side road Dick would make a circle, coming back to the highway and going forward. Thus they kept on until they came in sight of Plankville.
"Hark!" cried Sam, as a distant bell tolled out. "Ten o'clock!"
"Only ten o'clock!" murmured Tom. "It seems like a week since we left Brill!"
"And we haven't had supper yet," went on the youngest Rover.
"Who wants any supper?" came from Dick. "I'm sure I don't."
"Not a mouthful, until we rescue Dora and Nellie," answered Tom.
"I'd like a drink—I'm as dry as a herring," said Sam.
"We'll look for water when we go down again," answered Dick.
Presently they descended once more, and, as a brook was handy, each drank his fill. Then Dick turned back in the direction from which they had come.