Once more the automobile was filled. Mr. Martin started the motor and let in the clutch. But something was wrong. The car moved a little way and then came to a stop with a jerk. The engine stalled.
“What’s wrong?” asked Mrs. Martin.
“I don’t know,” her husband answered. “Maybe I didn’t give her enough gas.”
Once more he started off, but this time there was a sudden stop, followed by a crashing, splintering sound.
“Oh, we’re pulling a tree down behind us!” cried Janet. “Stop, Daddy!”
CHAPTER VI
THE HAY WAGON
Daddy Martin put on the brakes very quickly and pushed on the pedal that threw out the clutch. With a squeak of the brake bands the car came to a stop. The cracking, splintering sound stopped, and the father of the Curlytops quickly leaped from the automobile to look behind and see what the trouble was.
“What is it?” asked Mrs. Martin.
“Anything broken?” Ted wanted to know.
“We seem to have broken off a small tree,” replied Mr. Martin. “But the auto isn’t damaged. We are chained fast to a tree.”