“No; I’ve got a better scheme than that,” said Billy suddenly, and then broke out with a loud: “Look here, fellows!”
He pointed excitedly to the trunk of the tree where it had been severed from the roots.
The fresh marks of an axe were upon it.
“It’s Luther Barr and his crowd,” cried the boy. “They figured on blocking us, and they would have succeeded but for a scheme I’ve just thought of.”
“What’s that?” demanded Bart Witherbee.
“Why, let’s get the rope out of the tonneau and haul the tree out of the way with the auto.”
“Say, that’s a good plan,” assented Bart Witherbee, starting back for the auto once more. In a few minutes he had the rope and it was quickly looped round the tree and then tied to the rear axle of the auto, after the machine had been turned round.
Billy took his place at the wheel and started the car up. There was a great sound of cracking and straining, and for a second the auto’s wheels spun uselessly around. Then suddenly as the boy applied more power the great log started.
Amid a cheer from the boys it was pulled entirely away, and a few seconds later the road was clear.
“Well, what do you think of men who would descend to a mean trick like that,” demanded Bill angrily as the adventurers resumed the road.