But the automobile continued to go more and more slowly, and once, on a hill, it almost stopped.
“If we can get over the top we can coast down and soon be in Cedar Camp,” said Mr. Bobbsey, in answer to an anxious look from his wife.
The car did manage to climb the hill, and then it was easy to go down the other side. But there was still a farther distance to go than Mr. Bobbsey had thought. The night settled down, it became dark, and then, suddenly, when the car was on a rough road in a sort of lane cut through the evergreen trees, the engine, with a sort of cough and chug, stopped altogether.
“Oh, dear!” exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. “We’re stalled!”
“Looks like it,” said Mr. Bobbsey, preparing to get out and see what the trouble was.
“Where are we?” asked Bert, getting ready to follow his father and help if he could.
“We’re in the North Woods,” answered Mr. Bobbsey. “Several miles from Cedar Camp, I’m afraid.”
“It—it’s awful dark!” whispered Flossie. “Aren’t they going to turn on the lights?”
“There aren’t ever any lights in the woods ’ceptin’ fireflies, are there, Daddy?” asked Freddie.
“Only our auto lights,” answered his father. “Well, we may be able to travel soon.”