While the car was being manipulated to the proper position, Will tied some knots in the rope.
"Fasten this end to the middle of the whiffle-tree," he called to Jimmie, tossing the loop to him. "In that way you won't have to unhitch the horse, nor get out in the mud yourself."
"Oh, I won't mind that—if I can get out of this hole."
"Might as well take it as easy as you can," went on Will. "That's the ticket. Be sure your knots are firm."
"Yes, don't tie granny ones the way I did the night the Gem got adrift," murmured Grace.
The rope was soon fast to the wagon and backed-up auto.
"Go ahead slowly," cautioned Will. "We don't know what will give way first, the horse or the wagon. Take it easy, Mollie."
Slowly the auto started. There came a strain on the rope. There was a creaking to the old vehicle, and then it slowly began to emerge from the mud. The old horse, who had almost gone to sleep, roused up at this strange activity, and was literally forced to stir out of his tracks. In a few seconds the wagon was on the firm road, the auto having pulled it in a diagonal direction from the mud-hole.
"Thanks, ever so much!" exclaimed Jimmie. "I'm sure I can't thank you enough. If ever you get stuck——"
"You'll pull us out!" finished Mollie.