"You gals just sit still, will you?" growled Jim impatiently, as he jumped out into the muddy road.
The wind came tearing down the valley that lay between the mountains, driving shreds of storm-clouds before it. Gusts of rain dashed against Jim's face as he peered and poked about the stubborn engine, but still the obstinate machine refused to budge.
"I can't see a durn thing that's the matter with it!" shouted he, trying to make himself heard above the whistling of the wind.
"Better get back in your car until the worst is over," called back Mrs. Vernon.
So they all waited patiently for the rain to cease, but the storm grew worse, while the clouds seemed to fairly empty themselves right over the stalled cars. Suddenly Jim gave a frightened cry:
"Great Scott, Captain! The river's overflowin' her banks, and this road's gettin' under water!"
"Then we've just got to get out of this fix somehow!" wailed Mrs. Vernon, gazing helplessly around for aid.
"I'll try to work my car close up to the other and see if I can't push you ahead," suggested Jim, starting his engine as he spoke. But this idea failed to render the assistance they looked for.
"I think you need a good hard impact to send you out of that mud. The wheels are stuck," called Julie, who had been considering the plight.
"But how can we get an impact? Jim can't crush in the radiator on his car, you know! And the fender won't do it," said Ruth.