After a stiff ascent, in which Tom had to drop back to second gear for one of the few times since the trip started, they came to a somewhat level stretch, as was evidenced by the easier pull on the motor. Ned, always enthusiastic, exclaimed:
"Hurray! We're up!"
"Not half!" exclaimed Tom. "Don't fool yourself."
"Oh, gee!" sighed Ned.
"But we may reach a place where it will be wise to stop for the rest of the night," went on Tom, trying in vain to pierce the dark forest ahead and on either side. "The road is wider here and we can pull off it with a chance for something else to pass."
"Nobody but us two are crazy enough to be out here on a night like this," commented the financial manager.
"Guess that's about right," assented Tom. "Still, it's best not to take any chances. I'll go along a bit farther and then we'll pull up and call it a day's work."
The going was better until there was a sudden lurch to one side.
"In a hole!" cried Tom, and he quickly went into second and then into first gear in an effort to pull out.
However, it was not to be. The House on Wheels slowly settled down and not all the power of the motor could stir it. Finally Tom realized that he was only sinking the rear wheels deeper into the mud by churning them around.