CHAPTER VI
AN UNLUCKY BLOWOUT
"Easy marks, that's what we are," commented Ned, as with his chums andProfessor Snodgrass, he sat down to dinner. "Very easy marks."
"It might have happened to anyone," declared Jerry. "But it sure doesmake me sore to think how he cheated us on that calf deal."
They were still talking of Mr. Sackett, and, as the account of thehappening became generally known in the hotel, many stories showing themeanness of the miserly farmer were told to our heroes. Mr. Sackett wascharacterized as a "skinflint" of the worst kind.
They started off again, soon after dinner, and made up for the timelost over the calf transaction by speeding up to the limit allowed bythe law, and, in places where there were particularly good roads, andwhere there were no houses, they even exceeded the limit slightly. Buttheir necessity justified it.
"Think we'll make Durham before dark, Jerry?" asked Bob, as he noticedthe sun beginning to sink low in the west. "How much farther is it?"
"The last sign-post said thirty miles," remarked Ned, "but if it'sanything like the usual post, that means it will be at least fortybefore we strike Durham."
"In that case we won't get in until after dark," was Jerry's opinion."But we have powerful gas lamps, and it won't matter much. Here, Ned,you take the wheel a bit, I'm tired."
The machine was stopped while the change was made, and they went onagain. Jerry cast several anxious glances at a bank of clouds gatheringin the west, and Bob, also noting them, remarked:
"I think we're in for a storm."
"Shouldn't wonder," agreed the tall lad. "Hit her up for all she'sworth, Ned. Take a few chances. I don't believe there'll be anyspeed-constables out now."
It soon became evident that they were not going to make Durham beforenightfall. In fact, after passing one post by which they were informedthat their destination was thirty miles farther on, the next one madeit thirty-two.
"Say, according to that we're going backward," commented Ned.
"Don't mind," advised Jerry. "Keep right on, and when we arrive we'llbe there."
"Wise man," asserted Bob with a laugh.
The threatened storm gathered more quickly as the afternoon waned,and they had not gone many more miles before the rumbling of thunderincreased, and the intermittent flashes of lightning became almostcontinuous.
"We're going to be in for it," warned Bob, as the first few splashes ofrain came.
"Yes, we'd better stop, put up the top, and the side curtains," advisedNed. "I want the wind shield up, too, for I don't like the rain in myface."
They were soon better prepared to stand the downpour which quicklycame, and with the heavy curtains and the top up, they were fairly snugand comfortable in the auto, as it chugged off through the darkness.
"Ugh!" suddenly grunted Ned, as he felt the wheels leave the hardmacadam road, and slip into the soft mud of a dirt highway. "Now we'rein for it."
The auto labored on, losing time as the rain turned the highway intoa veritable slough. The downpour got heavier, and a wind springingup, seemed to force the water through every crack and crevice of theprotecting curtains. The lightning, too, was incessant, and the thunderclaps came with startling rapidity.
"Beautiful! Beautiful!" grumbled Bob. "It'll soon be as black as tar,and we'll get stuck ten miles from nowhere."
"Oh, don't find fault," advised Jerry good-naturedly. "We may make ityet."
Ned peered anxiously ahead through the mist of rain, seeking to makeout the road, which was illuminated by the powerful gas lamps. Itwas risky driving, but there was no help for it, and he was not wellacquainted with the route.
"Can't you get a little more speed out of her?" asked Jerry, when therecame a lull in the storm.
"I'm afraid to risk it," replied the youthful steersman. "If wehappen to hit a big stone it will be all up with us. Wow! This isLonesomeville for fair!"
They were on a dark and deserted stretch of the road. There seemed tobe no houses within miles, and the storm was at its height.
Suddenly there was a sound like a gun shot. The motor boys started, butwell they knew what it was.
"A blowout!" groaned Bob.
"I should say it was," agreed Jerry grimly. "It couldn't have happenedat a worse time, either. Where in the world are we?"
He peered through a crack in the curtains, out on the dismalrain-soaked blackness, but could make out nothing.
"Well, there's no help for it. It's up to us to put a new shoe and tubeon," spoke Ned, who had quickly brought the car to a stop. Then thethree lads, having donned rubber coats, which fortunately they carriedwith them, got out of the car, and stood in the mud, with the rainpelting them, while they made ready to repair the damaged tire.