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.

"Let a few of us get some of those stout rails from that fence and shove
them under the back of the machine. The rest of the girls can tie a rope
to the front and pull. Then when we give a signal, Jim can push with his
machine, while Verny throws hers into high--something ought to happen
with all that!" suggested Julie.

Anything seemed better than sitting helplessly while seeing the water
slowly rising in the roadway. So the plan proposed by Julie was put into
operation. Two long rails were shoved, one under each side of the back
of the car, with two scouts ready to apply all their youthful muscle up
on each rail. Four scouts stood in front holding to a rope, ready to
pull. The Captain sat at the wheel ready to speed, and Jim waited in his
car behind, ready to drive on.

"Now, when I yell 'go,' every one strain your muscles fit to crack. It's
the only way we'll get out of this," ordered Julie.

"Tell us when you're going to say 'go'!" begged Ruth.

"I'll shout 'One, two, three--GO'--then _go_!"

Julie braced herself, took a deep breath, and cried, "All ready--one,
two, three--GO!"

Four in front pulled with might and main. Mrs. Vernon's engine chugged
ready to break. Jim almost pushed the radiator in, and the four scouts
pushing on the rails--well, "they were not."

Jim was heard roaring unrestrainedly, while four girls in front were
standing and staring as if at an apparition. All the time, the rain fell