, and smiled invitingly.

"Do you sell gasoline?" asked Mrs. Vernon, politely.

"I guess I kin oblige you," replied the lady, going indoors.

Jim jumped out and began to unscrew the plug on the tank.

"Now who'd a thought we could get gas in this little shop?" declared
Ruth, surprised.

"You never can tell! I s'pose she wants to make all she can in every
way," added Hester.

Meantime the lady returned to the door and called out, "Won't you please
step this way?"

Jim thought she had to fill a measure from some barrel in the back, so
he went in. But the lady was searching diligently along a shelf of
bottles until she saw the one she wanted.

"Here they be--I knew I had 'em somewhere. One's ten cents, and the
other's a twenty-five cent bottle. But you have to take keer of fire,
you know."

Jim scratched his head, as he said, "I'll take a five-gallon can,
please, ma'am."

For a second, the old lady was amazed, but she rose to the occasion and
showed herself a true business woman, "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just out of
that size to-day, but can't you come back to-morrow--I'll have it
then?"

Jim laughed. "I need it for the tank. The car won't go on nor come back,
unless I get some gas for it."

"Oh! I thought you wanted some to clean gloves, or shoes. That's the
only kind I keep on hand."

"Maybe you can tell us where we can get a gallon or so," said Jim,
trying hard to keep a straight face.

"If you kin wait until Jed gits back I kin send him to Prospeck Junction
for a gallin. He can't carry five gallins, I fear."

Jim started out and the shopkeeper followed as she spoke. So Mrs. Vernon
asked, "Where is Prospect Junction?"

"Jus' over yander, a bit of ways. It's quite a gay resort, I've hear'd
Jed say, where they sells gas to riders what come through. But I hain't
never gone there, 'cause I don't mingle with society. I am a church
member and 'tends to my business." The lady tossed her head with a
self-righteous air as she said the last words.

Jim said: "I'm sorry that four-ounce bottle wouldn't do, Missus." And
the scouts bowed as they left her standing on the "stoop."

CHAPTER THREE

IN THE MOUNTAINS AT LAST

The scouts finally reached Old Forge, where they had been due a full day
sooner. Mr. Gilroy was worried at their non-appearance and had
telephoned to their homes to learn that they had left on time. Then he
followed them along their route and at some places he heard they had
stopped and