ore half dead with hunger and thirst. You will recall
how the "Comet" once carried the Motor Maids safely over an old wagon
trail through a tropical forest in Florida, and perhaps also you have
not forgotten how Billie and Mary Price were lost in the sacred groves
of Nikko in Japan. Therefore, Billie was not in the least frightened
when Ben confided to her private ear that he had missed the trail.

"We can't be very much lost," she answered. "'Table Top' is only two
miles broad, and we'll have to reach one side or the other pretty soon."

"I hope so," said Ben, "but don't tell the others yet. If they lose
confidence in me, it will only make matters worse. I wasn't prepared for
this bog. I should think Mr. Lupo might have mentioned it."

"There couldn't be a trail through a bog anyhow, could there?"

"Sometimes there is. I've seen a swamp with just a narrow path running
through it. But a swamp path is the sneakiest kind of a trail. It hides
itself wherever it can under tall grasses and bushes. Of course, Mr.
Lupo didn't know we were going, or he would certainly have stopped us,
but do you suppose Mrs. Lupo understood we were taking this particular
trail?"

"She certainly did. I told her myself just before I drew the knife on
her."

Ben smiled at the mental picture of Billie brandishing a carving knife.

"Hey, Ben," called Percy. "Is this a trail? I think it's a channel. I'm
up to my knees."

Ben made no reply. He was deeply mortified, and hung his head with a
kind of animal-like humiliation.

"What's the matter, old man?" demanded Percy, putting his arm
affectionately on his friend's shoulder. "You look like my collie did
when I caught him sucking eggs."

"I've missed the trail," Ben burst out with a choke in his voice.

The others had gathered around now. Their shoes were wet, their
stockings torn with brambles, and their skirts splattered and stained
with grasses and the juices of wild berries. But they were a valiant
little company, even Mary Price, the weakest and frailest among them,
and the sight of Ben's unhappiness and remorse only added to their
courage.

"It's all right, Ben," said Elinor. "We'll find the trail again. We're
obliged to. There is the mountain right over there. Why not walk until
we get to it?"

"I'm afraid it looks nearer than it is," said Ben, "and besides, it's
not Sunrise Mountain. It's Indian Head. I thought some time ago we were
getting well away from it, but these infernal b