ouble was. Leaving out the scare and the hat part,
the boys soon told of their difficulty and the young ladies' plight,
whereat an old gentleman, the only occupant of the car, insisted that
the young ladies get in with him, and that his man, Benson, be allowed
to tow the stalled car out of the hills. They decided to do this,
agreeing that they had had enough of "camping out."

"What name? What name did you say, sir?" he asked Jack, at the same
time kicking his many robes up into a corner to make all possible room
ill his magnificent car.

"Kimball," replied Jack, "of Chelton, and the other names are----"

"That's enough, plenty," the gentleman declared heartily. "I knew
Joseph Kimball, of Chelton, and I guess he was your father."

"Yes," replied Jack, astonished at thus meeting a family friend.

"Well, when he went to Chelton I located in New Hampshire; that's where
I belong."

"Do you? That's where we are going--to the White Mountains, after a
little stay in the Berkshires," finished Jack, as he handed Cora into
the handsome car, and then likewise assisted Hazel and Belle.

"Well, I guess we can fix you up then," said the old gentleman, in that
hearty manner that can never be mistaken for mere politeness. "I have
a girl of my own. We are in the Berkshires now."

"I will be delighted to know----" then Cora stopped. She had not yet
heard the gentleman's name.

"Betty Rand--that's my girl. She's Elizabeth, of course, but Betty's
good enough for me. Get right in here, girlie," to Belle. "Got room
enough?"

"Oh, yes, plenty, thank you," and Belle slipped down into the cushions
with an audible sigh.

"Well, you can depend upon Benson. See that! He's got the car hitched
already! Never saw a fellow like Benson," and Mr. Rand spread the robe
over the knees of Belle and Cora, with whom he sat, while Hazel had
taken the small chair. "Keep warm," he told her. "Night air out here
is trickish. I always take plenty of robes along."

Hazel assured him that she had every comfort, and then they heard Ed
toot the horn of the _Flyaway_, as he and Bess started off in the lead.
Walter was in his _Comet_, and when Jack was sure that everything was
in readiness for the _Whirlwind_ to be towed after the big six-cylinder
machine, he jumped into his _Get-There_, and presently the whole party
was off again, going toward Lenox.

It was a wonderful relief--every one felt it--to be moving away from
dread and darkness