boy," laughed Tom. "That was
nothing but a tire blowing out. If you got into the Navy, and
a fourteen-inch gun went off when you weren't expecting it, you'd
be half way to the planet Neptune before your comrades could call
you back."

"How easily we make light of other people's troubles," mused Prescott.

"What makes you say that?" asked Darrin.

"Why, for instance, that party down in the road has been stopped
by a blown-out tire. Probably they were in a hurry to get somewhere,
too. Now, they're delayed perhaps a half an hour, but it doesn't
give us a flicker of concern."

"It interests me, anyway," Reade announced, rising. "Anything
in the mechanical line does. It may even be that the man driving
that car doesn't know just how to put on a new tire. I'm going
to saunter down and see."

Five members of Dick & Co. didn't take the trouble even to glance
keenly at the halted car.

Tom took a dozen steps, then suddenly shouted back:

"Fellows, your indifference will vanish, now. Look who's here!"

CHAPTER XII

TROUBLE WITH THE RAH-RAH-RAHS

A broad-shouldered man, his back to Dick & Co., was assisting
a middle-aged woman to alight from the car.

As Tom's voice reached their ears five girls exclaimed in delight,
then began to wave their hands in most friendly fashion.

Dick & Co. were on the run by this time, for the broad-shouldered
man was Dr. Bentley, the woman Mrs. Bentley, and the five girls
Laura Bentley, Belle Meade, Susie Sharp, Clara Marshall and Anita
Murray.

"Hm! Young men, I'm beginning to feel annoyed," remarked Dr.
Bentley with pretended severity, though he shook hands pleasantly
enough with the boys. "Whenever Mrs. Bentley and I take some
of Laura's friends for a spin anywhere you appear to have our
route and you bob up on the map."

"Then we'll withdraw, sir, at once," Dick suggested.

"No, you won't," retorted the doctor. "Young Reade is engaged,
on the spot, to help me fit on a new tire. Perhaps Hazelton will
help. The rest of you may disappear, and take the ladies with
you, if you will. Yet, really, it looks as though you learn our
route and follow it."

"That isn't fair, doctor," Dave rejoined. "We're on foot, and
have been away from Gridley for something over a fortnight. It
is you who must have been following us, with that seven-passenger
automobile of yours. And may I remind you, sir, that you wouldn't
have bursted the tire if you hadn't been driving at s