Their pace therefore varied from a rapid walk to a run, according as
their "wind" and leg muscles supplied the needed endurance. Paul and
Jerry found it pretty hard to keep up with the other boys during the
last three-quarters of a mile, especially when they struck a poorly
broken snowdrift or a stretch of ground covered with rocks or rough
ice. They were quite elated, however, at their ability to keep their
feet in these rough places, after seeing two of the larger boys slip
and fall.

It was almost dark by the time they reached the vicinity of the "sand
stretch" referred to in the note found by "Johnny Two-Times." This
stretch was a sand bed of several acres in extent, between which and
High Peak was a large stone quarry. The road ran between the "sand
stretch," which, of course, was now frozen and covered with snow, and
the quarry. The approach to this was sheltered, fortunately for the
concealment of the boy rescuers, by a growth of timber extending down
the mountain slope to the road.

Ernie called a halt about two hundred yards from the point in the
road which appeared the most favorable place for an ambush.

"Let's leave the road and make our way through the trees," he
suggested.

"There comes the automobile!" exclaimed Paul, excitedly, pointing down
the highway to the southwest.

Yes, a machine was approaching, about two miles away. The long stream
of light from the electric lamps could be seen, almost hitting the
sky, as the auto began to climb a steep hill. Evidently it had just
turned into this highway from another thoroughfare leading direct from
the city.

"Come on! We must hurry," said Ernie, dashing into the timber. "Be
careful; don't fall or run any branches in your eyes."

They made fairly good progress, considering the difficulties before
them and the darkness in the woods. However, they kept close to the
edge, where the tree growth was not very heavy and where the snow
reflected sufficient light to guide their feet. Ernie ordered that
none of the flashlights be used, and perhaps it was fortunate for the
success of the expedition that this order was issued and obeyed.

The efforts of the boys were well timed. Everything went like
clockwork, or so it afterward seemed. Two shadowy forms were discerned
standing in the thicker darkness under the trees as the automobile
arrived near the Southern edge of the quarry. The boys were within
easy attacking distance from the place where the two men stoo