engine
slow down too much. Once Dave was afraid that he was going to be stuck,
but in a few seconds the danger was past, and in two minutes more they
were out on the solid roadway once more.

"We are coming to some sort of a settlement!" cried Mr. Porter, after
several miles more had been covered. "See, there it is--right down at
the foot of this hill!"

"It must be Carpen Falls," announced Dave. "See, there are the Falls off
to the right!" and he pointed to where a fair-sized stream of water came
down between the trees and fell over the rocks. The Falls were fifteen
to twenty feet high, and made a beautiful sight.

Carpen Falls was a settlement of some importance, for the campers on the
lakes for miles around came there to do their trading. There were two
general stores, one containing the post-office, and also a blacksmith's
shop, livery stable and garage combined, and a small summer hotel.

"Oh, look! My father and mother!" cried Jessie, as the two machines
rolled up to the hotel.

To the surprise of all, Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth stood on the piazza
watching their approach.

"Oh, we thought you would never get here!" cried Mrs. Wadsworth, in
relief. "We thought sure you had had some sort of accident on the road."

"And how is it you are here?" asked Dave, quickly.

"We came in this morning to do some trading at the store," answered Mr.
Wadsworth. "We were going back, when it began to storm so hard that we
decided to stay here until the rain let up, and until you arrived. It
certainly was a hard downpour!"

"We came pretty near having several accidents," answered Ben. And then
after the party had alighted, they told of the various happenings on the
journey.

"We can remain here all night if you want to," announced the jewelry
manufacturer. "But if you would rather go on to the bungalows I think we
can make it. There are two old stages here, and the drivers are
perfectly willing to make the trip."

"Now we have gotten so far, let us finish the trip," urged Laura. "I
think I would rather be at the bungalows than at this hotel," she added,
with a look around that hostelry--a place that was not particularly
inviting.

"But you'll want supper first; won't you?" questioned Mrs. Wadsworth.

"We had something to eat at Simpson's Corners," answered her daughter.

The stages that Mr. Wadsworth had mentioned were certainly old-fashioned
and dilapidated, but each was drawn by a pair of sturdy horses, and the
driv