le we want to make Rayville to-day," announced Mr. Basswood,
when the two cars had come to a standstill at a crossroads. "I've got
some friends living there, and I want to make a call on them. Besides,
there's a good hotel there, where we can stop for the night," for they
had made no arrangements beyond Albany.

There had been a signboard at the crossroads, but this had fallen down,
so the tourists did not know which of the forks of the road to take.
Finally a man, coming along in a runabout, told them to take the highway
on the left.

"That other road is the regular one," he explained, "but it is pretty
well torn up, and you'll make time by taking this one. But be careful of
the hill, it's just a little bit dangerous."

"We'll be careful," answered Dave, who was now running the car once
more.

"Want me to take the wheel?" questioned his uncle.

"Oh, no, I guess I can get along all right."

The Basswood car, with Ben in charge, had already taken to the highway
on the left, and the other turnout followed it at a distance of several
hundred feet. Ben had put on considerable speed, and Dave had to watch
closely to keep the other car in sight.

"Take it easy, Davy," said his Uncle Dunston. "We don't want any
accidents away out here from any garage."

"I want to keep Ben in sight. He's going it pretty lively," answered
Dave.

"Yes, it's a wonder his father doesn't hold him back a little. But Mr.
Basswood said he was anxious to reach Rayville, and that's at least
twenty miles farther."

Ahead were several turns in the road, and at these Dave lost sight of
the car ahead. Being cloudy, it was quite dark on the roadway,
especially where the trees lined the highway, and soon Dave found it
necessary to turn on the headlights. Then he sounded his horn,
expecting to get a reply from Ben, but to his surprise none came.

"Do you know what I think he's trying to do?" said our hero, hastily. "I
believe he's trying to run away from us."

"It's a foolish thing to attempt, Dave, on a strange road like this,"
answered Dunston Porter, gravely. "I should think Mr. Basswood would
stop it."

Presently they were climbing a long hill. The road wound in and out
among the trees, and at one place the grade was so steep that Dave had
to throw the clutch into low gear. He and his uncle listened intently,
and from a distance heard the chug-chug of the other car a long way
ahead.

"Say, this is some climb, believe me!" cried Roger, as