a hill, and not far from the shore of
Long Lake, the engine "died."

"Whatever shall we do?" cried Helen.

"No use wrangling about it," said Ruth, with a laugh. "Will we have to
walk?"

"Walk! and carry the ropes and everything else of value?" demanded
Helen.

"We can't leave the machine unprotected," said Tom, seriously. "No
knowing what would happen to it. But it's not far to Severn Corners.
Only two miles, or so."

"Now, I tell you," said Ruth, briskly. "You walk on, Tom, and get help.
Bring back a team to drag the auto into town. Perhaps you'll find a farm
before you go far. We'll remain here till you come back."

"That's what you'll have to do, Tommy," agreed his sister, as the boy
hesitated. "Of course, I'm only fooling. I won't be afraid."

"I'll do my best, girls," Tom assured them. "I am sure you'll be
perfectly safe," and Master Tom started off along the road at a quick
trot.

CHAPTER IX

QUEEN ZELAYA

Ruth and her chum were both a little troubled by Tom Cameron's
departure, but even Helen had braced up and was determined not to show
her fear. The situation of the girls in the auto on this lonely road was
enough to trouble the mind of any person unfamiliar with the wilderness.

The shore of Long Lake (which they could see from their seats in the
car) was as wild as any stretch of country through which they had
traveled during the two days of the tour.

The stalled auto was on the main-traveled road, however, and there was a
chance of somebody coming along. Ruth and Helen hoped that if this
happened, it would be somebody who would remain with them until Tom's
return.

Both kept this wish a secret, for each tried to cheer the other.
Perhaps, had it not been for that adventure at the old house shortly
before, neither girl would have felt so nervous.

The outlook from the stalled auto was very attractive, if wild. They
could overlook a considerable part of Long Lake, a stretch of its
distant southern shore, and several islands.

The edge of the water was perhaps half a mile away, and the ground
sloped abruptly from this road toward the lake. Following the very edge
of the water was another road, but one which the girls knew nothing
about and could scarcely see from the auto.

It was merely a brown ribbon of cart-path through the second-growth
timber, and it wound along the hillside, sometimes approaching very
close to the main highway. Before the county had built the better road,
th