ter with which to cool it.

In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no
stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one
further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles
behind.

"It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of
cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner
we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."

"But what can we do?" asked Ralph, feeling thoroughly discouraged at
this accident, which, however quickly it might be repaired, would give
the thieves a chance of making good their escape. "Even if we had a
whole ocean of water, you haven't got any oil after the axle is cool,
nor even a wrench with which to take the wheel off."

"One of us must walk on ahead until he comes to some house, where oil
and a wrench can be borrowed. Bob must drive his horses on at a walk,
and halt at the first water he sees. It's an unlucky accident for us,
and it seems strange that it should have happened just when it did."

"It isn't so very strange," said Bob, as he started his team along at a
walk, "and, as usual, it's all my fault. When we moved the other day, we
left our oil behind in the stable, and I knew the wagon needed oiling
when I got down to Kenniston's. I was just going to do it when you drove
up, and then, like an idiot, I forgot it."

It would do no good to discuss the causes of the accident after it had
occurred. The only question was as to how the damage could be repaired,
and, after that was decided, to set about doing it at once.

"I will go on ahead for the oil," said Ralph, starting out at a run as
he spoke, and in few moments he was lost to view, as he disappeared
behind the trees, where the road made a decided curve.

Bob and George walked, while the horses dragged the carriage with its
one useless wheel, and in this fashion the boys, who a few moments
before had believed that in two hours they would have overtaken the
thieves and recovered the property, continued on their journey, as sad
and dispirited as before they had been happy and confident.

"If this hadn't happened," said Bob, bitterly, "we should have caught
the men before noon; but now it is an open question as to whether they
won't get away."

"It will be strange if they don't escape," and George's voice sounded no
more cheerful than did Bob's; "for even if they were not sure who their
neighbors were last night, the