The Rover Boys in the Air Part 35

Several others had also seen the big enclosed touring car and all were sure it had taken to the old Snagtown road.

"Where does that road run to?" asked d.i.c.k.

"Goes over the hills to what used to be Snagtown," answered one of the men. "But there ain't no town now, since the mills closed down--only empty houses."

"Just the place they'd be likely to head for!" cried Tom, in a low voice to his brothers. "Come on, hurry up!"

Sam and d.i.c.k needed no urging, and having thanked the men for their information they started up the engine once more.

"How far is it to that deserted village?" called out Tom, as the _Dartaway_ was about to move off.

"Six miles!" shouted one of the crowd. "That is, by the road. The way you're going it ain't more'n four!" And this answer made the crowd laugh.

"Four miles," murmured d.i.c.k. "We ought to be able to head them off."

"I wish we were armed," came from Tom. "We may have some desperate characters to deal with."

"We might go back and get pistols," suggested Sam.

d.i.c.k thought for a moment. He knew well how desperate their enemies might become. He hated to lose the time but he realized it would be worse than useless to face a gang of four or more empty-handed. There was no telling what Sobber, Crabtree and the others might do if cornered.

"I guess we'd better go back and arm ourselves," he said. "It will create talk, but that can't be helped."

"It will create talk anyway, as soon as it is known that Dora and Nellie have been carried off," answered Tom.

"What do you care for the talk!" cried Sam. "What we want to do is to save the girls--and put those rascals where they belong, in jail!"

Then the biplane was turned back in a circle and soon the boys were back in Shepleytown, much to the astonishment of those who had but a few moments before seen them leave.

CHAPTER XXII

OVER THE BIG WOODS

"Is there a hardware store handy?" asked d.i.c.k, of the first man who came up. He had told his brothers to let him do the talking.

"Sure--Bill Simmons's place, just down the street," answered the man, pointing with his finger.

"Thank you. Tom, bring that five-gallon gasoline can with you. Sam, you mind the machine," went on d.i.c.k, loudly.

"All right," answered the brothers, and Tom got the can in question, and he and d.i.c.k started for the store.

"Humph! got to have gasoline to run 'em, eh?" said one of the men, to Sam.

"Yes, indeed," answered the youngest Rover.

"Well, Bill Simmons can give ye all ye want, pervidin' ye pay for it,"

chuckled the man. "He keeps gasoline fer auto fellers an' fer farmers as has gasoline engines."

d.i.c.k and Tom hurried to the hardware store and asked the proprietor about gasoline. While he was filling the can they looked at an a.s.sortment of pistols that were exhibited in a showcase.

"They look pretty good," said d.i.c.k, when the hardware man came towards them.

"Are good, too. Wouldn't you like to buy a good shooter?" he added, anxious to do business.

"Show me a really good five-shooter," said d.i.c.k, and several were quickly handed over. He selected one and Tom selected another.

"Have to get one for Sam, too," whispered Tom.

"Sure," replied his brother, and this was done, and they also purchased the necessary cartridges.

"Now you are well armed--if anybody tries to steal your airs.h.i.+p," said Bill Simmons.

"We don't want the machine stolen, or tampered with," answered d.i.c.k. "We can't afford to take chances. If a fellow tampered with our machine it might go wrong when it was in the air and we'd get our necks broken."

And then d.i.c.k and Tom hurried back to the _Dartaway_ carrying the can of gasoline between them. The can was fastened where it belonged,--for the regular tank had still plenty of gasoline in it,--and then the boys sailed away once more, over the winding road leading to Snagtown.

"That's a dandy revolver!" exclaimed Sam, on receiving one of the weapons, with some cartridges. "And loaded, too! Now I guess we are ready for those rascals!" he added, with satisfaction.

"Remember, we are not to use any firearms unless it becomes absolutely necessary," said d.i.c.k, firmly.

"Yes, but I am not going to give them a chance to down me and get away with Nellie!" cried Tom, stoutly.

"Oh, no, Tom! We'll not allow that!" returned his big brother, with equal firmness.

"It seems to be getting a bit cloudy," said Sam, a minute later. "Wonder if it will rain?"

"I don't think that is rain, Sam," answered d.i.c.k. "It's worse than that, for us."

"You mean wind?"

"Yes."

d.i.c.k was right, and presently the first puff of the coming breeze hit the _Dartaway_ and sent the aircraft up on a slant. d.i.c.k promptly moved the tips and one of the rudders, and the flying machine came along on a level. But from then on the oldest Rover boy had all he could do to keep to the course, for the breeze became stronger and stronger.

"It's too bad!" murmured Tom, as he clung to his seat. "Hang the luck!

Why couldn't that wind have kept off for an hour longer!"

"You fellows keep your eyes on the road!" sang out d.i.c.k. "I've got to give all my attention to the biplane!"

"All right," was the answer of the others.

After that but little was said, for d.i.c.k had to watch every movement of the _Dartaway_ with care, and his hands and feet were constantly on the alert, to make whatever s.h.i.+ft seemed necessary. Sam and Tom strained their eyes to catch sight of the enclosed touring car, which, they had learned, was painted a dark blue.

The wind kept growing stronger and stronger, coming in fitful gusts that were particularly bad for such a flying machine as the boys possessed.

Once came a gust that sent them spinning far out of their course.