The Motor Boys Overland | Page 5

conference was going on.
"You mean the trip they think they are going to take," corrected Mr. Slade, with a laugh. "I suppose Jerry told you it was all settled."
"To be honest, he wanted me to come over and settle it for him and his chums," replied the instructor. "He said there was some doubt about the feasibility of making the trip."
Mr. Baker explained how matters stood. He and the other parents were willing the boys should have a good time, he said, but did not want them to run into danger.
"Do you think they could make a trip away out west in their car?" asked Mr. Slade.
"From what I know of the boys, and from the build of their car, I have no doubt it could be done with perfect safety, as far as ordinary conditions are concerned," said Mr. Wakefield. "Of course, there will be some few troubles, but none that cannot be overcome with a little work. I think the trip is perfectly possible. In fact, you know, autos have gone clear across the continent."
"Then you think we ought to let the boys go?" asked Mr. Slade.
"I -- think -- you -- ought to," replied the instructor, with purposed deliberateness, smiling at the anxious lads.
"Hurrah!" yelled Bob, forgetting that he was in the house.
"Lucky I thought to go and get him," spoke Jerry to Ned.
"I might add," went on Mr. Wakefield, "that I am going to make a trip as far as Chicago. If you decide to let the boys go, they could accompany me that far, at least. It would be a good experience for them."
"Oh, dad! Please let us go!" pleaded Bob.
"Yes, yes!" chimed in Jerry and Ned.
There was a moment of silence, while the parents were gravely considering the matter. During it the boys could almost hear the beating of their own hearts.
"Well," began Mr. Baker, "I'm willing, if the rest of you are."
"I suppose I may as well say yes," spoke Mr. Slade.
"Then the only thing left for me to do is to agree with the majority," said Mrs. Hopkins, with a laugh.
"Westward ho!" fairly shouted Bob, and he began to do an impromptu jig until his father stopped him.
"We'll take Andy Rush along," said Ned, "and we'll start the first of the week!"
"Hark! What was that?" asked Mr. Baker, suddenly.
Out on the night air sounded an alarm.
"Fire! Fire! Fire!"

CHAPTER III.
THE OLD MILL ON FIRE.
They all rushed to windows and looked out into the night. Off to the north a dull red glare lighted the sky.
"What is it?" asked Mr. Baker.
"I can't see from here," replied Jerry.
"Come on, fellows! Let's go!" exclaimed Ned. He started for the door.
"Take the auto," suggested Bob. "No telling how far off it is."
The next instant the three boys were in the automobile shed, getting the machine ready for a start. The red glow in the sky increased. People began running past on their way to the fire.
There was a clatter and bang, a ringing of bells, and the one engine the town possessed, in all the glory of its brass and nickel plate, rushed past, as fast as the horses could drag it. The hose-cart followed.
"Hurry up or we'll miss the fun!" cried Ned to Bob, who was cranking the auto. Somehow, Chunky could not get the engine started. At last he succeeded and the boys climbed to their seats.
"It's my turn to steer!" cried Jerry, and no one disputed him. He ran the car out of the side path, past the Baker home. On the stoop stood Mr. Slade, Mrs. Hopkins and Mr. Baker, watching the fire.
"Want to come along?" asked Ned.
"Let's go," exclaimed Mr. Slade, and he and Mr. Baker got their hats and were soon in the rear seat with Ned. Mrs. Hopkins, with a laugh, declined the trip. Jerry speeded the car ahead and soon was chugging on toward the fire, which was some distance outside of town.
On the road the automobilists passed scores of men and boys who were running at top speed. In their excitement many were yelling at the top of their voices.
"Where is it?" asked Bob of a group of boys.
"The old windmill!" was the answer.
"The place where we found the box Noddy Nixon stole from Mr. Judson!" cried Jerry, turning to his companions. "Queer, isn't it?"
"Maybe he got his toady, Jack Pender, to set the place afire so nothing would ever come out about it," suggested Bob.
"Hardly," ventured Jerry. "But what's the trouble up ahead?"
In advance could be seen quite a crowd of people in a group about some object. Just then came a long-drawn-out whistle of a steam engine.
"The fire apparatus is stuck!" cried Ned. "The horses can't pull it!"
"I always thought that machine was too heavy for two horses," said Mr. Slade.
The auto soon came up to