CHAPTER VI

ON A STRANGE ROAD

For several days they made good progress, for the roads were in fair condition. The machine was kept headed as nearly as possible toward Arizona, though they often had to go some distance out of their way to get rid of bad places, or find a ford or bridge to cross a stream.

"We'll soon be out of Texas," remarked Bob one afternoon, when they had passed through a small ranch town where they had dinner.

"And I think we're going to get a wetting before we leave the big state," put in Ned.

"I think you're right," agreed the professor, as he turned and looked at a bank of ugly dark clouds in the southwest. "A thunder shower is coming up, if I'm any judge. There doesn't seem to be any shelter, either."

As far as they could see there was nothing but a vast stretch of wild country, though, far to the north, there was a dark patch which looked as if it was a forest.

"It's coming just at the wrong time," remarked Jerry, who was steering. "I was in hopes the storm would hold off a bit. Well, we shan't melt if it does rain."

And that it was soon going to pour in the proverbial buckets full was evident. The wind began to blow a half gale, and the clouds, from which angry streaks of jagged lightning leaped, scurried forward. At the same time low mutterings of thunder were heard.

"We're in for it," cried Bob.

The next instant the storm broke, and the whole landscape was blotted out in a veil of mist and rain which came down in sheets of water. Now and then the darkness would be illuminated by a vivid flash of fire from the sky artillery, and the thunder seemed to shake the earth.

Jerry could barely see where to steer, so fiercely did the rain beat down. Fortunately they had time to put on their raincoats before the deluge hit them.

The provisions and other things in the auto had, likewise, been covered up with canvas, so little damage would result from the downpour.

"Look out!" yelled Ned suddenly to Jerry. "There's something ahead of us!"

Jerry partially shut off the power, and, as the machine slowed down, he and the others peered forward to see what the object was.

"It's some sort of an animal!" cried Bob, who had sharp eyes. "It's running along on four legs, right in front of the car!"

"It's a bear, that's what it is!" shouted Ned. "A big black bear!"

"Let me get it for a specimen!" exclaimed the professor, in his enthusiasm, not considering the size of the animal, nor the difficulties in the way of capturing it. "Let me get out! It's worth forty dollars if it's worth a cent!"

At the sound of the excited voices, which the animal must have heard above the roar of the storm, the bear turned suddenly and faced the occupants of the car. So quickly was it done that Jerry had barely time to jam on the brakes in order to avoid a collision.

"Why didn't you run him down, and we could have some bear steaks for supper?" asked Bob.

"Because I don't think it's just healthy to run into a three hundred and fifty pound bear with a big auto," replied Jerry. "We might kill the bear, but we'd be sure to damage the car."

The beast did not appear to be frightened at the sight of his natural enemies. Raising on its haunches the animal slowly ambled toward the stalled machine, growling in a menacing manner.

"I believe he's going to attack us!" exclaimed the professor. "Let me get out my rifle!"

But this was easier said than done. The weapons and ammunition were all under the canvas, and it would require several minutes to get at them.

In the meanwhile the bear, showing every indication of rage was trying to climb up on the engine hood, despite the throbbing of the engine, which was going, though the gears were not thrown in.

"Start the car and run over him!" exclaimed Bob.

"Back up and get out of his way!" was Ned's advice to Jerry.

"I've got to do something," muttered the steersman.

Matters were getting critical. The storm was increasing in violence, with the wind lashing the rain into the faces of the travelers. The growls of the angry beast mingled with the rumble and rattle of thunder, and the machine was shaking under the efforts Bruin made to climb over the hood and into the front seat.

"Hold on tight! I'm going to start!" yelled Jerry suddenly.

He threw in the intermediate gear and opened wide the gasolene throttle. The car sprang forward like a thing alive. But the bear had too good a hold with his long sharp claws sticking in the ventilator holes of the hood, to be shaken off.

"I should think he'd burn on the water radiator," said Ned.

"His fur's too thick I guess," was Bob's reply.

On went the auto, the boys and the professor clinging to it for dear life, while Bruin hung on, half crazed with fear and anger.

"How you going to get rid of him?" shouted Ned above the roar of the storm.

"I'll show you," replied Jerry grimly.

Some distance ahead the steersman had seen a sharp curve in the road. It was dimly discernible through the mist of water.

"Hold tight everybody!" shouted Jerry a second or two before the turn was reached.

Then, suddenly swinging around it, at as sharp an angle as he dared to make and not overturn the car, Jerry sent the auto skidding. The next instant, unable to stand the impetus of the turn, the bear lost its hold on the hood, and was flung, like a stone from a catapult, far off to the left, rolling over and over on the muddy ground.

"There, I guess it will be quite a while before he tries to eat up another live automobile," remarked Jerry as he slowed up a bit.

Off in the distance they heard a sort of reproachful whine, as if Bruin objected to such treatment. Then the rain came down harder than ever, and all sight of the bear was lost.

"Let's get out of this!" exclaimed Ned, as he felt a small stream of water trickling down his back. "Can't we strike for those woods we saw a while ago?"

"I'm headed for them," spoke Jerry. "I just want to get my bearings. Guess we'd better light up, as it will soon be dusk."

After some difficulty in getting matches to burn in the wind and rain, the big search lights and the oil lanterns were lighted, and then, with four shafts of light cutting the misty darkness ahead of them the travelers proceeded.

The roads seemed to be getting worse, but there was nothing to do except to keep on. Every now and then the machine would lurch into some hollow with force enough to almost break the springs.

"Hello!" cried Jerry suddenly. "Here are two roads. Which shall we take?"

"The right seems to go a little more directly north," said the professor, peering forward. "Suppose we take that?"

"Especially as it seems to be the better road," added Jerry.

He turned the machine into it, and, to the surprise of all they felt the thoroughfare become hard and firm as the auto tires rolled over it. It was almost as smooth as asphalt, and the travelers were congratulating themselves on having made a wise choice.

All at once the rain, which had been coming down in torrents, seemed to let up.

"I believe it's clearing up," said Bob.

"No, it's because we've run into a dense forest, and the trees above keep the rain off," spoke the professor.

The others looked about them and saw that this was so. On every side the glare of the lamps showed big trunks and leafy branches, while ahead more trees could be observed.

"Why it's just like a tunnel in the woods," said Bob. "See, the trees seem to meet in an arch overhead."

"And what a fine road it is," put in Ned.

"An altogether strange sort of road," agreed Jerry. "Suppose we stop and look about before we go any further? I don't like the looks of it."

Accordingly the machine was brought to a halt, and the travelers alighted. They found it just as Bob had said, almost exactly like an immense tunnel in the forest. Beneath their feet the road was of the finest Macadam construction.

"And to think of finding this in the midst of Texas," observed Jerry.

"Some one built this road, and cut the trees to make this tunnel," remarked the professor. "I wonder what sort of a place we have stumbled into."

"At all events it doesn't rain anything to speak of in here," said Bob, "and it's a good place to stay until the storm is over."

Jerry, in the meanwhile had walked on ahead some distance. In a few minutes he came hurrying back. His manner showed that he had seen something.

"What is it?" asked the professor.

"Don't make any noise, but follow me," replied the lad.

In silence, and wondering what was about to happen, Bob, Ned and the scientist trailed after Jerry. He led them several hundred feet ahead of the automobile, and away from the glare of the lamps, the tunnel curving somewhat.

"See!" whispered Jerry, hoarsely.

"Well, I never!"

"That's queer!"

There, about three hundred feet to the left of the main road and on a sort of side path, the travelers saw a small hut, brilliantly lighted up. Through an open window, a room could be seen, and several figures moving about in it.