These remarks came from the three students as they climbed down from
the car to make an examination of the damage done. Sam had secured his
searchlight, but this was hardly needed. One glance at the left-hand
back tire told the story. They had evidently run over something
sharp-- perhaps a piece of glass-- and there was a cut in the shoe at
least three inches long. Through this, the inner tube had blown out
with the report that had so startled them.

"Well, boys, everybody on the job!" cried Tom, and lost no time in
stripping off his coat and donning a jumper, which he carried for use
when working on the car.

"I suppose that's my fault," said Songbird, much crestfallen.

"It might have happened to any of us, Songbird," returned Sam. "Let us
see how quickly we can put on another shoe and inner tube." He, too,
put on a jumper, and in a few minutes the boys had the back axle of
the touring car jacked up.

"You hold the light, Songbird," directed Tom. "Sam and I can do this
work without any help." Then the two Rovers set to work, and in a very
short time the old shoe with its inner tube had been removed. In the
meantime, Songbird had brought out another inner tube, and unstrapped
one of the extra shoes attached to the side of the car, and these were
quickly placed over the wheel rim.

"Now, let me do my share of the pumping," insisted Songbird.

"Nothing doing on that score, Songbird!" replied Tom, quickly. "We had