September, about a week before school was to open. "Let's take a
little jaunt out in the country, stay a couple of days, and come back,
all ready to pitch in and study."

"Fine!" cried Bob. "We'll stay at a hotel where they have good
dinners--"

"Of course!" retorted Ned. "That's Chunky's first idea-- something to
eat. I've been waiting for him to say something like that."

The boys were at Jerry's house, talking over various matters. The auto
was kept in an unused barn back of his home, but, since the advent of
the motor boat, had not seen much service, though occasionally the
boys went out in it. Now, it was likely to come into active use again.

"Let's look the machine over," proposed Jerry. "It may need some
repairs. It got pretty hard usage, especially in our trips to Mexico
and across the plains."

The boys soon found that, beyond two tires which needed repairs, and
some minor adjustments to the engine, the car was in good shape. It
was in running order and, at Bob's suggestion, they got in it and made
a trip to the town garage, where they intended to leave it to be
overhauled.

As they were turning a corner, near the automobile shop, they heard a
sudden "Honk-honk!" that startled them. Jerry, who was at the steering
wheel, shut off the power and applied the emergency brake.

And it was only just in time for, a moment later, from a cross street,