CHAPTER IX

NO MAN’S LAND.

Re-enforced again with food and supplies, the girls set out upon the road which by this time had become familiar. But they decided not to risk camping in the spot which had proved so unlucky; instead they preferred to avail themselves of the public grounds set aside for the purpose.

They continued to follow the Lincoln Highway until it was time to turn north to Chicago, for in this city they were to rest for a day or two and do a little shopping. Of all the party Marjorie alone was in favor of limiting their stay to one night; the majority however prevailed, and two of their eight surplus days were to be sacrificed. Daisy and Florence were both enthusiastic supporters of the proposition.

They arrived in Chicago late in the afternoon and drove immediately to their hotel, where they had arranged by telegram for rooms. Hardly had they settled themselves and their belongings before Florence was summoned to the telephone. She was gone nearly fifteen minutes; then she returned in high spirits to the group assembled in Marjorie’s room.

We don’t need to ask who it was who wanted you! teased Alice.

Florence blushed slightly. Then, turning to their chaperone:

Mrs. Remington, do you think it would be all right for us to go to dinner with Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Cryton? You know they are taking us all to the theatre afterwards.

Why yes, assented the older woman. I don’t see any objection.

Marjorie frowned imperceptibly; it was evidently to be a case of these two young men morning, noon, and night as long as they remained in Chicago.

How long are your friends to be in this city? she inquired.

Oh, indefinitely, replied Daisy. They don’t expect to start west for a week or so.

Then we shan’t see them again after this visit? asked Ethel, without regret.

I hardly think so, answered the other.

This piece of information, however, made Marjorie decide that she would make an opportunity to question them about their whereabouts on Monday night. It was not that she really expected to learn anything definite; nevertheless she felt that if they had played a practical joke on the girls by stealing the food, she might be able to embarrass them and thus conclude that they were guilty. Accordingly, she managed to secure a seat next to McDaniel at the theatre that evening, and when Daisy, who was next to him on the other side, was busy talking to Cryton, she seized her chance.

Have you heard about our robbery? she asked, watching him closely.

She thought that there was the least perception of a start in her companion’s facial expression.

Yes, Miss Evans told us at supper. It certainly was too bad.

The part that puzzles us, she continued, is why anyone wealthy enough to own an automobile would steal such a cheap article as food.

Your thieves were probably hungry! laughed the young man. I’ve known times in college when I felt so starved that I’d have been willing to steal!

But not from helpless girls! Marjorie protested.

I should say not! I wish instead that we had been near enough to come to your rescue. Here we were comfortably enjoying ourselves at a smoker—I recall the night, it had been such a disagreeable day—and we— The rise of the curtain put an abrupt end to his sentence. I hope the show is good, he concluded, turning his attention to the stage.

When Marjorie later repeated the conversation to Ethel, she admitted that she had abandoned the idea of these young men being guilty. They might be silly and frivolous, but at least they had not set out to be mean. The alibi of the smoker was conclusive proof.

But although she dismissed her suspicion concerning the two young men, she did not find that she liked them any better as the time passed. And much to her dismay the consensus of opinion was to delay the stay in the city another day on account of inclement weather. Marjorie and Ethel were the only ones opposed to the plan.

But it brings our surplus time down to five days! she protested. And we’ve only gone half way.

But nothing will go wrong, argued Florence. And that is what we have our extra time for—to rest during bad weather.

But the weather isn’t very bad, remarked Ethel. It may be lots worse than this farther on.

Well, no matter what it is like we will start on our way tomorrow.

That reminds me, said Daisy, Mr. Cryton told me of a new short-cut to the Lincoln Highway. If we follow his directions, we can save from two to three hours.

Marjorie looked up hopefully at this piece of news; indeed it seemed now as if her main object in life were to save time. If these young men suggested the means to accomplish this, they were not so useless after all.

Did you get the exact directions? she asked of Daisy.

Yes, Flos did. She made a little map and put it all down. Mr. Cryton said that about half a mile of the road was poor, but except for that little stretch, it is even better than the Lincoln Highway.

The others were all heartily in favor of following the directions, and early the next morning the party started off again. The weather had cleared again and the sun was shining brightly; but on the grass and in the road there was still evidence of the recent rain. Daisy sat beside the driver on the front seat of the larger car, and held the plan open in her hands, for all the scouts were anxious to make no mistake which might end in a delay.

They followed a good macadam street for several miles to the outskirts of the city, then came to their first turning. It proved to be a dirt road—a rather narrow one at that—which sloped gradually down hill.

This must be the stretch of bad road which the boys mentioned, remarked Marjorie. It looks rather doubtful to me.

Yes, returned Daisy, consulting her diagram. This is the poor part.

Had we better risk it? asked Marjorie.

Surely! cried two or three of the others.

Nobody can say that Girl Scouts are poor sports! added Florence, from the rear seat.

Accordingly, Marjorie turned into it, and threw on the gas. The road, which would have been uninviting in dry weather, appeared as they advanced to be almost a sea of mud after the recent rains. But the brave driver went resolutely ahead.

Three or four minutes passed without anyone’s uttering a word, each was so busy silently watching the ruts and the road ahead. For a short distance the car proceeded reluctantly in high gear, but as they continued to descend, the accumulated rain water caused the road to become heavier, and Marjorie was forced to shift successively from high gear to second, and from second to low. It was with great difficulty that she kept the car going straight ahead; every time she steered out of the natural ruts in an attempt to find more solid ground, the rear of the car slithered around in first one direction and then another, till it looked at times as if they were about to slide into the ditches on either side of the road. Afraid to stop, for fear of being unable to start again, Marjorie kept the engine racing, yet they were making but little headway; the rear wheels revolved in the slippery mud as if upon a tread-mill.

The girls sat there, fascinated and helpless, watching Marjorie’s efforts. They were powerless to help her, and knew it; for she was by far the best driver among them. Daisy was the first to break the silence; it was she who felt responsible for bringing this misfortune upon the others.

It can’t be much farther, she said. At least, if this map is true to proportions.

Marjorie said nothing; all of her energy was directed in keeping the car in the middle of the road. The engine was exceedingly hot now, and the mud, instead of lessening, seemed to become even thicker, and she could feel the car slowing down under the strain as if it were giving out. She looked ahead and beheld, to her immense delight, that they had reached the lowest point of the road, and presumably the worst; for in the distance she could see that it ascended gradually, and in doing so, looked more substantial.

The sight fired Marjorie anew. It was such a short distance to go! If she could only make it! She braced her aching shoulders and tired arms for a renewed effort.

Ethel saw the look of determination on her face, and encouraged her.

Hang on, Marj, old scout! she urged. Don’t give up the ship! Get us out of this and we’ll invent a new merit badge to reward you with!

But the car, despite Marjorie, had made as much progress as it could; whether it was because the motor was overheated, or because they encountered an unusually deep rut, the engine, after a spasmodic pant or two, stopped dead, and the car settled back comfortably in the ooze. The girls let out a distressing groan.

There was a moment of deep silence after the labored chugging of the engine had ceased, and then they heard Lily’s car churning behind them.

Can’t you even pull over a little? demanded Florence. To let Lily’s car pass?

But it was too late. In turning out, Lily’s engine had also stalled, and the car came to a stop six or eight feet behind the other. The girls looked at each other in dismay.

Now this is a pretty muddle to get into! called Lily, from the rear.

Mud-dle is good! remarked someone; but how are we to get out?

Let her cool a while, Ethel advised; and then try her again.

Some more of our precious time! muttered Marjorie, peevishly, as she mopped the perspiration from her face. She could not help holding it against Daisy and Florence.

Accordingly, they set themselves to the unpleasant task of waiting. After five minutes’ time, Marjorie decided to try again. But although the engine started bravely enough, the car stubbornly refused to move forward. The rear wheels, turning in the rut, sent forth a shower of mud, and since they would not take hold, only dug them in deeper. Repeated attempts proved fruitless, and were finally abandoned.

We’ll have to be towed out! remarked Marjorie, grimly.

By whom? asked Ethel.

Marjorie shrugged her shoulders; she could not see much hope.

Maybe one of the farm-houses has a horse— she began.

Girls! cried Alice, abruptly. Look who are coming towards us!

Who? demanded everyone instantly. All eyes strained in the direction of the good road, far ahead of them.

I do believe it’s the boys! cried Daisy, gleefully.

The mysterious car! laughed Alice.

They had better not come near us! muttered Ethel. They are not in high favor.

But if they can help us— suggested Daisy.

We couldn’t accept it, and we wouldn’t! announced Marjorie, decisively. Don’t forget our regulations!

My gracious, I had forgotten, Daisy admitted.

The young men were near enough to wave to the girls now, and they stopped their car close to the muddy piece of road and got out. Then, cautiously picking their way, they advanced to the standing machines.

I should think you two would be ashamed to show your faces! Florence called, accusingly, as soon as they were within hearing distance.

Instantly both men were all apologies; they explained that they knew the road only in dry weather, when it had not been impassible; then, when they had come across another muddy road that morning, they realized what this one could be, and hastened with all speed to the scouts’ rescue, should they be needed.

But we told you before that we couldn’t accept help from men, Florence explained.

I know—but this is different! protested Cryton. This is serious.

Please let us try to tow you out! urged McDaniel. Our engine is a mighty powerful one.

No! replied Marjorie, stubbornly. Never! I’d rather leave the cars and go back home. And from the expression on her face, the men knew that she meant what she said.

But you can’t wait here all day, objected Cryton.

No, answered Marjorie, opening the door of her car. I am going to the nearest farm house.

And I’m going with you! cried Ethel, always on the alert for action.

The girls picked their way through the sticky mud, often sinking ankle deep into its depths. But their shoes were stout and their stockings of wool, so they did not mind.

Meanwhile the men took their seats in the car, and used every argument they could think of to induce the scouts to change their minds. But they might as well have saved their breath; fifteen minutes later when Marjorie and Ethel returned, they had not made any progress.

What success? demanded Alice, expectantly.

None! replied Marjorie, with a dismal smile.

You didn’t find a farm house?

Yes, we did.

But they had no big horses?

Yes, they had some splendid horses.

Marj, tell us! cried Florence, in exasperation. Wouldn’t they come out and help us?

Yes, they would, answered Marjorie sadly. That’s the worst of it. They were both willing and capable of helping. But they were men!

The girls all groaned at the mention of this restriction, which seemed to thwart them at every point. McDaniel and Cryton were unfeeling enough to laugh out loud.

A nice place to camp—here in the mud! remarked the latter, sarcastically. And just sit around and wait for dry weather—

Hush! remonstrated Florence, in irritation. It was bad enough to be in such a plight without being taunted about it.

Then you will accept our help? asked McDaniel seriously. You might as well let us do something as to allow strangers.

No, replied Marjorie, firmly; because we’re going to help ourselves!

The men opened their eyes wide in astonishment.

But how? demanded Cryton, incredulously.

I would prefer to have you people drive on first, said Marjorie, coldly, instead of answering the young man’s question. I wouldn’t want it even to look as if you were helping us.

Certainly, answered McDaniel, who seemed to be the more courteous of the two.

Marjorie resumed her seat in the car and said nothing more until the red racer was out of sight. Then she explained her plan briefly.

Do you see that broken fence over there? she asked. I mean to take two of those rails, put them under the back wheels, and start the engine. If everything works as I think, we’ll be out of here in less than five minutes.

Without any further delay the girls obtained their rails, all of them remaining out of the car until the experiment was over. Marjorie took her seat at the wheel and started the engine. To the supreme delight of all the scouts the car gave a mighty lurch and started forward! Two minutes later it reached the solid ground.

Now to help Lily! cried Marjorie, jumping out of her machine.

The smaller car proved equally easy to move; as the girl had promised, they were on their way again in less than five minutes’ time.

And I hope we pass the red car again! cried Alice, triumphantly. Just so we can tell those young men—

Something tells me, remarked Ethel, enigmatically, we are due to hear from them again!

I agreed with you! added Marjorie, stonily.