"A good idea, Uncle Dunston. We'll wait," answered Dave. As they stood there all strained their ears to catch some sound from the other car. "I don't hear it at all," said Roger. "All I hear is the breeze in the trees," put in Laura. "They must be running without power," answered Dunston Porter. "If they are going down a really steep hill, it's a wonder we don't hear some squeak from the brakes," was Phil's comment. "Listen!" cried Dave, suddenly, and held up his hand. All strained their ears once more, and now far below them they heard several cries mingled with a shriek. Then came a sudden crash, followed by more shrieks. "They've had an accident!" "Wonder what it was?" "We'll have to go and see!" cried Dave, and put on the power once more. "That's right!" cried Dunston Porter: "Get down there as fast as you can, Dave. But be careful--we don't want to run into them, or have any accident of our own. There must be something wrong down there!" CHAPTER IX ON THE ROAD "Perhaps they have gone off into some ditch!" "Maybe they bounced off a rock and hit a tree!" "A fellow could easily break a wheel on this rough road!" "Oh, I hope none of them have been hurt!" Such were some of the remarks that came from those in the tonneau of the touring-car, as Dave put on the power and started down the winding road which led to the bottom of the long hill. "Better keep her in low gear, Dave," said Dunston Porter, as the car struck a rather steep incline. "The engine will help hold her back." "I think I can hold her with the brakes, Uncle Dunston," answered the youth, who had already thrown off the power. He had the foot-brake well down, and now he threw in the emergency as well. On and on slipped and slid the big touring-car, bumping over a road which seemed to grow worse as they progressed. All of the lights were on full, and they were needed, for the road turned and twisted in such a fashion that but little could be seen ahead. In some places the highway seemed extra narrow, this being caused by the heavy trees and bushes lining both sides. At one point the water had caused quite a washout, and into this and out again they bumped with such violence that all the girls shrieked in alarm. "Some bump that!" was Roger's grim comment. "O dear, I thought sure I'd be jounced out!" cried Jessie. "Dave, can't you go a little slower?" "I'll try," returned the youth, and jammed down the foot-brake as hard as he could. For an instant the touring-car came almost to a standstill, but presently they slid onward again, coming a moment later to another bend. "Look out! Don't run into us!" It was a yell from in front, and now Dave saw Luke Watson standing in the roadway, waving his handkerchief.