"It must be Carpen Falls," announced Dave. "See, there are the Falls off to the right!" and he pointed to where a fair-sized stream of water came down between the trees and fell over the rocks. The Falls were fifteen to twenty feet high, and made a beautiful sight. Carpen Falls was a settlement of some importance, for the campers on the lakes for miles around came there to do their trading. There were two general stores, one containing the post-office, and also a blacksmith's shop, livery stable and garage combined, and a small summer hotel. "Oh, look! My father and mother!" cried Jessie, as the two machines rolled up to the hotel. To the surprise of all, Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth stood on the piazza watching their approach. "Oh, we thought you would never get here!" cried Mrs. Wadsworth, in relief. "We thought sure you had had some sort of accident on the road." "And how is it you are here?" asked Dave, quickly. "We came in this morning to do some trading at the store," answered Mr. Wadsworth. "We were going back, when it began to storm so hard that we decided to stay here until the rain let up, and until you arrived. It certainly was a hard downpour!" "We came pretty near having several accidents," answered Ben. And then after the party had alighted, they told of the various happenings on the journey. "We can remain here all night if you want to," announced the jewelry manufacturer. "But if you would rather go on to the bungalows I think we can make it. There are two old stages here, and the drivers are perfectly willing to make the trip." "Now we have gotten so far, let us finish the trip," urged Laura. "I think I would rather be at the bungalows than at this hotel," she added, with a look around that hostelry--a place that was not particularly inviting. "But you'll want supper first; won't you?" questioned Mrs. Wadsworth. "We had something to eat at Simpson's Corners," answered her daughter. The stages that Mr. Wadsworth had mentioned were certainly old-fashioned and dilapidated, but each was drawn by a pair of sturdy horses, and the drivers said that they were perfectly safe and could make the journey to Mirror Lake without trouble. So, having transferred the baggage from the automobiles to these ancient vehicles, and having placed the touring-cars in the garage, with orders to have the damaged car repaired, our friends piled into the turnouts, and then, with various calls to the animals and loud crackings of the whips, the two stages started for Bear Camp. CHAPTER XIII AT BEAR CAMP "Talk about the old-time coaching days!" remarked Dave. "I don't believe they were any worse than this." "Oh, Dave, you mustn't find fault!" cried Jessie. "We'll soon be there, I hope." "Providing we don't go down in some hole and break off a wheel," put in Roger. "Say, this road is some rough!"