"I guess it cost you the shoe," remarked Dave, as he examined the article. "Pretty well cut up." "It was an old one, anyway, Dave. Now we'll have the pleasure of putting on one of those new ones," and he smiled grimly, for he did not like that task any better than does any other autoist. "Oh, we'll all help," cried Phil. "It won't be so bad, if we all take turns at pumping in the air." "Wish I had one of those new kind of machine pumps on the car," answered Roger. "But I haven't got it, so it's got to be bone labor, boys." And then the damaged wheel was jacked up and a new shoe with its inner tube was put on and inflated. All told, the job took the boys a full half-hour, for the new shoe was a tight fit and did not want to go over the rim at first. "Hello, what do you know about this!" cried Phil, as they were finishing the blowing up of the tube. "It's raining!" "Yes, and look how black it is getting over yonder!" exclaimed Bert. "We are in for a storm now, sure!" "I was almost certain we'd catch it," said Dave. He unscrewed the pump from the wheel. "Roger, we had better get back to that hotel just as fast as we can." "My idea, exactly, Dave, for I don't want to be caught on this hilly road in a storm." "Better put the top up," advised the shipowner's son. "It's going to pour in a few minutes." "And hadn't we better put on the chains, too, Roger?" questioned Dave. "It may be dangerous work going down the hill if it rains hard." "Yes, we'll put up the top and put on the chains," was the quick reply of the senator's son. "You fellows attend to the top and I'll see to the chains." By the time the top had been put up and fastened it was raining steadily. Also, the wind was beginning to blow, showing that the downpour was liable to become worse. "Fasten the side curtains, Phil; I'll help with the chains!" sang out Dave, and while the shipowner's son and Bert fastened the curtains, so as to keep out the driving rain, our hero aided Roger. "You'll get wet, Dave; better get in the car," panted Roger, who was working as rapidly as circumstances permitted. "No wetter than you," answered Dave, and then he pulled the second chain in place and fastened it. Both boys got into the touring-car just as a heavy crash of thunder sounded out. "Phew! listen to that, and look at the lightning!" cried Phil. "Say, if you are ready, Roger, we had better get out of here!" "If you can only get back to the hotel," murmured Bert, anxiously. "If I were you I'd not think of going home until the storm clears away." "Back to the hotel will be enough for me," answered Roger. "All ready?" he asked, for he had already cranked up. "All ready," answered Dave, who had gotten on the front seat, thus allowing Bert and Phil the better shelter of the tonneau of the car.