. "You're all
right, my boy! You drove that car like a Lancia. If you entered one of
the big road races I believe you'd win it--upon my word I do!"

"We had a big lead at the start," said Jack; then, flushing a little at
this public praise, "You see, the two cars are supposed to be exactly
alike, and if one is just as fast as the other, and two of them get into
a race, it's only natural for the one that has the start to keep its
lead. I don't think I deserve any special credit for that. All I had to
do was to keep her at full speed and steer."

"Yes, but it took more than that to lead us into this little man trap
you had ready for us. Don't forget that!"

"Danby," said Colonel Abbey then, significantly, "you'd better get over
to your headquarters and report to Captain Durland, if you have any
information as a result of your trip. He is probably anxious to learn
what you have accomplished."

Jack saluted at once, and turned on his heel. The headquarters of the
Scouts was a mile or so distant from Abbey's camp, so the three Scouts
got in the car again.

"Gee," said Jack, as he tested his gasoline tank, "we couldn't have gone
much farther, that's sure! The juice is pretty low here, and if we had
had to go a mile or so farther I don't know what might have happened. I
guess he could have put the salt he was talking about on our tails
easily enough."

"Well, he didn't, anyhow," said Tom Binns. "It isn't what they might
have done, but what they did, that counts, Jack. I think we came out of
it jolly well. Gee, but I was scared when that headlight hit us first!"

Durland was up and waiting for them when they arrived.

"Tryon Creek, eh?" said he, when Jack had made his report. "I thought as
much. They may have weaknesses of their own in the matter of keeping a
close guard, but General Bliss doesn't overlook anything in the way of
strategy. He is mighty wide-awake on any point of that sort. I think
I'll let you drive me over to General Harkness's headquarters and go in
with you while you make your report in person, Jack."

General Harkness had to be awakened, but he had left orders that he was
to be called at once should the Boy Scouts bring any news, and they had
no difficulty in reaching him.

"You don't think there can be any mistake about their intention to march
by way of Tryon Creek, do you?" he asked, with a grave face, when Jack
had finished making his report.

"No, general, I do not," said Jack, and he expla