y reached the end of the trail, where a
foot bridge made of two logs took them over the turbulent little river.
But no "Comet" stood waiting for them at the rendezvous with Ben at the
wheel and Miss Campbell on the back seat. To be sure the road was twice
as long, as the trail had wound around the side of the mountain for some
five miles, but that was nothing to a motor car.

"Might as well sit down and wait," suggested the doctor.

They seated themselves in a row on a log expecting every minute to see
the familiar blue car loom into sight.

But the lagging moments dragged themselves into half an hour and still
the "Comet" lingered.

"I think we'd better walk back," said Billie, beginning to feel just a
tinge of uneasiness.

"Perhaps it would be as well," echoed the doctor. "They have had a
breakdown, no doubt."

The band of wayfarers feeling very weary after the rough walk along the
river trail began their march back toward the lake.

CHAPTER XI.

A COMEDY OF ERRORS.

The original lake party might have served as an excellent illustration
of the history of many principalities and nations. Having suffered a
division and then a subdivision and finally a breaking up into
fractional groups, it became as a weakened and shattered government,
powerless to help itself.

It soon became evident that Mary Price was too weary to take the long
walk back to the lake.

She was left therefore by the roadside with Percy and Elinor, while Dr.
Hume, Nancy and Billie went on.

"It will probably be no time at all before we pick them up," said the
doctor cheerfully, but they made the entire walk to the lake house and
there was no "Comet" to be seen.

"It left here two hours ago," the boatman informed them. "Maybe they
went on to the second bridge. That's half a mile beyond the first one.
They'll tell a person anything, these people here will."

"I suppose that's exactly what happened," Billie exclaimed, much
relieved. "They have been waiting at the second bridge and will be on
their way back by this time. But I think they will have to come all the
way. Nancy has a blister on her heel."

"Now, don't blame it all on me, Billie," said Nancy. "You know you are
dead tired yourself."

Billie smiled guiltily.

"I am played out," she said.

"I wouldn't think of allowing either of you young ladies to start on
another tramp," put in Dr. Hume. "I am too good a doctor for that. You
must stay right here and rest and I'll