we can get it to the edge of
the downward slope, and let it coast. Then, on the next level, we can
do the same thing again. In that way I am almost sure we can make over a
mile."

"Good!" cried Mollie. "You should have a car instead of me, Bet, my
dear!"

"Oh, I don't take any credit for that think! I just recalled an
advertisement I had read about self-starters. Nearly all of them say the
starters alone will propel the car for some distance. Let's try it,
anyhow."

They all felt better on hearing this, and Amy even laughed. She started
to get into the car, when Betty said:

"Perhaps it will be just as well to wait about getting in until the car
is at the beginning of the slope. The less weight in the auto the easier
it will move. Mollie, do you want to try the scheme?"

"No, you do it--you thought of it. We'll walk along with you if you get
it to go."

Betty soon demonstrated that she could get the auto to move, and slowly
but surely it rolled along until it had started down a long, gentle
slope. Then Betty shut off the electric motor, which was run by a
storage battery, and applied the brakes.

"Get in now," she directed, and a little later the party was coasting
down hill, the foot brake serving to prevent too great speed.

"So far--so good!" cried Betty, when they had reached the level. "Now to
see how far the starter will carry us."

As she spoke a more vivid flash of lightning, and a rumbling crash of
thunder, made all the girls, and even Cousin Jane, jump.

"We're going to get it!" predicted Grace, with a shiver.

Betty again repeated her operation with the starter. The car went
forward slowly, and the girls were very hopeful, and then suddenly the
auto came to a stop with a sort of whining groan, and the electric
lights went out.

"Oh, dear! What's happened now?" asked Amy.

"The storage battery has given out," said Mollie. "I was afraid it
would. Now, girls, we'll either have to stay here in the auto, or else
walk--and be caught in the rain."

"Well, let's get the top up, at all events," suggested Betty. "Then
we'll be sure of some shelter."

It began to rain, gently at first, even while they were struggling with
the rather refractory top, in the dim light of the two oil lamps. But
they managed to get it in place. Then, as they were fastening the side
curtains, the storm burst in all its fury, with a suddenness that was
almost terrifying.

Grace and Amy, who were trying to fasten a curtain