ht. "I never knew
you to eat so much for breakfast, auntie, dear."

"I just wanted it," was Aunt Betty's response, "and, wanting it, I
see no reason why I should not have it. I have no intention of
denying myself what sustenance I require."

"Then never talk to me again about being an invalid!" cried the girl.
"When I came back to Bellvieu I was led to believe that you were fast
failing in health. But, as yet, I have seen no indication that you
are not as hale and hearty as the best of us."

"I feel some better--that I will freely admit."

"And at the end of our camping trip you are going to feel better
still. Who knows? You may take on ten or twelve pounds in weight."
This from Jim.

"Well, let us hope not. I am carrying now all the flesh I am able to
put up with."

Breakfast over at last, the party lost no time in re-embarking, and
soon the big Ajax, given a new lease on life by reason of a sharp
turn of the crank in front, was again speeding on its way.

The car proved itself an excellent traveler. The roads were rough in
many places, yet not once during the day did any trouble arise either
from mechanism or tires.

The machine proceeded at a steady gait until shortly after noon,
when, in another village some forty odd miles from Baltimore, the
party stopped for lunch.

Here the supply of gasoline was replenished, Gerald having already
been forced to draw upon his reserve. This was necessitated by his
having forgotten to fill his tank before leaving home.

"I don't know how I came to neglect such an important matter," he
said to Jim. He seemed rather piqued.

"Mistakes will happen, no matter what you are doing or where you
are," was Jim's reply, intended to be consoling. "Suppose we had run
out of gasoline between towns, though?"

Gerald grinned at the thought.

"But we didn't," he said.

"Yes; but if we had?"

"Well, some of us would have taken a little journey, to the nearest
available supply, and brought some back with us--that's all.
Fortunately, in these days of the automobile, an ample supply of
gasoline may be found at any country store. There was a time when it
was as hard as the mischief to get it."

"How far can you run with one supply?"

"Seventy-five miles, without the reserve, which is good for another
forty."

"This machine seems complete in every particular, with its reserve
tank, and store box behind."

"Surely. While called a touring car, it has many of the features of a
r