The tall, athletic-looking leader of the trio suddenly jumped aside, and
stooped over as if snatching something from the ground.

"'Ware, hawks!" shouted Bluff, who had noted this maneuver.

It could now be easily seen that Pet Peters had fastened upon quite a
cumbersome branch of a fallen tree, and his purpose was manifest when he
stepped out as if to drop it across the road, meaning to wreck the
machines as they swept on.

Frank changed his course just a trifle, but was now heading straight for
the unprincipled schemer, who would have taken the chances of seriously
injuring some of the party in order to further his own plans.

The sight of that heavy motor-cycle heading straight at him rather
demoralized Pet, who did not know but that Frank meant to chase him until
he got him; so that he dropped the branch before he had quite covered the
entire space across the narrow road, and made a wild leap for safety.

Consequently, Frank was able to veer aside and skim past the dangerous
obstruction without coming a "cropper" in the ditch.

Jerry also swept by, and the others were coming so fast on the heels of
the two leaders that the bewildered roughs could not pull their wits
together in time to make any successful swoop.

Perhaps they were not particularly anxious to arouse the party after
all; for the sight of the weapons they carried, and, above all, the
martial appearance of the khaki-clad Bluff, must have impressed them
more than a little.

"Hurrah! the camp is ours!" yelled the tail-ender, as he clung to the
rear of the remarkable procession; for never before had these solemn
woods witnessed anything like such a progressive picture of modern magic
as these four lads booming along on metal steeds capable of making fifty
miles an hour and more, in case of necessity, and over a smooth road.

A few minutes later of more moderate traveling brought them to a point
where a view could be had of the camp-site.

"Over to the right--notice those twin hemlocks yonder--well, the
wonderful spring bubbles up close beside those trees. Hold up, Frank!"
called Jerry.

So the quartette dismounted, jumping from their wheels while still in
motion, after the habit of those who use motor-cycles.

In another minute all of them were bending low over the spring, testing
the delightfully clear waters of the same.

Loud were the exclamations of satisfaction that arose, for their ride had
made them thirsty, and the water was as col