nt of the automobile around--that is
if we can keep the machine from sliding down on us."

"We can easily fix that part of it," answered Dave. "All we've got to
do is to take that towing-rope we brought along and fasten it to a tree
and the back axle of the car."

"That's the talk, Dave!" cried his uncle. "Get the rope and make it fast
at once."

While our hero and several of the other boys were adjusting the
towing-line which had been brought along for emergencies, Dunston Porter
and Mr. Basswood set to work to loosen the rock which held the wheel.
This was no easy task, but finally, with the aid of a hammer and a small
crowbar, it was accomplished, and the rock slid down the roadway. Then
the automobile began to start forward.

"Look out there!" cried one of the boys. "This line may not hold!"

"That will hold two cars like that," answered Dave. The rope strained
and creaked, but did not break, and soon those in front of the car had
the machine jacked around once more in a straight position, headed down
the road.

"Now Ben, I guess you're all right again," said Dave.

"Provided I don't meet that cow again," was the retort. "How about that
rope?"

"I'll unfasten it for you just as soon as you are ready to start."

"I think I'd rather walk to the foot of the hill," remarked Mrs.
Basswood, timorously.

"Let us all walk down. I'll be glad of the exercise," cried Belle, who
was tired of being cramped up in the tonneau of the automobile.

"Oh, but maybe that cow will get after us," exclaimed Jessie.

"Pooh! who's afraid of a cow!" cried the western girl, who had been
brought up to face hundreds of animals on her father's ranch.

"Well, I think we had better let the automobiles go first, anyway,"
suggested Laura. "We don't want them to come along and run over us," she
added, playfully.

Soon Ben and his chums were in the first of the touring-cars. Dave
released the rope, and the automobile resumed the descent of the hill.
Then the towing-line was wound up and thrown into the tonneau of the
second car, and that also resumed its journey.

Down at the foot of the long hill they met the cow and her owner, a
tall, cadaverous-looking individual, who eyed our friends frowningly.

"I see you got your cow all right enough," remarked Ben.

"So I did, but I'd a mighty long run to stop her," growled the man.

"You put us in quite a hole; do you know that?" went on Ben.

"'Tain't none of my fault," replied the owne