Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/113

 behind the car, in silence, waiting for them to start. It seemed to Peanut as if his heart beats must be heard, they were so loud in his breast.

Suddenly they heard a rustle and crack in the bushes almost beside them.

"What's that?" said one of the men, sharply.

"Oh, a rabbit, or something," the other replied. "There ain't a house anywhere 'round here. Don't be a goat."

"It's Rob. He'll spoil everything," whispered Art, dropping on his hands and knees, and literally crawling out from behind the motor to the roadside bushes where the noise came from.

The noise, of course, had ceased when the men spoke. Peanut could no longer see Art, in the shadow of the bushes, but his excited ear could hear the faint sound of a whisper. He wondered why the burglars didn't hear it, also, but they were talking again, oblivious.

A minute later Art returned, and before he could whisper, they heard one of the robbers strike a match. Evidently he looked at the time, for he said, "One o'clock. Let her go."

There was the click of a self starter, and the engine began to purr. A loud cough came from the exhaust at Peanut's feet, and made him jump. The car began to throb. As it started, both boys swung as lightly as they could up on the trunk rack, their