CHAPTER VI
The Big Surprise
As the automobile sped toward the thoroughfare, Bob and Joe settledback for the long ride. Now that they were at last heading forWashington, the boys were becoming impatient, although they hadenjoyed the last few days immensely.
Until after they had left Chicago, Mr. Wilson was rather quiet,bending his efforts solely on managing the car. But when themetropolis had disappeared from view, he inquired about his friends'expedition into the Andes Mountains.
"Perhaps I'm not much of an adventurer, but somehow I wouldn't carefor that sort of a life," he laughed, after Mr. Wallace had relatedthe outlines of the expedition. "I wouldn't mind taking a trip to thatplace--put up at a hotel, or the like. But when it comes to strayingoff the traveled road, well----" He stopped meaningly.
Bob laughed.
"It's a good thing people aren't all alike," he said. "If they were,either the wilds or the civilized places would be filled to capacity."
Although the youths were anxious to reach their destination, theyfound the drive East interesting, even though they had made it before.Their attention was so held by the many interesting sights that,almost before knowing it, they found themselves in Pittsburgh, afterhaving eaten a lunch several hours before. In the business districtthey engaged rooms in a small but comfortable hotel.
If Mr. Wilson and the naturalist were tired, the youths were not. Theyinsisted on taking a look at Pittsburgh, which they had not seen formany months. An hour or two of looking around and they would return tothe hotel, remarked Bob.
During that time the young men found much to hold their interest. Thegreat fiery blast furnaces, the towering skyscrapers, the crowds ofpleasure seekers, and the lights of river boats all kept them gay withamusement.
At last, when they finally made themselves return to the hotel, theyfound that their friends had gone. Evidently the lure of a great citywas too much for them.
"And Mr. Wilson said he was dead tired," said Joe with a smile.
"They're no different from us," said Bob. "Want to keep on the go, Iguess."
Mr. Wallace and his friend did not return until late, much to theamusement of the youths. Both men wore a sheepish look as they caughtsight of Bob and Joe.
"Sorry, but we just had to get out," grinned the newspaper man,walking drowsily through the lobby. "Couldn't stand it to stayinside."
"Perhaps you'll pay the penalty of oversleeping," laughed Joe, "and wewon't get started until late."
Joe proved wrong, however, for early the next morning they were upmaking ready to resume the journey. From Pittsburgh the travelingpromised to be slower, owing to the increased traffic and mountainouscountry. But Mr. Wilson was determined to make good time, and did,reaching York, Pennsylvania, at one o'clock.
Here the youths and the naturalist were to take their leave, while thenewspaper man would continue to New York City. Had he not been in agreat hurry he would have insisted on driving them on to Washington.As it was, his business prevented his doing so.
With a hearty farewell, the boys and Mr. Wallace left his car and madetheir way to a railroad station, where they boarded a train for thenation's capital.
An hour and a half of traveling brought them to Baltimore, and nowthe youths began to feel that they were in home territory. In thiscity a delay was inevitable, but at last the train resumed its journeyto Washington, which it reached in due time.
Since Mr. Wallace and the boys had not known exactly when they wouldarrive, they had not expected anyone to meet them at the station. Butmuch to their surprise they found that Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis werewaiting for them when they went down from the tracks.
"Boys!" cried Mr. Holton excitedly. "And there's Wallace, too. How areyou, old man?"
There followed a wild shaking of hands, patting of backs, and generalwelcome, in which Mr. Wallace took as large a part as the others.
"How did you know we would come on that train?" inquired Bobwonderingly. "Mr. Wallace didn't tell you, did he?"
"Not exactly," Mr. Lewis returned, picking up a suitcase. "But he saidyou would probably get near Washington today, and that York,Pennsylvania, would be your junction point. So Howard"--referring toMr. Holton--"and I called up the station to find out when the trainwould get in. We were here this morning, when the early one arrived."
The newcomers were led to Mr. Holton's car, which was parked a shortdistance away. Glad of the chance to relax, the youths and Mr.Wallace threw themselves tiredly into the seats.
As mentioned previously, the respective homes of Bob and Joe werelocated next door to each other, almost at the edge of the city. Theywere not of costly design, but were comparatively new and pleasing.
Mr. Holton had barely brought the car to the curb when the boys'mothers, along with Bob's small brother and Joe's sister, came out tomeet them. There followed another greeting, if anything warmer thanthe first. Mr. Wallace, upon being introduced, received a heartywelcome. It might be added that he was to remain with either theHoltons or the Lewises until the expedition would depart for SouthAmerica.
"Now tell us what happened," urged Mrs. Lewis, Joe's mother, wheneveryone had assembled in the living room of the Holton home.
Briefly Bob related the adventures of himself and his friend, from thetime they lost the car in the river to the present. He told of comingto the washed-out bridge, of the forced abandoning of Joe's coupe, andof boarding the freight train where Spike Weaver was trapped. Theforced ride to Chicago, the calling on Mr. Wallace, and the eventfuldays that followed were described fully, while the others listenedbreathlessly.
"Quite an experience," commented Mr. Holton, when his son hadfinished. "Not many could have gone through it all."
The friendly gathering lasted until late that afternoon. As there wasno use making further preparations for the coming expedition, all butBob and Joe took it easy. The youths, however, thought it best tonotify the insurance company about losing Joe's car.
At request, the company agreed to send out an investigator withoutdelay. He arrived as soon as was promised and asked that Bob and Joeaccompany him to the spot where the car plunged into the river.
When they arrived at the familiar spot, Bob and Joe were not surprisedto see that workmen were repairing the washed-out bridge. The men wereaware that a car was at the river bottom.
"I'll take a few notes," said the insurance man. "Then we'll go back.And let me assure you that this matter will be looked after promptly."
Back at their homes, Bob and Joe were surprised to see a tall youngman of perhaps twenty-five conversing with the three naturalists inthe Holton library.
Mr. Lewis looked up suddenly as he caught sight of his son and Bob.
"We've a surprise for you," he said smiling. "Part of the Andesexpedition is going by airplane."