CHAPTER II
THE FIRE BIRD
Outside sounded the strident "honk-honk" of an automobile horn,followed by a series of explosions, like a Gatling gun in fulloperation, as Ned cut out the muffler, threw off the clutch, andbrought the machine to a stop at the door. More "honk-honks" calledDorothy out to welcome her cousins, and presently Ned and Nat, andDorothy and Tavia were chatting merrily on the porch, as the bigmachine puffed and "gasped" after its long run from North Birchland toDalton.
"We will go right off," insisted Dorothy, "so as to get all the ride wecan, it is such a beautiful day. I only have to grab up the lunchbasket, and Tavia is all ready--has been waiting in fact," as Taviareadjusted her "sailor," and endeavored to look spick and span, as shehad looked before the series of embraces and other disturbingactivities upset her rather perishable toilette--nothing wrinkles likefreshly-ironed gingham.
"Just a drink of cold water, lady," begged Ned, "before we start again.My throat is macadamized, my eyes are veritable kaleidoscopes, and Ifeel like a mummy generally."
"Why, of course," apologized Dorothy, "you must want a rest after thatlong dusty ride. Come into the sitting room, and we will try torefresh you."
"Just plain water, please," insisted Ned, "and then we will start off."
Tavia lost no time in bringing a pail of fresh water--Nat doing thebringing, while Tavia smiled approval and encouragement; it is a matterof such importance to carry the pail just so, when one really wants aperfectly fresh drink and not a glass of bubbles, and Nat was seeminglyso anxious to learn all about well water--all that Tavia could tell him.
"Come on," called Ned, impatiently from the side window. "We want thewater in time to get away before nightfall. Must be lovely to gofishing for water in a pail like Simple Simon. Nat, you can talk toTavia indefinitely after we have slaked our 'Fire-Bird' thirst."
Tavia blushed prettily at the good-natured rebuke, and Dorothyplayfully shook her finger at the tardy one, who seemed to haveforgotten all about Ned wishing a drink.
Finally the boys were satisfied that Dalton wells did justice to theirreputation, and so the "Fire-Bird" was made ready for the day's run.
"I am so glad," commented Dorothy, "that Joe and Roger are not around,it would be hard to go off and leave them."
"Plenty of time for little boys," remarked Nat, turning on thegasoline, then shoving the spark lever over, all ready to crank up.
Tavia had taken her place in front, as Nat was to drive the car, whileDorothy was on the leather cushions in the tonneau, where Ned wouldinterest her with talk of school and other topics which the two cousinsheld in common.
Presently Nat cranked up, swung himself into the car and the Fire-Bird"grunted off" lazy enough at first, but soon increasing to a swift runthrough the streets of Dalton.
"Isn't it splendid!" Tavia could not refrain from exclaimingenthusiastically.
"Yes," answered Nat, "but I believe there is something in swift motionthat unbalances human equilibrium. The madness of motoring would makea study. Dorothy would be proud of me could she hear me talk solearnedly," he said, smiling at his own seriousness, "but I do reallybelieve half of the unaccountable accidents might be traced to thespeed-madness."
"It does feel dreadfully reckless," said Tavia, realizing something ofthe power of speed, and taking off her sailor hat before the strawpiece made away on its own account. "I think it would be just likeflying to be in a real race."
"Not for mine," answered the practical Nat. "I like some kinds of agood time, but I have too much regard for the insurance company thatsaw fit to give me their 'promise to pay,' to trust my bones to theintelligence of a machine let loose. There is something so uncannyabout a broken neck."
A toot of the horn warned passersby that the Fire-Bird was about tomake a turn. Tavia bowed to those on the walk. Nat touched his cap.
"Who's the pretty one?" he asked, looking back, just a bit rudely, atTavia's friends.
"Alice MacAllister, the nicest girl in Dalton, except--"
"Tavia Travers," finished Nat, politely. "Well, she does look nice.Better get up a lawn party or something and invite her, andincidentally ask Nat White."
Dorothy leaned forward to whisper to Tavia that Alice was going outDighton way to play tennis, that Alice had told her she expected to wina trophy and this was the game to decide the series. Alice certainlylooked capable of winning most anything, she was such an athletic girl,the kind called "tailor made," without being coarse or mannish.
Then the Fire-Bird flew on. Out over the hill that hid Dalton from itspretty suburbs, and then down into the glen that nestled so cozily inits fringe of pines and cedars. Nat slackened speed to allow the partyfull enjoyment of the shady road, and this gave all an opportunity ofentering into lively conversation.
The boys wanted to know all about the mysterious man Anderson, who hadbeen lodged in jail. As Dorothy and Tavia had played rather aconspicuous part in the man's capture, and all this had happened sincethe girls had been out to the Cedars, on their visit, naturally Ned andNat were interested in the sensational news.
"I'm glad he's safe out of your reach, Doro," said Ned, "for you neverseemed to know when or where he would turn up."
"Yes," put in Tavia, "Doro has actually gained flesh since we landedhim. He was such a nuisance. Had no regard for persons or places."
"And how about the news from India?" asked Ned. "I suppose the majorwill sell out in Dalton and move to better accommodations now. Not butwhat Dalton is a first-rate place," seeing the look of reproach onDorothy's face at the idea of anyone uttering a word against herbeloved town, "but you know there are little conveniences in otherplaces, postmen for instance, and well--something called society, youknow."
"We have no thought of going away," answered Dorothy. "Father says themoney is just enough to make us comfortable and there is plenty ofcomfort to be bought in Dalton."
"And some given away," ventured Nat, with an arch glance at Tavia.
"Which way shall we go?" asked Nat, as a forking of the road made achoice necessary.
"Through the glen," suggested Dorothy, "there is such a pretty spotthere where we can lunch."
"Which spot?" asked Tavia, "I thought this was all road with deepgutters at the side, running down to the river over the hill."
"I am quite sure this is the road father took us out to picnic on,"said Dorothy with some hesitation.
"Well, maybe," said Tavia, "but I think this is the old river road. Itseems to me I have been out this way before, and never even found aplace to gather wild flowers, all road and gutters, then a big bank tothe river."
"Let's try it anyhow," decided Nat. "It looks nice and shady."
So the turn was made to the left, and presently another turn rounded,then another, until both Tavia and Dorothy lost all sense of thelocation.
"We will wind up somewhere," declared Nat, when the girls protestedthey would be lost if the machine were not turned around, and broughtback to the river road.
"This is such a tangle of a place," insisted Dorothy, "and we reallymight not meet a person to direct us."
"Then we will keep right on, and run into the next state," joked Nat,to whom being lost was fun, and having an adventure the best part of aride.
For some time the Fire-Bird flew along, the beautiful August day addinga wonderful charm to the tender shade of the oaks that lined the road,and through which just enough sunshine peeped to temper the balmyshadows.
"I am hungry. It must be lunch time," said Dorothy, as they reached apretty spot, "let's stop here and eat."
"Let's," agreed Nat, slowing up the machine.
"What do you suppose this road is for?" asked Ned, as neither therumble of a wagon wheel nor any other sound broke the stillness thatsurrounded the party.
"For instance," suggested Tavia.
"Or for maps," said Ned.
"For automobile parties," declared Dorothy.
"For yours truly," finished Nat, stretching himse
lf on the soft sod,that came down to the road as beautifully as if it had been made toorder on a well-kept terrace.
The girls soon had the lunch cloth spread and the basket was thenproduced--or rather its contents were brought forth.
"Yum, yum," exclaimed Nat, smacking his lips as Dorothy began placingthe eatables on the cloth.
"Oh, but water," sighed Tavia. "We were to get some as we came in thewoods. There is a fine spring there."
"Two miles back," announced Nat.
"But there must be one near here," declared Tavia, "for there areforget-me-nots in this grass."
"Is that a sign of water?" asked Ned.
"Positive--sure sign," replied Tavia. "Let's hunt for the spring."
"Too early," answered Nat, "against the game laws. Can't hunt for twowhole months yet. Worse luck."
"Well, look for the spring then," Tavia corrected herself. "I fancy Ismell watercress--"
"Well, of all the fanciers,--first bluebells mean spring water, thengasoline from our own tank smells like watercress. Now, OctaviaTravers, I'll go you," said Nat. "Come and find spring water, bunchesof watercress and a salt spring to go with the cress, or you will--walkhome."
Tavia answered the challenge by skipping along through the grassytrack, with Nat dragging lazily along at her heels.
"Don't get lost," cautioned Dorothy.
"And don't expect us to watch this food all afternoon," said Ned, asthe two disappeared over a bank on the "still hunt" for water andperhaps watercress.
"Tavia knows everything that grows," remarked Dorothy to her cousin, "Ithink it is so interesting to have a practical knowledge of nature."
"And quite convenient when it comes to lemonade with water," answeredthe boy. "It's queer Nat is like that too. He always knows thingsabout things when things are shy for a feed. Likely he'll bring back asmall-sized patch of the vegetable kingdom."
Meanwhile the explorers were making discoveries at every glade.
"There," called Tavia, triumphantly, "that's a spring. But theannouncement came a second too late to save Nat from a foot bath.
"So I have noticed," he declared, trying to shake some of the coldwater out of his low cut shoes.
"Oh, that's too bad," Tavia managed to say, although her joy at findingthe spring made any regret at the method of its discovery quite out ofthe question. Being careful of her own footing she made her way along,until the stone basin at the spring source came into view.
"Didn't I tell you?" she shouted. "And there is the watercress!"
She was on her knees now, leaning over like the goddess who saw herface reflected in the water. Tavia knew the peculiarities of a spring,and knew how to avoid the common penalty of wet feet when gettingeither cress or a drink "by hand."
"Let me," asked Nat, gallantly, as he saw her stooping over the brink.
"I do want some of the cress," she said.
"So do I," declared the knight. But alas; as he stepped to the brinkhe went down--down--down--
"Help!" he shouted, merrily, in spite of the second foot bath within afew minutes.
But Nat kept on sinking, until what seemed like a joke soon assumed aserious aspect.
"Give us a hand," he called to Tavia. "I must have struck quick-sand."
Tavia ran to the side of the pool where the boy was imbedded. He hadjumped right in, instead of feeling his way as Tavia had, to make sureof his ground.
"Take my hand," said the girl anxiously, but the effort necessary inreaching toward her only served to make the unfortunate youth sinkfarther down.
"I guess you'll have to go for help," he admitted finally, the dangerof the situation forcing itself upon him.
"But suppose you should go under while I am gone?" faltered Tavia.
"Just pull that tree branch over to me," said Nat, "and I'll cling tothat. This must be a glue spring. My, but it has a grip! There goesmy shoe."
"I'll run for Ned," cried Tavia, after she had given the boy in thepool a hold on the tree branch, and then she shot across the fieldslike a deer, leaving Nat to "say his prayers," as he described thesituation.
It seemed a long time to the imprisoned boy, but as a matter of fact,Tavia was back very soon with "reinforcements."
Besides Dorothy and Ned, there came to the rescue a woman, who justhappened by and heard of the danger. She knew the spring, and,depositing her basket of eggs in a safe place, pulled a fence rail fromits post, and with Ned holding one end hurried on to the spring. Bythis time Nat was almost exhausted, for though it was an August day,standing to the waist in cold spring water was not an enjoyableposition.
"I found the spring," he tried to joke, as the others came up to him.
"So we see," drawled Ned.
"Here," called the strange woman, who evidently knew exactly what todo. "Young man, you take this end of the rail to the other side. I'llhold my end here, and the boy can pull out across it."
Dorothy and Tavia looked on anxiously. They had heard of persons beingswallowed up in quick-sands. Might not this be such a danger?
The pool was uncomfortably wide just where Nat chose to try its depth,so that it was difficult to span it with the fence rail.
"Easy now," called the little woman in the big sunbonnet. "Take holdfirst, then draw yourself up."
Nat was only too anxious to do as he was told. It did seem so good tohave something solid within reach once more.
But tug as he would, he could not extricate his feet.
"Guess some Chinaman has a hold of me," he said, trying to make thebest of his predicament.
"Wait a minute," called the farm woman. "There, now, you take the railto the top of the spring and get down on it. Then you (to Nat) swingright up on it--now there, you've got it! Hold tight. Come here younggirls. Quick! Pull! Pull! Altogether! There you are!" and, at thatmoment, a very muddy form was dragged from the spring. Nat was on dryland again.