"I was beginning to think we had made another mistake." They hung the lantern on a tree limb and then lit the lights attached to the biplane, for they had insisted that the _Dartaway_ be supplied with these,--not for the purpose of flying at night, but so that the machine could be lit up in the dark if it rested in the road or in some other place where some person or vehicle might run into it.
It was an easy task to bring the biplane out into the opening in the woods, and this done the boys took a general view of the situation, so that they might get their bearings.

Then all but one lantern were extinguished, and the engine was started up and they got aboard the craft, Dick taking the wheel.
"Now, Sam, it is up to you to give me the points of the compass," said Dick.

"And, Tom you keep your eyes open for the lights of Sherodburg and Fremville." Into the sky with its twinkling stars swept the _Dartaway_, and Sam gave the direction to be taken by consulting the tiny pocket compass he carried.

Of course these directions were crude, but they were better than nothing, and soon Tom cried out that he could make out the lights of a settlement in the dim distance.
"That must be Sherodburg," said Dick.
"Why stop there ?" asked Tom.

"I don't think the touring car did.