It was already late when we started for the next town, which, according to the map, was about fifteen miles away on the other side of the hill. There we felt sure that we would find a bed for the night. Soon darkness fell after we left the village, but luckily we met no one when we drove fast along the narrow road which led to the hill. As our car climbed higher, it became colder and the rain began to fall, making it difficult to see the road.
After we had traveled for about twenty miles, there was still no sign of the town which was poorly marked on the map. We were beginning to get anxious when the car suddenly stopped. A quick examination showed that we had used up the gas. Although we had little food left , we decided to spend the night in the car.
With our meals finished, I tried to go to sleep at once, but John, who was a poor sleeper, got out of the car after a few minutes and went for a walk up the hill. Soon he found, in the valley below, the lights of the town that we were looking for. We at once pushed the car to the top of the hill. In less than a quarter of an hour, we were in the town.