
CHAPTER I Stranded
CHAPTER II The Aimless Wanderer
CHAPTER III Helplessly Trapped
CHAPTER IV The Surly Trainman
CHAPTER V As Guests of the Naturalist
CHAPTER VI The Big Surprise
CHAPTER VII Off for the Andes
CHAPTER VIII Caught in the Storm
CHAPTER IX A Fearful Discovery
CHAPTER X Train Robbers!
Two friends find their weekend road trip turned into a life‑or‑death scramble when a sudden bridge collapse sends their car careening into a swollen river. Barely escaping, they watch the wreck disappear beneath the water and realize they’re stranded miles from any help. The narrative captures their quick thinking, the raw fear of the moment, and the stark beauty of an autumn‑colored wilderness that surrounds them.
Now they face a five‑mile trek back to the main highway, navigating muddy roads, dense forests, and the creeping chill of early winter. Their banter masks a growing unease as they wonder whether a passing stranger will stop for them or if they must keep moving on foot. The story balances tense survival instincts with a keen eye for the natural world, hinting that this unexpected detour may lead them far beyond a simple walk home.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (260K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2013-07-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known for fast-moving adventure stories for young readers, this early 20th-century writer sent his characters into the Andes, Brazil, and other far-flung settings. His books mix exploration, danger, and the kind of cliffhanger energy that made old-school juvenile fiction so popular.
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