"The right seems to go a little more directly north," said the professor, peering forward. "Suppose we take that?"
"Especially as it seems to be the better road," added Jerry.
He turned the machine into it, and, to the surprise of all they felt the thoroughfare become hard and firm as the auto tires rolled over it. It was almost as smooth as asphalt, and the travelers were congratulating themselves on having made a wise choice.
All at once the rain, which had been coming down in torrents, seemed to let up.
"No, it's because we've run into a dense forest, and the trees above keep the rain off," spoke the professor.
The others looked about them and saw that this was so. On every side the glare of the lamps showed big trunks and leafy branches, while ahead more trees could be observed.
"Why it's just like a tunnel in the woods," said Bob. "See, the trees seem to meet in an arch overhead."
"And what a fine road it is," put in Ned.
"An altogether strange sort of road," agreed Jerry. "Suppose we stop and look about before we go any further? I don't like the looks of it."
Accordingly the machine was brought to a halt, and the travelers alighted. They found it just as Bob had said, almost exactly like an immense tunnel in the forest. Beneath their feet the road was of the finest Macadam construction.
"And to think of finding this in the midst of Texas," observed Jerry.
"Some one built this road, and cut the trees to make this tunnel," remarked the professor. "I wonder what sort of a place we have stumbled into."
"At all events it doesn't rain anything to speak of in here," said Bob, "and it's a good place to stay until the storm is over."
Jerry, in the meanwhile had walked on ahead some distance. In a few minutes he came hurrying back. His manner showed that he had seen something.
"Don't make any noise, but follow me," replied the lad.
In silence, and wondering what was about to happen, Bob, Ned and the scientist trailed after Jerry. He led them several hundred feet ahead of the automobile, and away from the glare of the lamps, the tunnel curving somewhat.
There, about three hundred feet to the left of the main road and on a sort of side path, the travelers saw a small hut, brilliantly lighted up. Through an open window, a room could be seen, and several figures moving about in it.