The road was quite unlike that down which they had tramped two days before, on the west side of Kinsman. It was macadamized and full of motors.
"This is one of the through highways from the south to the northern side of the mountains," said the Scout Master. "I fear we've hit it at about the worst time of day, too, because we're only twelve miles from the Profile House, which is the end of the day's run for many cars. Most of 'em seem to be going in that direction."
"I should think they were," said Rob. "My blanket is covered with dust already."
"Gosh, my lungs are covered with dust," said Peanut. "How far have we got to go, dodging these things?"
"Only six miles," the Scout Master answered. "I guess we can stand it that long."
It was getting on toward dark in the Notch (where the sun seems to set much earlier than outside, because of the high western wall) when they reached the Flume House.
"It's too dark to go up into the Flume to camp to-night," Mr. Rogers declared. "Besides, I don't know just where the path up Liberty starts, and we'd better wait for daylight to ask. We'll go up the road a few rods, and camp by some brook close to the road. Then in the morning we can see the Flume and the Basin and all the sights."
