CHAPTER XLV. 



ON THE TRAIL. 



^HATEVER feeling of resentment or impatience might have been enter- 

 tained by our friends toward Dick Brownell soon vanished in the anxiety 

 for his welfare. Sleep was out of the question, until toward morning, when 

 Bob sank into an unquiet slumber that lasted until daylight. 



During the long, dark hours that silence reigned through the camp, Jack Harvey 

 tnd Carl Godkin smoked their pipes and discussed what they could do, if anything, 

 for the absent one. So long as night lasted, they must remain idle, the only re- 

 source being that of heaping fuel on the fire, so that the light should penetrate the 

 gloom as far as possible, and afford a guide to the youth, if so be it was in his 

 power to struggle toward it. 



The course which Jack and Mr. Godkin had decided upon was the natural one 

 that would have suggested itself to any person in their situation. As soon as light 

 came, they would set out to hunt for tne absent lad. 



The party was to consist of the two gentlemen named, Bob Marshall and Pongo, 

 the Bushman, all of whom would be mounted and fully armed. During their 

 absence the camp was to be left in charge of Diedrick and Abdallah, who were not 

 to go away themselves nor allow any of the other natives to do so. 



The director favored leaving Pongo also, but the Texan saw a probable use for 

 him, and fortunately took him along. 



It will be observed that the cowboy had now entered upon a duty similar in 

 many respects to that in which he had been thoroughly trained in his own country. 

 The work of capturing wild animals was suspended for the time, while the four 

 engaged in the hunt for a person, just as he had done when on his Indian cam- 

 paigns in Arizona and New Mexico. 



The attempt was to be made, too, in a country of savages who execrated white 

 men. Though these natives widely differed from the American Indians, there was 

 still a resemblance between them: the struggle might take the turn of a contest be- 

 tween the cunning of the white man and that of the black man. 



While Mr. Godkin and Bob Marshall believed that Dick's absence was due to 

 wild beasts, and while Jack admitted the probabilities pointed that way, he was 

 still hopeful he had fallen into the hands of a company of natives, from whom he 

 could be regained by strategy or force. His own experience with the savages was 

 the main foundation of this hope. Despite the impatience of Bob, Jack would not 

 allow any departure until all had eaten a substantial breakfast and swallowed a 

 cup of strong coffee apiece. It was a principle with him never to enter upon such 

 an enterprise without a hearty meal, if it was possible to secure one. 



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