CHAPTER XXI
KOBUK
Boreland and Kayak Bill searched the beach below the cabin for footprints while Harlan took the trail across the Island toward his Hut. Ellen and her sister hoping that the boy had returned during their absence, ran home to look into every nook and corner. . . . The silence drove them once more into the open.
Ellen, her throat tightening with unshed tears, stood on the porch and called:
"L-o-l-l-i-e! . . . S-o-n!"
The only answer was the mocking cry of a gull floating high in the sunlight. . . .
Boreland came hurriedly up the trail from the beach.
"There are no tracks in the sand toward Sunset Point, El, but Kayak is going along Skeleton Rib toward the cliffs."
At the stricken look in the mother's face, Jean turned quickly to her brother-in-law.
"He must have found Kobuk and gone off adventuring again, Shane. . . . But he can't have gone far with the dog so crippled. Perhaps he's picking flowers," she suggested hopefully.