"Do let's go and see," implored Theodora; and then Addison and Thomas took brands from the camp-fire and, waving these about, went out cautiously towards the bush clumps. We kept close behind them, Willis with the gun loaded; he was afraid that this was some trick to draw us into an ambush.
But on reaching the hazels, there was nothing to be found, save three round stones as big as a man's fist or bigger, evidently brought there from the bed of the stream, to throw at the cabin.
"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Theodora. "I suppose he has dragged himself away somewheres. I know he was hit by the way he cried out."
"I did not aim right at the bush," said Tom; "but I suppose the gun may have scattered."
"Plague take him!" exclaimed Willis. "I don't much care if he is hit."
"Oh, don't talk so!" cried Ellen.
"No; don't talk so," said Catherine. "If he is hit and has crept away, we must find him if we can."
"Of course," said Addison who was peering about on the ground, "we will do all we can to find him and care for him, if it really was he."
"Halse! Halse!" Tom shouted, as loudly as he could. "Answer, Halse, if you are hurt! We will take care of you!"
There was no reply.