After a time I began to wonder why Vic had not come to greet me. She had accompanied Henry when he went back with my message, and I knew that if he had returned she would have looked me up immediately. I was about to search for her, when Frank appeared, and asked, "Have you seen my brother?"
"No," I replied, "nor have I seen Vic. They must be with the rear guard."
"No, sir; they are not there. I have just seen the sergeant of the guard."
"Have you visited the Arnolds?"
"Yes, sir; and Miss Brenda says they have not seen him since he came back from you."
"Is not Corporal Henry here?" asked Captain Bayard, who had approached and overheard a part of our conversation.
"No, sir," I answered. "I sent him to you at Carizo to say we had found no water."
"He reported to me," the captain replied, "and I sent him back at once with orders for you to proceed to Lithodendron, as you have done."
"He did not reach me. I came here because it seemed the only thing to do."
"Henry not here!" and the captain and all of us began moving towards the train. "Cause an immediate search to be made for him. Examine every wagon. He may have got into a wagon and fallen asleep."