IX
THE RESCUING PARTY
At the close of the consultation I rejoined Corporal Frank, and we went back to our former seat under the cliff. The boy was exceedingly depressed, and I did my best to persuade him that all would end well and his brother would be rescued.
"But he may be dead, or dying," he answered to my arguments.
"No; that is improbable. Had he been killed, the Indians would have taken particular pains to mutilate and place his body where the passing column would have seen it. That in itself is good evidence that he is living. The worst that is likely to happen is that he may be held for ransom or exchange."
"But how can I wait?" exclaimed Frank. "I feel as though I ought to start now."
"That would do no good," I replied. "You cannot find your brother's trail, nor could you follow it in the night."
"I cannot help thinking, sir, that Henry will send Vicky with a message, and I fear that she cannot follow us so far. She must be fearfully hungry and thirsty. I feel as if I ought to go and meet her."
"You may be right about the message. As Vic was without her collar, she may not have been killed."