They soon came to the opening down which Dave had been shoved. But here nothing greeted their eyes which looked suspicious.
“It’s possible he may have slipped down into just such a hole as that,” remarked Roger.
“But why should he? No fellow would do it with his eyes wide open,” said Ben.
“But it was night-time,” suggested Shadow.
“That’s true; but it was moonlight. And besides, if Dave slipped into any place like that, I’ll bet he would soon pull himself out.”
There seemed nothing more to do, and with hearts that were heavier than ever they returned to their quarters.
On the following day Phil went out on an errand which took him past the infantry command to which Gebauer and Nat Poole belonged. He saw Nat sitting on a fallen tree. The money lender’s son looked anything but cheerful. Phil at first thought of passing the young soldier, but suddenly wheeled around.
“Hello, Nat!” he called out, as pleasantly as he could.
“Hello, yourself!” was the surly response.
“Say, Nat, have you heard the news about Dave Porter?” questioned Phil.