"That's strange, and I must say I don't like it."
"Oh, I guess they'll show up before a great while," answered Fred. "They couldn't travel very well in the dark. If they tried it, they'd be sure to get lost."
Once more, they unpacked the provisions they had brought along and made a leisurely break-fast. Then they packed their things again and waited.
"I am going up to the top of a tree and take another look around," announced Tom about ten o'clock. He could scarcely stand the suspense.
"I'll do the same," said Songbird, and soon they were in the top of a tall tree and gazing axiously in the direction of Red Rock ranch.
The place looked to be deserted.
"Not a sign of Dick and Sam anywhere," said the fun-loving Rover.
For reply, Songbird hummed softly to himself:
"The woods and plains are everywhere,
But for those things we do not care.
In every nook and every place
We look for a familiar face.
What has become of those we cherish?
Are they alive, or did they perish?"
"Don't go on that way, Songbird, you give a fellow the blues," cried
Tom. "If I thought Dick and Sam had perished—"