"Shall I try that other road?"
"You can if you wish. I'll stay here. If they come back, we can wait for you," added the oldest Rover.
Once more Tom set off. But he had pushed his horse so fast before the animal was now tired and had to take his time in traveling.
The third road led down to the river front, and before a great while the water's edge was reached. Here there were numerous bushes and trees and the road turned and ran some distance along the bank.
"Well, I'm stumped and no mistake," murmured the fun-loving Rover, "I felt sure—"
He broke off short, for a distance scream had reached his ears.
"Was that Nellie's voice?" he asked himself, and then strained his ears, for two more screams had reached him. "Nellie, and Dora too, as sure as fate!" he ejaculated. "Something has happened to them! Perhaps those horses are running away!"
He hardly knew how to turn, for the trees and bushes cut off his view upon every side. He galloped along the road, which followed the windings of the Ohio. But try his best he could locate neither girls nor horses.
It was maddening, and the cold sweat stood out upon Tom's forehead.
Something was very much wrong, but what was it?
"Nellie! Dora! Where are you?" he called out. "Where are you?"