Everyone in the ranch house the next morning was astir long before daybreak. The boys breakfasted at once and were in the saddle just as the sun was rising above the low line of the desert horizon in the far East.
How the girls did wish they, too, might accompany the lads who were to separate, each following a different trail that they might surely find Tom if he were endeavoring to walk to V. M. Each boy was leading a saddle horse, knowing only too well that Tom, after his week of starvation, would be greatly enfeebled. Malcolm advised them all to ride slowly, hallooing often and searching each sand hollow and mesquite clump which they might pass.
“We must make every effort to save poor Tom and the faithful little Mexican boy,” he told them before they parted on the south bank of the dry creek.
The three girls stood on the high back porch watching the lads ride away until one by one they had disappeared, or had become but moving specks in the far distance.
Then they re-entered the ranch house. “It’s much harder to remain at home and do nothing than it is to be actively assisting in the search,” Margaret declared, “but since Malcolm believed that we would better remain here, of course we must abide by his decision.”
“Brother thought that Tom might return to V. M. without having been found by the boys and of course if he does we will wish to be here to welcome him,” Virginia said. A busy morning followed, Virg assisted Uncle Tex with the baking, while the other girls tidied the house. Then, after lunch, they went to their rooms to try to rest, and so weary were they, that in spite of their anxiety, they slept.
It was mid-afternoon when the girls gathered with their sewing in the big cool living-room.
“Barbara, will you go to the kitchen porch and look toward the Seven Peak Trail and see what you can see.”
Babs complied with Virginia’s wish but returned shaking her head.
“I looked through the glass, Virg, in all directions,” she said, “but I saw nothing at all that was moving.”