Nasmyth made a sign of agreement.
“Horribly sore all over, left side particularly. Struck a big boulder, and then drove in among a nest of stones before my senses left me. Tried to get up a while ago, but couldn’t manage it. What’s as much to the purpose, I’m feeling hungry.”
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing left for breakfast. One of us had better go up-stream and look out for the canoes.”
Lisle nodded.
“That’s your duty—I don’t envy you. Make them camp a little higher up. It would be better, in several ways, and I’d rather be on my feet again before they come here.”
Nasmyth set off, jaded and hungry, and he was feeling very limp when, as he plodded along a high ridge, he saw the canoes sliding down the river. He had hard work to reach the bank and he shrank from the task before him when the first canoe grounded upon the stones. Millicent and Bella were in it, and Millicent gazed at the lonely man with fixed, anxious eyes. He was ragged and looked very weary; his face was worn and haggard.
“Where are the rest?” she asked in a strained voice. “Something has happened—what is it?”
“Three of them are some miles down the river.”
“Three!” cried Millicent, in dismay. “Haven’t you found Clarence yet?”