So they kept on. But it was evident that Natalie was not in that part of the woods. After some difficulty the three bands of searchers got together again, Jack, his sister and Mrs. Bonnell having wandered into a sort of swamp, where the water oozed over their shoes. They were wet, tired and miserable.
“We—we can’t find her!” faltered Marie.
“Oh, where can she be?” murmured Mabel.
“Now, there’s no use worrying,” insisted Blake.
“But, we can’t help it,” said his sister.
“We just must, girls,” declared Mrs. Bonnell in firm tones. “We must not worry!”
“But, poor Natalie!” cried Alice.
“Be sensible,” ordered the Guardian. “She is well and strong, and able to take care of herself. Something may have unavoidably detained her, and——”
“But, where did she go? Where could she stay after dark?” Marie wanted to know.
“We can’t tell. Certainly we will have to find her. Perhaps we had better go back to camp and summon help,” suggested Mrs. Bonnell.