"Boys," the pencilled scrawl began. "I'm off with Chip. We got some grub along, and a pair of blankets. Chip thinks we can follow Murky. I just got to go along, too. Paul. P.S. Don't worry."
Nels' wife was fishing out a blanket from a scant pile of bedding in one corner, and held it out, saying:
"He says wrong, sir. They ain't got but one blanket; for Mr. Paul he–offered us one of the two he had. I wouldn't take it but he piled it with the things folks brought in. Then they both hurried off."
"Ve nefer see dat blanket," began Nels. "No. He done left it. Mein frau, she find it v'en day bane gone."
The situation now looked more grave to the boys than ever. Little was said, however. Even Dave would only commit himself so far as to ejaculate:
"Paul always was a fool!"
But this was said in no animadversive sense. It was wholly sympathetic, even while Dave might have disapproved. Finding there was nothing more to be done for Nels they were about to leave when Anderson, who had been whispering with his wife, suddenly announced:
"I bane go mit you. I know de woods. I lif in de woods. I go mit you!"
"It won't do, Nels," remonstrated Worth. "You ain't fit. You're needed more here."
"How did you know we were going after Paul and Chip?" asked Phil.