"At the beginning of this journey, as well as those we have taken before, it was agreed between us that when one strays away or gets separated from the party, the Overlanders were to go into camp at or as near the point of separation as possible, and wait there a reasonable time for the return of the absent one. That is what I should suggest doing in the present instance," offered Grace.
"Make camp right here?" asked Anne.
"Yes."
"Yes, but are we not going to try to find my Hippy?" begged Nora.
"I think it advisable to wait a reasonable time, so, with the approval of you folks, I will tell Washington to make camp."
This the girls agreed to, though Nora was for setting out in search of her husband at once. That, too, was what Grace Harlowe would have liked to do, but she believed it would be better for them to remain where they were for the time being.
"Couldn't you follow the trail of those men?" asked Nora.
"I did up to the point where they rode into a stream to throw off pursuers, just as we did last night. Of course they had to leave the stream somewhere, but the probabilities are that they were sharp enough not to leave a plain trail where they came out. For instance, they could easily dismount their prisoner on a rocky footing where no trail would be left, carry him on and secrete him, then have one of their party ride the horses in another direction. Don't you see where that would leave us?"
"Oh, yes, I do," moaned Nora. "My wheels are all turning the wrong way. Don't mind me."
"We won't," promised Emma.