"I believe now that the blazes were intended for us," answered Tom, his brow wrinkling in perplexity. "It is very strange."
"Why worry?" spoke up Hippy. "We are being led, but what's the odds who is doing the leading so long as we are led?"
"Pure logic," observed Miss Briggs.
"From an illogical source," added Emma in an undertone.
They proceeded along the lumber road for fully ten miles, fording two streams, then halting at a sawmill on the banks of a river. The mill had not yet started operations. Tom got off and looked the property over, consulted his map, then the journey was resumed. Just beyond the mill they came upon another of the now familiar blazes, directing them to proceed to the right and follow the river bank.
"The blazer fellow evidently knows where we wish to go. Do you know where we are, Mrs. Shafto?" called Tom.
"Yes, I know now. It's the Little Big Branch River, though it ain't much of a river yit. We got a long ways to go before we git to the place where ye folks are goin' to hang out for a spell. I reckon we'd better make camp just before daylight."
No one offered objection to her proposal. All were weary and cold, as well as hungry and sleepy. Emma was swaying in her saddle, frequently catching herself napping and straightening up just in time to prevent falling from her horse, while the others, noses and lips blue, shivered and made no effort to control the chattering of their teeth.
"Oh, why was I ever induced to leave my happy home?" wailed Anne. "This is the worst of all."
Nothing more was heard from any of them until Joe Shafto finally announced that they had reached the end of their night's journey.