“No, of course not,” comforted Grace.
“Then where is he?”
“Probably asleep somewhere about,” suggested Emma. “You know he and Stacy have the sleep habit.”
“I don’t believe it. I am going out to search for him.”
“Nora, you will not!” differed Grace with emphasis. “We will all remain where we are. To get separated would be foolish. Hippy is all right, so sit down and chat with us. Mr. White will be along soon, and some others besides Emma Dean will be glad to see him,” she added, with a teasing glance at Emma.
The Overland girls ate a cold supper that night, no one feeling like cooking or sitting down to a hearty meal. Nora was so worried that she refused to eat at all, and, while the other girls were equally disturbed, they masked their real feelings by teasing each other. Emma and Stacy were ragged unmercifully.
Darkness settled over the forest, but still no Hippy, no guide.
“I think it will be advisable to bring in the horses, don’t you, Elfreda?” asked Grace.
Miss Briggs and the others thought that would be a wise move, so the ponies, and such of their equipment as was outside the camp, were brought in; fuel was gathered and piled up so that they might keep the fire burning; then the party sat down in their tents, with blankets thrown over their shoulders, and began their watch.
It was ten o’clock that night when the hail of Ham White was heard, and after the tension of the last few hours the Overland girls felt like screaming a welcome. Instead they sprang out and stood awaiting him.