“Well, it’s pretty hard to get much idea of direction when you can’t see your hand before your face, but I believe we can follow our trail back provided we can pick it up.”
“I didn’t think of that.”
“You and Helen wait here and I’ll look about a bit and see if I can find it,” and before either could say a word he was gone.
Bob was back in less than ten minutes with the cheering news that he had found the trail and that it was only a little way off.
“We’ll take it easy and be sure and not lose it,” he said as he took hold of Helen’s hand and led the way, Jack bringing up the rear clinging fast to her other hand.
“Here’s where we found your handkerchief,” Bob told her an hour later as he came to a halt and flashed his light on the stump.
“Yes, I managed to get it out and drop it without him knowing it in hopes you might find it.”
“It’s mighty lucky you did,” Bob said. “I’m afraid we would never have picked up your trail if you hadn’t. That fellow must be an artist in going through the woods without leaving a mark.”
“He did seem to be pretty careful. He had a flashlight and kept it on all the time until he saw yours. Then he snapped it off and I guess that’s why he fell.”
“It’s funny we didn’t see his light,” Jack said to Bob.