Meantime, all the men in the little village were out searching for Christopher. One party explored the woods, and another searched the banks of the stream up and down. David was with the party, and about a quarter of a mile above the school-house, he found a handkerchief belonging to his little cousin. David groaned at the sight, and hid his face in his hands.
"I am afraid he did go in swimming, after all, and if he did, this is all we shall ever see of him," said he.
"But Osric says he started for home through the woods," said one of the large boys.
"Osric didn't tell the truth," replied David. "I don't know what the truth is, but I know he didn't tell it. Oh, poor Aunt Celia!"
"Don't give up," said John Lee. "This handkerchief may have been left here before. You know the little boys like to play up and down the creek. Let us go back and see if any news has come from the woods. My! What a flash that was! I am afraid we are going to have a great storm. It's not a good night to be out in."
"The wind is rising too," said David. "Oh what will become of that poor little child?"
"We'll give that Osric a lesson, anyhow!" said John Lee. "The little rascal! He is always in some mischief or other! Won't he catch it from Miss Hilliard, though?"
A furious gust of wind now came tearing down the valley, bending the trees and snapping the branches, and the lightning flashed incessantly on every side. The scouting-party hastened to get out of the woods as quickly as possible. It was evident, even to David, that nothing could be done till the storm was over.
Jeduthun Cooke had been one of the most active of the scouters, and he came home wearied and wet enough, to find that Keziah had provided him with a hot supper, and laid out dry clothes all ready for him. He changed his wet garments, drank a cup of coffee, and then threw himself on the bed to catch a little sleep. He had not slept, as it seemed to him, more than five minutes, when he was wakened by Keziah:
"'Duthun! I say, 'Duthun! Nobody has thought of looking in the vault!"