"Run back, Cologne, and meet the boys," said Dorothy. "Tell them to go for a doctor!"
Glad to get away, Cologne turned, just as the boys came racing over the hill. They stopped, at her raised hand of warning, but Nat would not go back when he heard that Tavia had been found. Softly he made his way along, Ralph following at some distance, while Ned and Jack hurried to the shore near where they had left their boats. They knew that just across the river they would find a camp, in which might be found Dr. Ashton, from New York.
It was almost pitiable to see how Tavia clung to Dorothy, never suspecting, of course, that Dorothy had herself gone through an experience more trying than her own.
"Let me see her," suggested Dorothy. "I will be very careful."
She stepped within the tent. Instantly she was struck with the resemblance between herself and the girl who lay on the cot.
The sick girl opened her eyes.
"Tavia!" she murmured.
"What, dear?" asked Dorothy, for Tavia had not yet recovered herself.
"I—am so—much better. I would—like to—sit up."
"Not just yet, dear," soothed Dorothy, putting her hand to the hot forehead. "It will be better to rest to-night."