CHAPTER XVII
THE SEARCHING PARTY
"I know something has happened to Cora," Hazel was lamenting, "and I am afraid we have lost good time in not going with the boys. Let us get ready at once. Here Bess and Belle, you take these lanterns, Nettie carry matches—and take a strong mountain stick, and—"
"Oh, mercy!" exclaimed Belle, in terror, "why should we need a strong stick!"
"To make our way with," replied the practical Hazel. "It is not easy to get about in woods on a dark night like this," and she gave a look at the lights to make sure they were all right. "The boys were to send word here, or to leave word with Ben if they found her. Now let's hurry."
It was a sad little party that started off from Camp Cozy. When, that evening, according to the note Cora had left on the hanging lamp, she did not appear, for some little time, there was scarcely any anxiety. Cora was so reliable, and of course they could conjecture a dozen things that might have detained her. But when an hour passed, and she then was not to be found, Jack jumped up, Ed and Walter followed, and as they hurried off, left the word that through Ben, or by message to camp, they would report to the girls.
Now another whole hour had passed, and there was no message.
"Which way shall we go—?" asked tenderhearted Bess.
"To the landing first," Hazel replied. She was always leader in
Cora's absence.
This was but a short way from the camp. At the landing stood Ben with his faithful lantern.