Was it worth while to call out again? Surely if Sandy had been within half a mile of him he must have heard that last shout!
Puzzled, and sorely distressed, Bob hardly knew what to do. He even looked again into the hollow tree, as though in that way he might receive an answer to his question as to what had become of his brother.
And he did.
For, when he looked down, he saw that there had gathered quite a quantity of dead wood within the cavity. It had not dried out since the last rain, some time before, which must have driven into the cleft. And plainly he could see marks there that must have been made by Sandy!
This gave him an idea, and he wondered why he had not thought of it before. Of what use was his forest training if he could not ascertain whether Sandy had issued from the tree before, or after, the fire?
Down he dropped on his hands and knees. The very first thing he discovered was the positive impression made by one of his brother's new moccasins, given to him by Colonel Boone before the great hunter had said good-bye.
It was plainly made after the fire had passed, of that Bob felt certain; and the fact gave him the keenest of pleasure, since it assured him of Sandy's having passed through the siege unharmed.
But why had he not answered his shouts? Where could he have wandered to, that he failed to hear a far-reaching hail, such as the strong lungs of his brother had sent sounding through the forest?
Bob began to follow the footprints. At least Sandy must have intended to seek him, for he had commenced to chase after the fire.
"Oh!" gasped the boy, suddenly coming to a stop, and gazing in alarm at some new marks that met his eyes.