Harry gave another loud cooey; again a distant answer was heard.
“Why, that must be behind us,” said Harry; “it comes from the edge of the scrub.”
They had by this time made their way into the interior. Bruce, on hearing the second cooey, pricked up his ears and bounded forward. They turned back, guided by Rob’s voice, and casting the light of their lanterns about, they at length saw Rob standing up, with Tommy and Edgar lying down near him.
“Oh, I am so thankful you have come!” exclaimed Rob. “Have you found Effie and Albert?”
The question alarmed Mr Hayward and the other boys.
“No; what has become of them?” asked Harry.
“We lost sight of them all of a sudden, and though we hunted about, we have not seen them since; and then we could not find our way home in the dark.”
Mr Hayward saw that there was no use in scolding poor Rob, who was already dreadfully alarmed, and fully conscious that he was to blame for the loss of the two children. Tommy and Edgar, who had dropped off soundly asleep from fatigue, were now awakened.
“I will continue the search for the other children,” said Mr Hayward, turning to the boys; “but the rest had better return with Rob and the little ones. If I do not soon come back with the children, follow in this direction in the morning with Bendigo and Betty, who will assist in tracing them out better than we can. Do not alarm your mothers more than is necessary, and assure them that I have little doubt but that we shall find the truants. I will take Bruce with me.”
“Go, good dog—go!” said Harry, patting him on the head.