CHAPTER XIX
WHAT BEFELL POKE AND STEP
It will be recalled that in the division of forces for the search Herman Boyd and the Trojan were detailed to follow the road down the valley, making inquiries at each house and seeking news of the missing Shark and Varley.
This duty they performed conscientiously, but wholly without result.
Nobody had seen or heard anything of the pair. From each house which was provided with a telephone the boys made report to Mrs. Grant and learned from her that seemingly the other hunters were having no better fortune. More than once they were advised to give up their task and accept shelter and refreshment; but they declined the invitations and resumed their march. What is more, they did not restrict themselves to inquiries of the residents, but now and then made a detour toward the river. It was to be observed, as they neared the foot of the valley, that the lowlands were flooded in many places. The boys agreed that their prospects of success were not bright, but neither was willing to turn back.
“We’ll keep on as far as the bridges, anyway,” the Trojan said. “Sam’d expect us to do that much.”
Herman nodded. “He’d keep on, if he were here.”
“Sure he would!”
“Yes, old Sam’s a sticker.”
“Then we’ll be stickers, too: we won’t fail him.”
This decided, they continued their tramp. And while they went splashing and sloshing along the road, which was by no means a poor imitation of a canal in places, Step and Poke, heading in the opposite direction, were having a very similar experience.