The boy was exceedingly
depressed, and I did my best to persuade him that all would end well
and his brother would be rescued.
"But he may be dead, or dying," he answered to my arguments.
"No; that is improbable. Had he been killed, the Indians would have
taken particular pains to mutilate and place his body where the
passing column would have seen it. That in itself is good evidence
that he is living. The worst that is likely to happen is that he may
be held for ransom or exchange."
"But how _can_ I wait?" exclaimed Frank. "I feel as though I ought to
start now."
"That would do no good," I replied. "You cannot find your brother's
trail, nor could you follow it in the night."
"I cannot help thinking, sir, that Henry will send Vicky with a
message, and I fear that she cannot follow us so far. She must be
fearfully hungry and thirsty. I feel as if I ought to go and meet
her."
"You may be right about the message. As Vic was without her collar,
she may not have been killed."
The hours crept slowly on. The uneasy animals never ceased their walk
backward and forward between the water and the wagons, uttering their
discontent.
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