CHAPTER XII A SEARCH FOR RENE
"He was gone when I woke up," called Jack, who had been dressing rapidly.He came out of the tent and began looking about the wagon, tent, andsurrounding woods in the persistent fashion of people, who, under likecircumstances, feel that although search is useless, action of some kindis an immediate necessity.
"What ever shall we do?" whispered Desire, tears streaming down hercheeks, when Jack returned from a fruitless search of the nearby places.
"Don't get excited, dear," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders."He could have come to no harm, and I'll find him all right."
"But you must have help. Oh, I wish we were near the Riboux family!"
"We'll drive back into the town to make inquiry, and then see what can bedone. I know he's not around here; for I've searched everywhere."
"The--the brook?" faltered Desire.
"Yes, I rather thought I might find him playing there. He enjoyed it somuch last night," he added, with a feeble effort at a smile, "but there'sno sign of him. Anyway, the water's not deep enough to drown a dog, muchless a hearty youngster."
"Jack--the Indians--"
"Now, Desire, don't let your imagination run away with you. They'reperfectly harmless."
"What I mean is, could Renny be with them?"
"The camp's gone. They must have pulled out at daybreak--"
"Well, but he may have followed them," persisted Desire. "You know howwild he was to go over there last night."
"It's a possibility," replied Jack, thoughtfully. "Probably you're right.If so, he is perfectly safe; and I'll find out in town how to reach them.We'd better eat, and then drive back."
They roused Priscilla, who began to cry as soon as she heard of herbrother's disappearance, and continued until Jack said gravely--
"Don't make matters worse, Prissy; you can help by being cheerful. Nevercry until you're _sure_ there is something to cry about. It's a waste ofgood energy."
"Now for town," he continued, as they at last climbed into the wagonwhich seemed strangely empty without the little boy. Jack was assuming aforced cheeriness, which he was far from feeling; for in spite of hisadvice to Desire, he was consumed with anxiety. He felt relieved, now, atthe outcome of the "punishment" last night; if Rene _had_ minded, theymight think he had run away. But perhaps he had been wrong in adoptingthis kind of a life, with the children. If anything happened to them!
He was interrupted by hearing Desire say--
"Prissy, you sit in the back of the wagon and keep watch on the road tosee if you can discover any traces of Rene."
"Jack, dear," she went on softly, as they drove into Bear River again,"please don't blame yourself for what has happened. It surely wasn't yourfault, or anybody's for that matter. He might have wandered off, even ifwe'd been at home; and I feel sure he is safe with the Indians."
"You're a comfort, Dissy," replied her brother, managing a half smile.
In front of the post office stood the very man who had given them theinformation concerning the Indians' pilgrimage, on the preceding day;and, pulling up, Jack told him in a few words what had happened.
"Now that's too bad," replied the man with genuine concern, resting onefoot on the wheel hub; "if I was you--"
"Is it far to the Island of the Holy Family?" interrupted Desire.
"Oh, yes; and come to think on't, I don't suppose that band was goin'there anyhow; they'd not get there in time. They're probably on their wayback to the reservation."
"Then where could we look for them?" questioned Jack, his heart sinkingat the destruction of their hopes.
"If I was you, I'd keep right along this road toward Annapolis Royal, andperhaps you'll catch up with them. They don't travel fast, and you couldask in every town if they'd been through. There's no real cause for youto worry, friends, for the little chap will be well treated. The Indianslike little folks."
Jack looked at Desire.
"It's good advice, don't you think?" she asked.
"Perhaps," he replied doubtfully, turning the team around, and thankingthe man for his help.
"Good luck to you," he called, as they started off; and Priscilla,leaning out of the back of the wagon, waved a goodbye.
All day long they drove, almost in silence, stopping only for a hurriedlunch. Toward evening, when the hills had turned to red purple, theydrove across a quaint covered bridge--that is, one which has a roof andsolid sides of wood, like a house--over a stream whose sparkling, merrywater was as yellow as gold from the reflection of the setting sun.
"I'm awfully hungry," sighed Priscilla.
"I was just going to propose that we stop under these oaks for supper,"said Desire. "We can't live without eating."