The girls rushed out of the tent. Bell took in the whole group with
one swift glance, and then turned to her mother, who, like most
mothers, believed the worst at once, and grew paler as she asked:
'Papa, where is little Dick?'
'Dick! Why, my dear, he has not been out with us. What do you
mean?'
'Are you sure you didn't take him?' faltered Aunt Truth.
'Of course I am. Good heavens! Doesn't any one know where the child
is?' looking at the frightened group.
'You know, uncle,' said Geoffrey, 'we started out at three o'clock.
I noticed Dicky playing with his blocks in our tent, and said good-
bye to him. Did you see him when you came back for the cartridges?'
'Certainly I did; he called me to look at his dog making believe go
to sleep in the hammock.'
'We girls went down to the pool soon after that,' said Bell,
tearfully. 'He asked to go with us, and I told him it was too far,
and that he'd better stay with mamma, who would be all alone. He
said "Yes" so sweetly I couldn't mistrust him. Oh, was it my fault,
papa? Please don't say it was!' and she burst into a passion of
sobs.
'No, no, my child, of course it was not. Don't cry; we shall find
him. Go and look about the camp, Geoff, while we consider for a
minute what to do?'
'If there is any fault, it is mine, for going to sleep,' said poor
Aunt Truth; 'but I never dreamed he would dare to wander off alone,
my poor little disobedient darling! What shall we do?'
'Have you spoken to Pancho and Hop Yet?' asked Phil.
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