"It's going to be very cold. You must go to look for them!" And
the old Squire agreed with her.
Just as we finished supper Thomas Edwards, Kate's brother, came in with
a lantern, to ask whether Kate was there; and without much further delay
we four boys set off. Addison took his gun and Halstead another lantern.
We were not much worried about the girls; indeed, we expected to meet
them on their way home. When we reached Dunham's open, however, and got
no answer to our shouts, we became anxious.
At last we found their tracks leading up the winter road to Adger's
camp, and we hurried along the old trail.
We had not gone more than half a mile when Tom, who was ahead, suddenly
cried, "Hark! I heard some one calling!"
We stopped to listen; and after a moment or two we all heard a distant
cry.
"That's Kate!" Tom muttered. "Something's the matter with them, sure!"
We started to run, but soon heard the same cry again, followed by
indistinct words.
"What's the matter?" Tom shouted.
Again we heard their calls, but could not make out what they were trying
to say. We were pretty sure now that the girls were at the old lumber
camp; and hastening on to the top of the ridge that sloped down toward
the brook, we all shouted loudly.
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