“Let us look, but don’t disturb Emma and Nora if it can be avoided,” urged Grace.
The two girls, with the guide, repaired to Lieutenant Wingate’s tent, and examined it, using their pocket lamps. It was as Hamilton White had said—there was every evidence that a struggle had taken place there. The fat boy’s hat and his revolver lay where they had been hurled to one side of the tent. His blouse was a yard or so to the rear, and the imprint of his heels where they had been dragged over the ground was plainly visible.
“He must have been asleep,” nodded White.
“Yes,” agreed Grace. “If awake Stacy would have set up such a howl that none could have failed to hear. When do you think this was done, Mr. White?”
“When we were out looking for the lieutenant. If you will remember, Mr. Brown remained behind.”
“Do you think it wise to follow his trail?” asked Grace.
“No. Not now. I dare not leave the camp. All this may be part of a plan. My duty is here, at least until daylight, when I will get into communication with those who will find both men.”
“You think so, Mr. White?” questioned Elfreda anxiously.
“Yes. It is the work of the same gang, but what their motive is we can only surmise. You and Mrs. Gray may know.”
Elfreda felt her face growing hot, and a retort was on her lips, but she suppressed it.
“Mrs. Gray, if you think I should try to run the trail now, I will do so, but it would be against my judgment. I hope you do not insist,” said White, turning to Grace.
“I believe you are right,” answered Grace. “Come, Elfreda, we will go to our tent, for no serious harm can come either to Hippy or Stacy. They dare not harm them.”
Ham White did not reply. He knew the character of the men who committed that piece of banditry, and knew that they would hesitate at no crime to gain their ends, whatever those ends might be.
The guide got no sleep that night. Mindful of the attacks that had been made on the camp, he took up his position at a distance, and, with rifle in hand, sat motionless the rest of the night. From his position in the deep shadows he commanded a view of the entire camp, which was dimly lighted by the campfire all night long.
There were occasional sounds that Ham White did not believe were made by marauding animals, but none were definite enough to warrant exposing his position. During his vigil nothing occurred to disturb the sleepers.