David.

"No," agreed Doctor Joe, "and there's no reason to suppose that he
crossed it to the other side."

"That's what I thinks," said David. "He's somewheres this side of the
mesh. He'd never cross un. He'd be knowin' there's no mesh between
here and camp."

"He'd know 'twere not the way to camp," declared Andy. "Jamie'd never
be forgettin' that he crosses no mesh comin' from camp however turned
about he is. He'd never be so turned about as that."

"We'll search all the country, then, between this marsh and the
brook," suggested Doctor Joe.

They could not know that Jamie, on the opposite side of the marsh, was
at that moment in a snug shelter, and had been listening to their
rifle shots, and supposing them to be the breaking of dead branches in
the wind. Jamie was too small and too inexperienced to face and
weather the storm on the marsh, unassisted, but Doctor Joe or David or
even Andy might have crossed it. How often it happens that an obstacle
that might be surmounted turns us back at the very door of success!

Wearily they trailed back through the woods, and up and down until
darkness finally forced them to return to camp unsuccessful and heavy
hearted. The younger lads were almost too weary to drag their feet
behind them. They had eaten nothing since their early breakfast, but
Seth and Micah, anxiously watching and hoping, had a hot supper of
fried venison and bread and tea ready, and as soon as they had
finished their meal, Doctor Joe directed that they go to bed and rest.

Long before daybreak Doctor Joe was stirring. He lighted the fire, and
when the kettle boiled roused David. Breakfast was ready when Andy
awoke.

"Is you startin' so early?" he asked, rubbing his eyes. "'Tis
wonderful early. We can't see to travel till light with snow fallin'."

"Clear and fine outside!" said Doctor Joe, "I'm not satisfied that
Jamie didn't cross the marsh. It's likely to be a long hard tramp and
David and I are going alone this morning because we can travel faster.
If we don't find Jamie by noon we'll come back after you and the other
lads. You'll be fresh and rested then for the afternoon's search. We
can't give it up till we find Jamie."

"I'd be keepin' up with you," protested Andy.

"If you go we'll have to take some of the others," objected Doctor
Joe. "The snow is deep and they'll not be able to travel as fast as we
shall. Let us go alone and if we need you we'll come for you."

And so it was arranged.