houghts surged through his mind. He came to
himself with a start, and was surprised to see that the Colonel had
left him, and was with Davidson at the door of his own house. He
hurried after him, and entered the house just as the bereaved father
dropped upon a seat near the table, and buried his face in his hands.
He went to his side and laid a hand upon his shoulder.

"I will find Jean," he said. "Don't get too much discouraged."

"You will find Jean?" the Colonel eagerly asked. "Have you any idea
where she is?"

"I do not know, but Pete and I will find her."

At these words Old Mammy lifted her bowed head. She had been swaying
to and fro, and moaning in the most doleful manner.

"Oh, Mistah Dane, find Missie Jean," she pleaded. "Bring back my sweet
lamb. I'se 'fraid de Injuns or bears has toted her off. Oh! oh! oh!
What will I do wifout my darlin' chile!"

"We will find her, Mammy, never fear," Dane comforted. "Get some food
ready, and Pete and I will begin the search at once."

"I'll have it ready fo' yo' in a jiffy, Mistah Dane," and the old woman
toddled to her feet. "I'se been cookin' all day fo' I knew de men
would come back wif big ap'tites. I'll put up 'nuff to las' yo' fo' a
week."

In another minute the faithful servant was busy filling a capacious
basket with the good things she had stored away in the cupboard. Dane
turned to Davidson, who had been talking with the Colonel.

"Where is Pete?" he asked. "I have not seen him since coming back."

"He is down on the shore," was the reply. "He went there as soon as he
heard the news, and has been there ever since."

Dane walked to the door and looked out. Down among the trees he saw
the Indian, moving slowly around, with eyes intent upon the ground.
Leaving the house, Dane hurried across the open, and he had almost
reached the native when the latter dropped upon his hands and knees,
and examined something he had just discovered.

"Have you found anything?" Dane asked.

"A-ha-ha," Pete replied, lifting his head, and holding forth a tiny
shred of cloth.

Dane seized it and examined it most carefully, while his heart gave a
great bound.

"It is a piece of Jean's dress!" he exclaimed. "I would know it among
a thousand. Where did you find it?"

"On dat," and the Indian laid his hand upon a sharp-pointed prong which
jutted out from the great root of a fallen tree. "White woman carried
off, eh?"

"It seems like it, Pete. Her dress