tlement, was reached late
in the day, without any further incident, and their dangers for the
present were ended. To the unbounded surprise of all, they learned that
Lewis Dernor and Edith had not arrived, and there had been nothing
heard of them.

This caused the most painful apprehension with all, for they knew well
enough that they would have been in several hours ahead of them, had
not something unusual prevented. They could imagine but one
cause--Indians!

The settlers commenced their labors at once. Trees were felled, and the
foundations of strong, substantial cabins laid, ground was cleared and
prepared to receive the seed, while the garrison of the block-house was
strengthened, and the condition of the settlement improved by every
means at their command.

Lewis had left a request with the emigrants, upon taking Edith from
them, that the Riflemen should await his return at this settlement, and
they accordingly remained. Two days passed without his coming in, when
the anxiety of Edith's friends became so great, that it was determined
to form a party to go in quest of her; but, upon mentioning the resolve
to O'Hara, he strenuously opposed it, affirming that a large party
could accomplish nothing at all, save to get themselves in trouble. In
this opinion he was joined by several of the more experienced, and as a
consequence, the scheme was abandoned. O'Hara then expressed the
intention of taking a companion and going in search of them himself.
The companion he chose was Dick Allmat.

Sego took an active interest in these proceedings, but as yet had not
heard the name of Edith Sudbury mentioned. Indeed, none knew that name
except her immediate friends, who heeded the request which Lewis had
made, that it should be kept a secret. Thus it happened that he
entertained not the slightest suspicion of the true state of the case.
Had he known it, nothing could have hindered him from hurrying forth at
once to the rescue.

O'Hara and Dick left the settlement one day about noon, and struck off
in the woods toward the creek where the affray with the Shawnees had
occurred. It was their design to take the trail, if possible, and
follow it up until they discovered a clue to the unaccountable state of
affairs. On reaching the creek, however, they were chagrined to find
their fears realized. The storm which we have mentioned as succeeding
the departure of Lewis and Edith, had completely obliterated all traces
of their footste