He may have crossed." "The black fellows may have found him," suggested Mrs.Buckley.
"They would have been here before now to tell us, if they had, I am afraid," said Captain Brentwood.

"Let us hope they may have got him; however, we had better start at once.

Two of us may search the river between this and the hut, and two may follow it towards the Mayfords'.
Sam, you have the best horse; go down to the hut, and see if you can find any trace across the river, on this side, and follow it up to the ranges.

Take some one with you, and, by-thebye, take your dog Rover." They were all quickly on the alert.

Sam was going to ask Jim to come with him; but as he was putting the saddle on Widderin he felt a hand on his arm, and, turning, saw Cecil Mayford.
"Sam Buckley," said Cecil, "let me ride with you; will you ?" "Who sooner, old friend ?" answered Sam heartily: "let us come together by all means, and if we are to go to the ranges, we had better take a blanket a-piece, and a wedge of damper.