The memory of his own loss was never very long absent from his mind, and Miss Betty had been the victim of a similarly sinister tragedy.

He recalled those first awful days of loneliness through which he had lived, when there was no Uncle Bob--soft-voiced, smiling and infinitely companionable.
"Why, Hannibal, you are crying--what about, dear ?" asked Betty suddenly.
"No, ma'am; I ain't crying," said Hannibal stoutly, but his wet lashes gave the lie to his words.
"Are you homesick--do you wish to go back to the judge and Mr.Mahaffy ?" "No, ma'am--it ain't that--I was just thinking--" "Thinking about what, dear ?" "About my Uncle Bob." The small face was very wistful.
"Oh--and you still miss him so much, Hannibal ?" "I bet I do--I reckon anybody who knew Uncle Bob would never get over missing him; they just couldn't, Miss Betty! The judge is mighty kind, and so is Mr.Mahaffy--they're awful kind, Miss Betty, and it seems like they get kinder all the time--but with Uncle Bob, when he liked you, he just laid himself out to let you know it!" "That does make a great difference, doesn't it ?" agreed Betty sadly, and two piteous tearful eyes were bent upon him.
"Don't you reckon if Uncle Bob is alive, like the judge says, and he's ever going to find me, he had ought to be here by now ?" continued Hannibal anxiously.
"But it hasn't been such a great while, Hannibal; it's only that so much has happened to you.

If he was very badly hurt it may have been weeks before he could travel; and then when he could, perhaps he went back to that tavern to try to learn what had become of you.

But we may be quite certain he will never abandon his search until he has made every possible effort to find you, dear! That means he will sooner or later come to west Tennessee, for there will always be the hope that you have found your way here." "Sometimes I get mighty tired waiting, Miss Betty," confessed the boy.
"Seems like I just couldn't wait no longer." He sighed gently, and then his face cleared.

"You reckon he'll come most any time, don't you, Miss Betty ?" "Yes, Hannibal; any day or hour!" "Whoop!" muttered Hannibal softly under his breath.