But the woods were so wet, and it was so difficult to find a good trail that they did not make very great progress, and when dawn came they were only a few miles away.

Robert's strength, however, stood the test, and they dared to light a fire and have a warm breakfast.

Much refreshed they plunged on anew, hunting for friends who could not be much more than motes in the wilderness.

Robert hoped that some chance would enable him to meet Willet, to whom he owed so much, and who stood in the place of a father to him.

It did not seem possible that the Great Bear could have fallen in one of the numerous border skirmishes, which must have been fought since his capture.