"He'd not be takin' time to go pilin' up stones that way." "He piles un to pilot us when we comes huntin' he," suggested David.
They took the next direction, and in due time discovered the round rock, the top of which they likewise cleared of snow that they might make quite certain it was the rock for which they were searching.
Then, in due time, Jamie's second pile of rocks and finally the birch tree were located.
At the birch tree all clues were lost.

Vainly they circled the surrounding country, firing rifles occasionally until they came to the edge of the marsh.
"We'd never be findin' he on the mesh, if he gets out there," suggested David.
"No," agreed Doctor Joe, "and there's no reason to suppose that he crossed it to the other side." "That's what I thinks," said David.

"He's somewheres this side of the mesh.

He'd never cross un.

He'd be knowin' there's no mesh between here and camp." "He'd know 'twere not the way to camp," declared Andy.