He were never on the trails, and he'd sure be forgettin' to take un." "Let us hope he has them," Doctor Joe encouraged.

"If he has matches I'm sure he'll be safe enough." "'Twere my fault he were gettin' lost," said Seth.

"He'd never been gettin' lost if I'd only kept he in sight the way you said to do." "No," objected Doctor Joe, "we'll not say it was anybody's fault." Presently they were ready.

Seth and Micah were detailed to remain in camp, and the others set forth, David and Doctor Joe carrying their rifles.
In much the same manner as that adopted in the search for the rock the previous day, Doctor Joe and the boys spread out on the left, or westward, side of the brook.

Now, however, they were much closer together, because they could see so short a distance through the snow.
Walking was much harder, and their progress correspondingly slower.
Thus they continued to the farthest point reached before turning back the previous day, David or Doctor Joe now and again firing shots from their rifles.