Early as it was when they arrived there, they found the cabin deserted by all save Dan, who sat on the bench by the door.

David was hastening through the woods toward his father's camp, intent on finding the pointer, and Mrs.Evans had gone to her daily labor.
"He's just went over to the General's house, Dave has," said Dan, in reply to a question from Lester; and he thought he told the truth, for we know that David went in that direction on purpose to mislead his brother.

"Yes, he's went up thar, an' 'tain't no ways likely that he'll be to hum afore dark." The visitors turned their horses about and rode away, and as soon as they were out of sight of the cabin, they struck into the woods to make one more effort to find David's traps, if he had set any.

But, as usual, they met with no success, and Lester again gave it as his opinion, that David had no intention of trying to trap the quails.
Bob thought so too; but in less than half an hour, they received positive proof that they were mistaken.

They were riding around the rear of one of the General's fields, on their way home, when they happened to cast their eyes through the bushes that lined the fence, and saw something that surprised them greatly, and caused them to draw rein at once.