However, there was nothing to be done except to wait until morning before pushing their search for him further.

The camp was well guarded that night, but nothing occurred to disturb them.
Shortly after daylight a systematic search was begun for Tom Gray's camp, the Overlanders separating and going out for individual search, keeping the landmarks near their own camp well in mind.
It was Elfreda Briggs who made the discovery.

She called to Grace, who was near by, to come to her.

Grace uttered an exclamation as she ran up to Miss Briggs, who stood pointing to a little tent nestling at the base of a rocky peak.
"Is that Tom's tent ?" asked Elfreda.
"No, but we will have a look at it." The two girls ran eagerly to the little tent, proceeding more cautiously as they came up to it.

The blankets, they found, were rolled neatly, and a pair of boots stood in one corner, while some clothing hung from hooks on a tent-pole.
"This _is_ Tom's tent.