“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.  “Jamie’d never be forgettin’ that he crosses no mesh comin’ from camp however turned about he is.  He’d never be so turned about as that.”

“We’ll search all the country, then, between this marsh and the brook,” suggested Doctor Joe.

They could not know that Jamie, on the opposite side of the marsh, was at that moment in a snug shelter, and had been listening to their rifle shots, and supposing them to be the breaking of dead branches in the wind.  Jamie was too small and too inexperienced to face and weather the storm on the marsh, unassisted, but Doctor Joe or David or even Andy might have crossed it.  How often it happens that an obstacle that might be surmounted turns us back at the very door of success!

Wearily they trailed back through the woods, and up and down until darkness finally forced them to return to camp unsuccessful and heavy hearted.  The younger lads were almost too weary to drag their feet behind them.  They had eaten nothing since their early breakfast, but Seth and Micah, anxiously watching and hoping, had a hot supper of fried venison and bread and tea ready, and as soon as they had finished their meal, Doctor Joe directed that they go to bed and rest.

Long before daybreak Doctor Joe was stirring.  He lighted the fire, and when the kettle boiled roused David.  Breakfast was ready when Andy awoke.

“Is you startin’ so early?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. “’Tis wonderful early.  We can’t see to travel till light with snow fallin’.”

“Clear and fine outside!” said Doctor Joe, “I’m not satisfied that Jamie didn’t cross the marsh.  It’s likely to be a long hard tramp and David and I are going alone this morning because we can travel faster.  If we don’t find Jamie by noon we’ll come back after you and the other lads.  You’ll be fresh and rested then for the afternoon’s search.  We can’t give it up till we find Jamie.”

“I’d be keepin’ up with you,” protested Andy.

“If you go we’ll have to take some of the others,” objected Doctor Joe.  “The snow is deep and they’ll not be able to travel as fast as we shall.  Let us go alone and if we need you we’ll come for you.”

And so it was arranged.

Presently David and Doctor Joe set forth in the frosty starlit morning.  They turned their steps toward the marsh, and were near its eastern border when David stopped and sniffed the air.

“I smell smoke!” he exclaimed eagerly.

“Are you sure?” asked Doctor Joe, also sniffing.  “I don’t smell it.”

“There’s a smell o’ smoke!” insisted David.  “The wind’s from the west’ard, and the smoke comes from over the mesh.  There’s a fire somewheres over there.”

“Your nose is keener than mine,” said Doctor Joe hopefully.  “Go ahead, Davy.  We’ll see if you really smell smoke.”