“Hark!”

The single word “Dollie!” rang through the arches of the woods.  They recognized the voice as that of the superintendent, who was hurrying over the path they had left, and who was not far away.  In fact, Hugh held the lantern in front of him so as to hide its rays.

“I am sorry for him,” he said, “but we don’t want him with us.”

“It cannot be,” remarked Tom, after they had struggled further, “that she has gone as far as this; Nero must be off the track.”

At this moment the dog emitted a low, baying whine that would have startled any one had he not known its meaning.  It was the signal which the remarkable animal always gave when close to the end of a trail.

“We shall soon know the worst,” said Hugh, crashing through the wood with such haste that Tom had to hurry almost into a trot to save himself from dropping behind.

The singular call of the dog was heard again.  He wanted his friends to move faster.  It came from a point slightly to the left.

“Here he is!” exclaimed Hugh, making a sharp turn and showing more excitement than at any time during the evening.

“I see him!  There he stands!” added Tom, stumbling forward.

With his right hand Hugh raised the lantern above his head, so that its glare was taken from their eyes.  The hound was close to a rock that rose some six or eight feet above the ground, and his nose was pointed toward the base of the black mass.  At the same moment the men saw something dark and light mixed together, like a bundle of clothing.  One bound and Hugh was on his knees, the lamp held even with his forehead while he peered downward and softly drew the clothing aside.  Tom was also stooping low and leaning forward with bated breath.

There lay little Dollie Bradley, sleeping as sweetly as if nestling beside her big brother in the warm bed at home.  She must have wandered through the woods until, worn out, she reached this spot.  Then she had thrown herself on the earth beside the rock and had fallen asleep.  Having lost her hood, her head was without any covering, except her own native hair, which was abundant.  Besides, rugged people do not need to cover their heads while asleep, even in cold weather.

It was fortunate for Dollie that she was so warmly wrapped.  One arm was doubled under her head, and the cheek that rested on it was pushed just enough out of shape to add to her picturesqueness.  Her heavy coat having been buttoned around her body, kept its form and could not have been better arranged.  The chubby legs were covered by thick stockings, and the feet were protected by heavy shoes.  True, she ran much risk in lying upon the cold earth, with nothing between her and the ground, but there was hope that no serious harm would follow.

The rock not only kept off the wind, but screened her from the snow.  It was almost certain that the little one had been asleep several hours.