I think we'd better scatter," said Shif'less Sol, "an' meet here
again when the sun marks noon."

It was agreed, and they took careful note of the place, a little
hill crowned with a thick cluster of black oaks, a landmark easy
to remember. Henry turned toward the south, and the forest was
so dense that in two minutes all his comrades were lost to sight.
He went several miles, and his search was most rigid. He was
amazed to find that the sense of mystery and danger that he
attributed to the darkness of the night did not disappear wholly
in the bright daylight. His spirit, usually so optimistic, was
oppressed by it, and he had no belief that they would find Long
Jim.

At the set time he returned to the little hill crowned with the
black oaks, and as he approached it from one side he saw
Shif'less Sol coming from another. The shiftless one walked
despondently. His gait was loose and shambling-a rare thing with
him, and Henry knew that he, too, had failed. He realized now
that he had not expected anything else. Shif'less Sol shook
his head, sat down on a root and said nothing. Henry sat down,
also, and tile two exchanged a look of discouragement.

"The others will be here directly," said Henry, "and perhaps Long
Jim will be with one of them."

But in his heart he knew that it would not be so, and the
shiftless one knew that he had no confidence in his own words.

" If not," said Henry, resolved to see the better side, we'll