"We will find them soon," she pleaded; "I'm sure we will, and then we
can all go home together. It will frighten mother so dreadfully to see
me coming alone, without Rudolph and Kittie, and Bouncer!"

The man whose lantern had gleamed upon her shaded the light with his
great rough hand from the spot where Bouncer lay, and in a voice as
tender as a woman's, urged her to go with him at once,

"Go, Bessie," said her father hurriedly, on seeing that she still
resisted, "we are losing time."

This was enough. "Good-night, dear father!" she sobbed, as she was led
away; "don't tell Rudolph about Bouncer until he gets home, father--it
will almost break his heart."

A voice that even Bessie could scarcely recognize called back through
the darkness: "Good-night, my child. Go easy, Joe, and keep a sharp
look-out."

"Ay! Ay!" answered the man in a suppressed voice, as he grasped more
firmly the little hand in his, and hurried on.

After a wearisome tramp, they at last reached the edge of the forest.
Bessie started to see a tall, white figure rushing with outstretched
arms toward them.

"It's the mother," said Joe, pityingly, raising the lantern as he spoke.

"Oh, Joe!" screamed the poor woman, "have you found them?--tell me,
quick!"