Either they be gone roaming about for the day in search of
food, or they be gone altogether. We may not know of a surety till
evening when, if they be not altogether gone, they will return. If they
be gone, we have lost a day and given them an added start of us.
Wherefore I counsel that we pursue the search warily through the Isle
in the hope that we come up with them. What say ye?"
"We say well," responded the men.
The party now separated again, and, going even more slowly than before
through the silent Isle, sought to be as noiseless as possible. But
every now and then some horse splashed suddenly and heavily into a
pool, or scrambling out of the water crunched and broke the reeds and
scared the water-fowl, which rose shrieking and flew noisily away. At
such mishaps Richard Wood restrained his impatience as well as he was
able, knowing that they were unavoidable and that his men were
faithful. Thus another hour went by and there was no trace of the
fugitives. They were now going due northwest, and a half-hour later one
of the men-at-arms gave the signal. Silently Richard Wood approached
him.
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