"Tell me how it happened," said James Morris, and now all in the camp gathered around to hear what the old frontiersman had to say. The ice once broken, Barringford's tongue grew more talkative, and he related all the particulars so far as he knew them. "When I worked my way down into the waterway I felt sartin I would find Henry in some sort o' shape," he concluded. "But I couldn't find nuthin', not even his cap. His gun he dropped on the hill, an' here it is," and he handed it to Dave. It was a fearful shock, and the tears stood in Dave's eyes and ran down his cheeks, while the youth's father was scarcely less affected. The frontiersmen had little to say, and the Indians, with the exception of White Buffalo, took the matter stoically, for the perils of the hunt were no new things to them. White Buffalo took in every word that was spoken. When matters of importance were to be considered he had little to say. "Shall White Buffalo go forward and make a search?" he asked simply, after Sam Barringford had stopped speaking. "What can you do, after Sam here has failed?" questioned James Morris. "I know you are keen on the trail, White Buffalo, but you know that Sam is too." "Four eyes are better than two," returned the Indian, using an old saying of his tribe. "Let him go by all means if he wishes," put in Barringford. "The man to find Henry an' bring him back to camp is my best friend." "White Buffalo, will you take me along?" asked Dave eagerly. "Dave, son, don't you think you had better remain with me?" asked his father. "No, father; we must find Henry. Please let me go!" "Dave can go if he wishes," answered White Buffalo. "The journey will not be pleasant, but if Henry is found we shall be glad. Is not White Buffalo right?" "Take torches with you, or a lantern," said Barringford. Torches were quickly procured and placed in a bit of skin, that they might not get wet. Then another torch was lit, and the old frontiersman gave the Indian chief minute directions about the trail to the water course under the cliff. "White Buffalo knows something of that land," said the chief. "He will not go astray." "I should hope not," said Dave. "We want to find Henry, not lose ourselves." "Take a bag full of eating along," put in James Morris. "You may want something before morning. And also a bandage and some stimulants for Henry, in case he is badly hurt and needs them." He could not let himself believe that his nephew was dead. "All right, father; I'll take whatever you say," answered Dave, and soon he and White Buffalo had all the articles mentioned. Each went armed with his rifle and hunting knife, and the Indian carried his hatchet as well. "Do not remain away later than to-morrow noon," said James Morris, when they were ready to leave. "If you are not back by that time I shall fear that something has happened to you also."