But Old Cy was more than "sorter oneasy," for the only spot where he dared close his eyes in sleep during that three days' journey out of the wilderness was in his canoe, with his head pillowed on that precious gold. CHAPTER XXX "A miser was created to prove how little real comfort kin be got out o' money."--Old Cy Walker. When Old Cy joined the little party at the lake again, he seemed to have aged years. His sunny smile was gone. He looked weary, worn, and disconsolate. "Chip's run away from Greenvale," he said simply, "an' nobody can find hide nor hair on her. They've follered the roads for miles in every direction. Nobody can be found that's seen anybody like her 'n' they've even dragged the mill-pond. She left a note chargin' it to that durn fool, Hannah, and things she said, which I guess was true. I'd like to duck her in the hoss-pond!" Such news was like a bombshell in the camp, or if not, what soon followed was, for after a few days Old Cy made another announcement which upset the entire party. "I think I'd best go back to Greenvale," he said, "an' begin a sarch for that gal. I ain't got nobody in the world that needs me so much, or I them. I'm a sorter outcast myself, ez you folks know. That little gal hez crept into my heart so, I can't take no more comfort here. Amzi don't need me so much as I need her, 'n' I've made up my mind I'll start trampin' till I find her. I've a notion, too, she'll head for the wilderness ag'in, 'n' I'm most sartin she'll fetch up whar her mother was buried. I watched that gal middlin' clus all last summer. She's true blue 'n' good grit. She won't do no fool thing, like makin' 'way with herself, 'n' I'll find her somewhar arnin' her own livin' if I live long 'nuff. From the note she left, I know that was in her mind." Martin realized that there was no use in trying to change Old Cy's intent--in fact, had no heart to do so, for he too felt much the same toward Chip. "I'll give you all the funds you need, old friend," he made answer, "and wish you Godspeed on your mission. I'll do more than that even. I'll pay some one to watch at Grindstone for the next year, so if Chip reaches there, we can learn it." That night he held a consultation with his wife. "I suspect we are somewhat to blame for this unfortunate happening," he said to her, "or, at least, some thoughtless admissions you may have made led up to it. It's a matter we are responsible for, or I feel so, anyway. I think as Old Cy does, that this girl must be found if money can do it, and I propose that we break camp and return to Greenvale. If Amzi can't be coaxed to go along, I must leave Levi with him. No power on earth can keep Old Cy here any longer." But the old hermit had changed somewhat since that night he broke away and returned to this camp, and when the alternative of remaining here alone, or going out with them all, was presented, he soon yielded.