“I’m afraid you’re right,” agreed his father, glancing at the sky. They were counting on a long climb with a rather late supper that night, and for this reason, the cook had prepared an especially large meal for the middle of the day. Ethel, Alice and Florence sat down to it rather reluctantly, for they hated to think of Marjorie and Daisy missing it, and sharing only a frugal repast with the Melville boys. They were just finishing their usual dessert of stewed fruit, when they heard welcome pistol shots in the distance. The wanderers were coming back, and there was plenty of good, substantial dinner left for them to make up for their slim rations. Alice jumped up joyfully, letting out a wild war whoop, and Arthur fired off a couple of blanks. But as they rode into view, everyone’s heart sank at the sight of them. The boys were alone! “Where are the girls?” demanded Alice, frantically, as soon as they were within earshot. “In the flivver,” replied Tom, smiling. “And you never saw anybody so happy as they all were!” “Did they all go back?” asked Mrs. Hilton, grasping at this possibility, “Even Marjorie and Daisy?” “Marj and Daisy!” repeated Tom, in consternation. “Why, they left us hours ago!” “You’re teasing us!” cried Alice, with the vain hope that he might be. “Oh, please don’t be mean. We’re so worried!” But the alarm in both boys’ faces immediately assured her that she was wrong. Something had happened. Kirk Smith was the first to propose action. Jumping to his feet, he announced that he was going immediately in search of the missing girls. “There can be no thought of leaving this spot today,” he said. “So the rest of you might just as well unpack and put up your tents again. Mr. Hilton, have we provisions for an extra day?” “Yes, plenty,” replied the older man; “especially since three of the party have gone home.” “Well, then I’d like to take some food with me for the girls when I find them,” continued Kirk. “And I want a companion. Who volunteers?” “I do!” cried Bob, promptly. “If somebody will look after the horses for me while I’m gone.” “I will!” offered Arthur, who preferred staying with Ethel to going off on such a chase. The young men lost no time in their preparations, and by two o’clock they were on their horses, following the trail which the party had taken in the morning. They kept their eyes intently fixed on the ground, watching for horses’ tracks. Luckily they both knew the mountains well; it was unlikely that they too might get lost. Whenever they came to a precipice or a dangerous cliff, they forced themselves to look over, dreading lest they might see the lifeless forms of the girls--or the horses--below. Every fifteen minutes or so they fired off blanks, in the hope of getting some response. But none came, and at five o’clock they were still hopelessly riding on.