The realization that escape was cut off in the one direction that had seemed open came as a disheartening shock. He lay back limp and helpless; to his ears came the sound of the insects swarming over the dry leaves, like the patter of a shower of rain. His brain reeled and the blood roared in his veins. In desperation he covered his face with his hands. “Lord,” he prayed, “I’m not blaming anybody but myself for getting into this, but if I get out of it I’ll know You helped.” CHAPTER XIV THE RESCUE FROM THE ANT ARMY When David failed to return to camp at the usual time little was thought of it by those who noticed his absence. It was not until the foreman came around on his daily tour of inspection of the smokehouses that mention was made of it. It was then past mid-afternoon. “You, Mariano, go to the _dormitorio_ to see if he is there,” he said. “He may be sick.” Mariano dropped his work and hurried out. Soon he returned. “He is not there,” he said, “and the cook said he has not come in yet. He’s been waiting for him.” “Wonder what’s keeping him,” the foreman said uneasily. “Did he say anything to anybody this morning about going farther than usual?” A chorus of “No, Senhor,” and “Not to me” came in response to the inquiry. The chief bit his lip. “I’ll be back soon,” he said. “If he comes let me know at once. Don’t go away when you are through with your work. I may need all of you.” A half hour passed and still there was no sign of the missing David. The foreman came in--visibly agitated. “Get ready, every last one of you,” he ordered. “Either the boy is lost or met with some accident. You must find him. Shout as you go and those of you who have guns fire them. Scatter out far and wide over the country. Those of you who find or see nothing come back after dark. I will pay twenty-five milreis to the man who finds him or brings back the first news of him. Now get your bottles; the cook will fill them with coffee and give you each a package of food. Then hurry away up the trail.” The men departed immediately to do as they were directed. Not long after, they filed into the forest, alert for any sign or clue that would be of value to them in looking for the missing man. From time to time some of them branched off the main path until they had spread out in a fan-shaped formation that combed the forest in a thorough manner so far as it went. They kept calling and occasionally there was the report of a gun. Before long, however, they were out of hearing of one another. Therefore, it was not until long after dark, when the last man had straggled back into camp, that they knew that the search had been fruitless. The new trail that David had started that morning had been discovered, but darkness had come before it could be followed to its end; and they brought back the empty pail--nothing more.