"Don't you
think so, papa?" Hubert added, seeing that Mr. Hardy did not join
in the general approval.
"The plan is an admirably conceived one, but there is a great
difficulty in the way. I observed yesterday that the trail did not
lead due south, as it should have done if the Indians were going
straight back to their camping ground. I questioned the Gauchos,
and they all agree with me on the subject. The trail is too
westerly for the camping-grounds of the Pampas Indians; too far to
the south for the country of the Flat-faces of the Sierras. I fear
that there is a combination of the two tribes, as there was in the
attack upon us, and that they went the first day in the direction
which would be most advantageous for both; and that, on reaching
their halting-place--perhaps twenty or thirty miles from here--they
made a division of their booty, and each tribe drew off toward its
own hunting-grounds. In this case we have first to find the two
trails, then to decide the terrible question, which party have
taken Ethel?"
Again the Gauchos, upon this being translated to them, expressed
their perfect accordance with Mr. Hardy's views, and some surprise
at his idea as having been so identical with their own upon the
subject.
As for the six young men, they were too dismayed at the unexpected
difficulties which had started up in their way to give any opinion
whatever.
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