This uncertainty was terrible, and all felt that it would
have a most depressing effect upon themselves and upon the whole
expedition; for how could they tell, after journeying for hundreds
of miles, whether every step might not take them further from the
object of their search?
In this state of depression they remained for some minutes, when
Perez the Gaucho said, in his broken English, "Most tribe take most
plunder, most cattle, most sheep--take girl."
"Well thought of, Perez!" Mr. Hardy exclaimed warmly. "That is the
clew for us, sure enough. As you say, the tribe who has furnished
most men will, as a matter of course, take a larger share of the
booty; and Ethel being the only captive, would naturally go to the
strongest tribe."
The rest were all delighted at this solution of a difficulty which
had before appeared insuperable, and the most lively satisfaction
was manifested.
The plans for the day were then discussed. Propositions were made
that they should divide into two parties, and go one to the right
and the other to the left until they arrived at unburned ground,
the edge of which they should follow until they met. This scheme
was, however, given up, as neither party would have seen the trail
inspected by the other and no opinion could therefore be formed as
to the respective magnitude of the parties who had passed--a matter
requiring the most careful examination and comparison, and an
accurate and practiced judgment.
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