CHAPTER IV.
THE SEARCH BY HUGH AND TOM.
Never did one person do another a greater injustice than did HarveyBradley when he believed that either Hugh O'Hara or any one else hadaught to do with the absence of his little sister Dollie. No men had ahand in the sad business, nor could any one have been led to harm ahair of her head. Had Harvey asked for help, no one in the villagewould have held back from doing all that could be done to restore thechild to her friends.
The first news that came to Hugh O'Hara's cabin of the loss of thechild was brought by Jack Hansell, who went thither on a far differenterrand. After a long talk on business, he gave the tidings, adding:
"I met him at the creek, but thought I wouldn't tell him, for it woulddo no good. I kept my eyes open for the gal, but seen nothing of her."
Hugh jerked the pipe from his mouth.
"What's that you are saying? The little girl lost?"
"That's it; she's been missing since noon; they think she come up thepath and got lost in the mountains."
"Good gracious!" gasped Hugh, starting to his feet, "that is bad; doyou know," he added, turning to Tom and speaking with a slight tremor,"that that little girl Dollie is about the age my Jennie was when shedied?"
"I hadn't thought of that," replied Tom.
"And," continued Hugh, swallowing a lump in his throat, "she looks somuch like Jennie that I've often felt as if I would give all Ihave--which ain't much--to hold the little one on my knee as I used tohold my baby. She is a sweet child and likes me; we've had many a talktogether that no one beside us knows about. She's so gentle, soinnocent, so good that it seems to me I see my own darling before mewhen she looks up in my face. Come, boys," he added, decisively, as hewalked to the farther end of the room, picked up a lantern and lit thecandle inside.
"Come where?" asked Tom, in amazement.
Hugh turned half angrily toward him.
"Do you think that I could rest while that child is lost in themountains? Mr. Bradley hasn't acted right toward us and I bear him nogood will, but this isn't _he_--it's a little child--she looks and actslike my Jennie, that's dead and gone."
"But, Hugh, you forget--what about the place?"
"Let it go to the dogs for all I care! What does it amount to againstthe life of the little one? But we'll let Jack stay; if any of theboys come, send them out to help in the hunt; it'll do them more goodthan to break the law."
"Suppose some that are strangers come?" said Jack with a grin.
Hugh O'Hara gave a hollow laugh.
"Send them out, too, to help in the search; we'll be sure to find herwhen the whole country gets to work. If I was down in the village Iwould have every man, woman and child in the woods, and wouldn't letthem eat or drink or sleep till she's found. Tom, there's no one thatknows the woods better than we and Nero. Let's be off!"
The door was drawn inward, and Jack Hansell was left alone. He lit hispipe, smoked it out, refilled it and was in the act of refilling it,when Harvey Bradley came in--as has been made known in another place.While the man sat smoking and alone in the cabin, he fell to broodingover the troubles at the mills. Thus it came to pass that his feelingswere so bitter at the time the superintendent entered that he kept backevery hint that the absent men were engaged in the most "honest"business in the world--that is, they were looking for the missing child.
Meanwhile Hugh and Tom went at the task not only with zeal, but with asagacity that gave promise of good results. As Hugh had said, theyknew every foot of the mountains for miles, they were free from theflurry that at first ran away with the judgment of the superintendent,and they were used to prowling through the woods. Still further Nerohad been trained to follow the faintest footprints.
"Now, Tom," said the leader, when they had walked a short ways, "wecan't do anything till we get on the trail of the little one."
"What do you think has become of her?"
"She's somewhere in the woods asleep or dead, with the chances abouteven for either."
"Jack says she was seen coming up the mountain path early thisafternoon."
"Well, she has kept to it till she has either slipped out of the pathwithout knowing it or she has done it on purpose. She has strolledalong until it became dark or she was tired. Then she has lain down onthe leaves and gone to sleep. Nero, find the trail of the little girl."
"But," said Tom, "the night is so cold."
"So it is, but if the girl went out to play she was well clad, and, ifshe knew enough, she has crept under the lee of a rock or into thebushes, where the wind can't reach her. If she did the same, shehasn't frozen to death."
"But there are wild animals in these parts."
"I know that, and she would make a meal that any of them would be gladto get; we can only hope they didn't find her."
Just then Nero, who had been nosing the path in front, uttered a whineand turned aside. Hugh held up the lantern and saw that he had gone tothe right. He was following a trail of some kind; whether it was thatof the one whom they were seeking was to be learned. It would take afine scent to trace the tiny footsteps under the carpet of snow, butsuch an exploit is not one-tenth as wonderful as that of the traineddogs in Georgia, which will stick to the track of a convict when it hasbeen trampled upon by hundreds of others wearing similar dress andshoes, and will keep to it for miles by running parallel to the trailand at a distance of a hundred feet.
But in the latter case the canines have an advantage at the start; theyare put upon the track or directed to hunt for it where it is known toexist; they are given a clew in some form.
The hound Nero was skilful in taking a scent, but his ability was notto be compared to that of the dogs to which I have referred, nor indeedwas it necessary that it should be. But he had great intelligence, andacted as if he understood every word said to him by his master. He hadsaved Hugh and his friends many a time by giving warning from afar ofthe approach of strange parties. It may seem incredible that he shouldknow what was wanted of him, but there is the best reason for saying heunderstood it all. Having no part of the little one's clothing tohelp, he was without the clew which would appear to be indispensable.His master, however, was satisfied the dog had struck the right trail.
"Stick to it, Nero," said Hugh, encouragingly, "not too fast, but besure you're right."
Without pause, the two followed the dog, Hugh in front with lantern inhand. The woods were so cluttered with undergrowth that they could notgo fast, seeing which Nero suited his pace to theirs. Now and then heran ahead, as if impatient with the slow progress of the couple, andthen he calmly awaited their approach.
"Hark!"
The single word "_Dollie_!" rang through the arches of the woods. Theyrecognized the voice as that of the superintendent, who was hurryingover the path they had left, and who was not far away. In fact, Hughheld the lantern in front of him so as to hide its rays.
"I am sorry for him," he said, "but we don't want him with us."
"It cannot be," remarked Tom, after they had struggled further, "thatshe has gone as far as this; Nero must be off the track."
At this moment the dog emitted a low, baying whine that would havestartled any one had he not known its meaning. It was the signal whichthe remarkable animal always gave when close to the end of a trail.
"We shall soon know the worst," said Hugh, crashing through the woodwith such haste that Tom had to hurry almost into a trot to savehimself from dropping behind.
The singular call of the dog was heard again. He wanted his friends tomove faster. It came from a point slightly to the left.
"Here he is!" exclaimed Hugh, making a sharp turn and showing moreexcitement than at any time during the evening.
"I see him! There he stands!" added Tom, stumbling forward.
With his right hand Hugh raised the lantern above his head, so that itsglare was taken from their eyes. The hound was close to a rock thatrose some six or eight feet above the ground, and his nose was pointedtoward the
base of the black mass. At the same moment the men sawsomething dark and light mixed together, like a bundle of clothing.One bound and Hugh was on his knees, the lamp held even with hisforehead while he peered downward and softly drew the clothing aside.Tom was also stooping low and leaning forward with bated breath.
There lay little Dollie Bradley, sleeping as sweetly as if nestlingbeside her big brother in the warm bed at home. She must have wanderedthrough the woods until, worn out, she reached this spot. Then she hadthrown herself on the earth beside the rock and had fallen asleep.Having lost her hood, her head was without any covering, except her ownnative hair, which was abundant. Besides, rugged people do not need tocover their heads while asleep, even in cold weather.
It was fortunate for Dollie that she was so warmly wrapped. One armwas doubled under her head, and the cheek that rested on it was pushedjust enough out of shape to add to her picturesqueness. Her heavy coathaving been buttoned around her body, kept its form and could not havebeen better arranged. The chubby legs were covered by thick stockings,and the feet were protected by heavy shoes. True, she ran much risk inlying upon the cold earth, with nothing between her and the ground, butthere was hope that no serious harm would follow.
The rock not only kept off the wind, but screened her from the snow.It was almost certain that the little one had been asleep several hours.
Hugh gently examined the limbs and body to see whether there was anyhurt. Her peaceful sleep ought to have satisfied him, but he was notcontent. Not a scratch, however, was found, though her clothing hadsuffered a good deal.
"Take the lantern," said he in a husky voice to his companion. Then,softly pushing his brawny arms under the dimpled form, he lifted it astenderly as its mother could have done. Tom smoothed the clothing soas to cover the body as fully as possible. Hugh doffed his coarse capand covered the mass of silken tresses that streamed over his shoulder.
Dollie muttered as a child will do when disturbed in its slumber, but,fitting her head to the changed position, she slept on as sweetly asever.
"Now lead the way," added Hugh, "and be careful where you step."
Tom was only too glad to do his part. Nero, as happy as the others,walked in advance, in his dignified manner, now and then wagging histail and whining with delight. None knew better than he the noble workhe had done.
Tom used great care. When the bushes could not be avoided, Hugh shovedthem aside with one hand, that they might not brush against the faceresting so close to his own. Perhaps he held the velvety cheek nearerhis shaggy beard than was needed, but who can chide him when his heartglowed with the sorrowful pleasure that came from the fancy that hisown Jennie, whom he had so often pressed to his breast, was restingthere again?
A tear dropped on the cheek of the little one. In that hour newresolves entered the heart of O'Hara. He had been sullen,discontented, and had long led a life that grieved his conscience.
By and by when they came back to the path they found the walking easierthan before.
"Hugh," said Tom, stopping short and facing about, "ain't you tired ofcarryin' the kid? 'cause if you are, I'm ready to give you a lift."
"No; I wish I could carry her forever!"
All too soon the glimmer from the cabin window fell upon them, and theypaused at the door to make sure the clothing of the child was arranged.They acted as if they were getting ready to go into the presence ofcompany.
"I don't know as I've done right in not carrying her home," said Hugh,"but she has been out too long already in the night air; we'll take herin and keep her while you run down to the village and let the folksknow she is safe."
"Is she still asleep?"
"Yes, hark! some of the boys seem to be inside," added Hugh, as thesound of voices came to them from within.
The door was pushed open and the two men and dog entered.
Harvey Bradley had risen to his feet, and for one second he staredangrily at the newcomers. You will recall that hot words had justpassed between him and Jack Hansell, and both were in an ugly mood.Then Harvey quickly recognized the form in the arms of Hugh and rushedforward.
"Is she alive?"
"Aye, alive and without a scratch," replied Hugh, deftly taking the hatfrom the head of the little sleeper and placing her in the outstretchedarms.
"How thankful I am," exclaimed Harvey, kissing the cold red cheeks overand over again, and pressing her to his heart; "yes--she is well--shewas lost and is found--she was dead and is alive again."
"What are you laughing at?" demanded Hugh, wiping his eyes and glaringsavagely at Jack Hansell, who, with open mouth, was looking on in abewildered way; "haven't you manners enough to know when gentlemen arepresent?"
Jack seemed to think that the only way to behave was by keeping hismouth closed. He shut his jaws with a click like that of a steel trapand never said a word.
Harvey Bradley sat down on the stool from which he had arisen, firstdrawing it closer to the fire, and unfastened the outer clothing of thelittle one. He saw that all was well with her. Then he looked up withmoistened eyes and said in a tremulous voice:
"Hugh, tell me all about it."
The short story was soon told. The hardy fellow made light of what hehad done, but the superintendent, who kept his eyes fixed on his face,saw the sparkle of tears that the speaker could not keep back. It washard for any one of the three to believe that only a brief while beforethey were ready to fly at each other's throats. Harvey was melted notonly by the rescue of his sister, but by the remembrance of thedreadful injustice done Hugh O'Hara and his friends, when he allowedhimself to think they had taken part in the disappearance of Dollie,who, through all the talk, continued sleeping.
"I can never thank you for what you have done," said thesuperintendent, hardly able to master his emotion, "but I shall showyou that the charge of ingratitude can never be laid at my door."
"That's all right," replied Hugh, in his off-hand fashion; "Tom and Iare glad to do a turn like that; nobody could want to see any harm cometo such a child, no matter how they might feel toward others related toher. Do you mean to take her home to-night?"
"Yes; her aunt is frantic with grief."
"But Tom can run down there quicker than you can with the little one."
"No doubt, but we shall feel better to have her with us. She seems tobe well, and we can bundle her up warmly. There may, after all, beserious results from this exposure, and it is best that we should haveher where we can give her every care."
And drawing the hood from his pocket he fixed it upon Dollie's head.She opened her eyes for a moment and mumbled something, but sank intosleep again. Harvey explained how it was he came to have the headgearwith him.
"I have a favor to ask of you, Mr. Bradley," said O'Hara, shifting fromone foot to another and as confused as a school-boy.
"Anything that you ask shall be granted, if it be in my power to grantit," replied Harvey with a fervor that could leave no doubt of hissincerity.
"It's a long distance to the village, and I will be glad if you willlet me carry her."
He made as if he simply wished to assist the superintendent. Thelatter knew better, but he did not say so.
"I shall be glad to have your aid; you have had a rest for severaldays, and a little exercise like this won't hurt you."
Hugh brought forth his best coat and gathered it around Dollie, as ifhe was tucking her up in her trundle bed. Then Harvey placed her withmuch care in his arms and made sure they were fully prepared to go outdoors.
The Hansell brothers quietly looked on during these proceedings. Theyfelt that there was no special use for them, and therefore they kept inthe background. The hound Nero showed much interest. He walked aroundHugh and Harvey, whining and wagging his tail as if he thought hisviews ought to have some weight in the questions the couple were calledupon to consider.
"Come, Nero," said his master, as he drew the door inward. The dogshot through like a flash and the tramp to the village was begun.
Hardly a word was spoken on the way, but when the house was reachedHugh handed his burden over to Harvey and, refusing to go in, startedto move off. The superintendent put out his free hand.
"Hugh, I want you to come and see me to-morrow afternoon; will you doso?"
"I will. Good-night."
"Good-night."
Hugh O'Hara had walked but a short distance up the mountain path whenhe was caught in a driving snow-storm. He cared little for it,however, and reached the cabin in due time, there to perform a strangeduty.