Page:Taylor - In the Dwellings of the Wilderness.djvu/136

 grant you bring the poor lad back safe with you. But … take care of yourself, Deane. Remember that if you don't find him within the week, it … will be no use to look further."

They rode away towards the darkening east, away from the sunset; and he watched, without speech or motion, until they were mere black dots crawling upon the desert floor.

Thereafter, Merritt discovered that he had fresh troubles on his hands. The fourth day after Deane's departure a man raced into the camp at supper-time, crying shrilly. His words brought the camp about him, nervous, ready for any new alarm. Ibraheem dragged him to Merritt, leaving a tumult of excited voices in his wake; and reported that the man,