"
But every such hopeful return to base disheartened the searchers
more. At last the grandmother was obliged to lie down.
Early in the morning the Virginian came, full of concern. His party
was breaking camp, but he would stay behind and help search for the
children.
"That I won't allow," said Grandma Padgett. "You're on a long road,
and you don't want to risk separating from the colony. Besides no one
can do more than we can--unless it was Son Tip. As I laid awake, I
wished in my heart Son Tip was here."
"Can't you send him a lightnin' message?" said the Virginian. "By
the telegraphic wire," he explained, quoting a line of a popular song.
"I wish I could," said Grandma Padgett, "but there's no telegraph
office in miles of where he's located. I thought of it last night.
There's no way to reach him that I can see, but by letter, and
sometimes _they_ lay over on the road. And I don't allow to stop
at this place. I'm goin' to set out and hunt in all directions till I
find the children."
The Virginian agreed that her plan was best. He also made
arrangements to ride back and tell her if the caravan overtook them
on the 'pike during that day's journey. Then he and Grandma Padgett
shook hands with each other and reluctantly separated.
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