CHAPTER XVI
CAUSE FOR ANXIETY
There was no sign of the missing horse next day, and Alton's face was grave when he returned to camp at noon. Tom of Okanagan arrived an hour or two later, and shook his head when Seaforth glanced at him inquiringly.
"Rock again. Right down to the river," he said.
Alton nodded, but did not ask if his companion had effected a crossing.
"There was a good deal of water coming down?" he said.
"Oh, yes," said Okanagan. "It was cold. Boulders all along on the other side. Now if the beast got over he'll be lighting out for home, and there are some of us better than others at picking up a trail."
Seaforth understood him, and the implication pleased him though it was not openly expressed. "Had you any especial reason when you asked me to go, Harry?" he as
