O, Heavenly Father! what have I done to deserve this blow ?" For some time the others respected his grief, and stood by in silence.
Then Mr.March laid his hand gently on the shoulder of his friend, and said, "You are indeed afflicted, but there are others of whom you must think besides yourself.

His mother and sister need you now as they never needed you before.

You must go to them." Turning to Frank, he said, "I will go home with Mr.Elmer, but I want you to ride with Jan in the direction you think this stream takes, and see if you can find its outlet or any other traces of it.

There is a bare possibility that we may recover the body." So they separated, the two gentlemen riding slowly and sadly homeward, and Frank and Jan riding southward with heavy hearts.
They had not gone more than half a mile when they came to a little log-house in the woods, and as the sun had risen, and they and their horses were worn out with their night's work, they decided to stop and ask to be allowed to rest a while, and for something to eat for themselves and their animals.
The owner of the house was a genuine "cracker," or poor white--lean, sallow, and awkward in his movements, but hospitable, as men of his class always are.

In answer to their request he replied, "Sartin, sartin; to be sho'.