But despair was not the only emotion in his heart.

The silent and brave man meant to act.
"Henry," he said, "see these tracks here in the soft spot by the creek." The young leader read the forest page, and it told him exactly the same tale that it had told Tom Ross.
"About a day old, I think," he said.
"Just about," said Tom; "an' I reckon, Henry, you know what's in my mind." "I think I do," said Henry, "and we ought to overtake them by to-morrow night.

You tell the others, Tom." Tom informed Shif'less Sol, Paul, and Long Jim in a few words, receiving from everyone a glad assent, and then the five followed fast on the trail.

They knew that the Indians could not go very fast, as their speed must be that of the slowest, namely, that of the children, and it seemed likely that Henry's prediction of overtaking them on the following night would come true.
It was an easy trail.

Here and there were tiny fragments of cloth, caught by a bush from the dress of a captive.