I shouldn't wonder a bit if the path were right over there where it looks so black.

Besides, we shall hear them calling for us." Ah, if there had been anybody to tell them! In precisely the other direction, the picnic party, roused and frightened, were searching every thicket, and shouting their names at every ravine.

Each step the girls took now sent them so much further away from help.
While they were running on, still hand in hand, Joy heard the most remarkable sound.

It was a laugh from Gypsy--actually a soft, merry laugh, breaking out like music on the night air, in the dreary place.
"Why, Gypsy Breynton! What can you find to laugh at, I should like to know ?" said Joy, provoked enough to stop crying at very short notice.
"Oh, dear, I really can't help it," apologized Gypsy, choking down the offending mirth; "but I was thinking--I couldn't help it, Joy, now, possibly--how mad Francis Rowe will be to think he's got to stop and help hunt us up!" "I wonder what that black thing is ahead of us," said Joy, presently.
They were still running on together, but their hands were not joined just at that moment.

Joy was a little in advance.
"I'm sure I don't know," said Gypsy, eyeing it intently.