But during the following night a great storm set in that carried off nearly all the snow and caused such a freshet in the streams and the brooks that it was impracticable to reach the camp for a week or longer.

Then one night the small, white-faced ox made his appearance at the Edwards barn, having come home of his own accord.
The next morning Jotham went up on foot to see how his other cattle were faring.

The flood had now largely subsided; but it was plain that during the storm the water had flowed back round the camp to a depth of several feet.

The oxen were nowhere to be seen, nor could he discern their tracks round the camp or in the woods that surrounded it.

He tried to track them with a dog, but without success.
Several of Jotham's neighbors assisted him in the search.