I left him alone just a minute, and when I returned he wasn't here.

They're all lost but me, and I'm from the Bowery, so nobody can lose me." "Who was it that was taken from the camp ?" asked the officer.
Jimmie hesitated, for he did not know what reply to make.

These men might be in quest of Fremont.

Tempted by the large reward offered for the capture of the boy, they might have crossed the river and followed Nestor into the mountains.
On the other hand, if they were not in search of Fremont, they might render valuable assistance in running down the men who had taken him away.

It was rather a hard place to put the loyal little fellow, but he proved equal to the occasion by reserving his decision until further information concerning the new arrivals should be at hand.
"His name is Smith," he replied, shortly.
"And why did these unknown people abduct Smith ?" laughed the officer, who understood from the manner of the boy that the name was a fictitious one.
"I don't know," was the truthful reply.
"Well, we'll look into this later on," said the officer.