d came near the camp yesterday," answered the chief gruffly.

Here was cause for wonder, both for the Hebrew and the prince.

"Forgive me, sir," said the latter, with a deferential air that greatly
pleased the warrior, "forgive me if I venture to intrude my own troubles
on one whose anxiety must needs be greater, but this youth left my hut
yesterday to visit you, saying that he knew you well, and if he has not
arrived some evil must have befallen him, for the distance he had to
traverse was very short."

"That is sad," returned the chief in a tone of sympathy, "for he must
either have been caught by robbers, or come by an accident on the way.
Did you not follow his footsteps as you came along?"

"We never thought of following them--the distance being so short,"
returned the prince with increasing anxiety.

"Are you, then, so fond of this lad?" asked the chief.

"Ay, that am I, and with good reason, for he has tended me with
self-denying care during illness, and in circumstances which few men
would have faced. In truth, I feel indebted to him for my life."

"Say you so?" cried the chief with sudden energy; "then shall we search
for _him_ as well as for my daughter. And you, Hebrew, shall help us.
Doubtless, young man, you will aid us by your knowledge of the district.
I have secured the services of the hunter of the Swamp, so we can
divide into three bands, and scour the whole country round. We cannot
fail to find them, for neither of them can have got far away, whether
they be lost or stolen. Ho! there. Assemble the force, instantly.
Divide it into three bands. My lieutenant shall head one. You, Bladud,
shall lead another, and I myself will head the third, guided by Beniah.
Away!"

With a wave of both hands Gadarn dismissed those around him, and retired
to his booth to arm himself, and prepare for the pending search.

The Hebrew was sorely tempted just then to speak out, but his solemn
promise to Branwen sealed his lips. The fact also that the girl seemed
really to have disappeared, filled him with alarm as well as surprise,
and made him anxious to participate in the search. In a perplexed state
of mind, and unenviable temper, he went away with Bladud to the place
where the force was being marshalled.

"Strange that fate should send us on a double search of this kind,"
remarked the prince as they hurried along.

"Whether fate sent us, or some mischievous sprite, I know not," growled
the Hebrew, "but