ou know about the place, and which way will
you go?"

I was obliged to say that I didn't know, but I would hunt for him well.

"It is now close upon twelve o'clock," said Gunson, angrily, "and he has
been gone nearly three hours. If he is coming back it must be directly,
and then, with you gone, we shall miss the boat, and all our belongings
will go on up north without us. Hang him, he must be mad!"

"But I would not go far without coming back," I said.

"I think, my lad, you may save yourself the trouble."

"What do you mean? He will be back here directly?"

"No. I'm afraid," said Gunson, bitterly, "that we have been talking too
much for him lately."

"Mr Gunson?"

"We have scared him with our account of the troubles, and he has backed
out."

"Backed out?" I faltered, quite horrified at the idea of being left
alone.

"Yes, and gone into hiding until we have sailed."

"Oh, impossible!"

"No, my lad, quite possible. You saw how startled he was at the idea of
a journey through a wild country."

"No, no, I think not," I said.

"I feel nearly sure of it. He had no real reason for going out this
morning, and his excuses to get away were as slippery as could be.
Depend upon it we shall not see him again--at least, I shall not, for of
course you will wait for him."

"If I thought he could play such a mean, deceitful trick I should go
without him," I said hotly.

"Indeed? Well then, my lad, you had better come, for it is high time we
were off."

I stared at him wildly, for what he had said seemed terribly likely.
Esau had been startled on hearing the real difficulties and dangers that
we had to go through, and much as he seemed to like me, he might have
been overcome by his thoughts, and at the last moment felt that he must
turn tail.

"Well?" said Gunson, "what do you say? Will you come? I must be off
almost directly."

"Yes," I said, "you must go, but I'm sure Esau is in some trouble. He
could not be such a coward as that."

"Then you will not go with me?"

"I would if I could think as you do," I said; "but I'm sure he would not
forsake me."

"Human nature, boy."

"It isn't his human nature," I said boldly. "If he had wanted to back
out he would have confided in me, and wanted me to go with him till you
had sailed."

"I have no time to argue," said Gunson sternly. "What are you going to
do?"

"I must try and find my companion."

"But your chests?--they will be taken on to Esq