The Search Party

           WhendawnbrokeuponthelittlecampofFrenchmenintheheartofthejungleitfoundasadanddisheartenedgroup.

           AssoonasitwaslightenoughtoseetheirsurroundingsLieutenantCharpentiersentmeningroupsofthreeinseveraldirectionstolocatethetrail,andintenminutesitwasfoundandtheexpeditionwashurryingbacktowardthebeach.

           Itwasslowwork,fortheyborethebodiesofsixdeadmen,twomorehavingsuccumbedduringthenight,andseveralofthosewhowerewoundedrequiredsupporttomoveevenveryslowly.

           Charpentierhaddecidedtoreturntocampforreinforcements,andthenmakeanattempttotrackdownthenativesandrescueD’Arnot.

           Itwaslateintheafternoonwhentheexhaustedmenreachedtheclearingbythebeach,butfortwoofthemthereturnbroughtsogreatahappinessthatalltheirsufferingandheartbreakinggriefwasforgottenontheinstant.

           AsthelittlepartyemergedfromthejunglethefirstpersonthatProfessorPorterandCecilClaytonsawwasJane,standingbythecabindoor.

           Withalittlecryofjoyandreliefsheranforwardtogreetthem,throwingherarmsaboutherfather’sneckandburstingintotearsforthefirsttimesincetheyhadbeencastuponthishideousandadventurousshore.