The scene was so impressive that the laughter of the Overland Riders soon died away, for the great silence of this wonderful forest had taken strong hold on them. Whereas all other forests in which they had traveled, were continually nodding and murmuring, the giant Sequoias stood in absolute calm. Tom Gray explained this silence by saying that, owing to their great height, the trunks were solid, the branches rigid and the movement very slight. Even though there might be some slight murmurings, the tops were so far above the ground that the human ear could not catch the faint rustling up there.
As the party moved on through the silent forest aisles, the bigness of the trees grew Upon them.
"You savvy big tlees?" asked Woo Smith finally, after a long period of silence on his part.
"Do you know where there is a spring or a creek?" asked Tom.
The guide answered with a shake of his head.
An hour later, no water being yet in sight, Grace called a halt.
"Woo, I do not believe you savvy any spring at all," she said. "I think we should camp right where we are. It will soon be dark, and if we keep on going we shall undoubtedly be worse off than if we remain where we are. Smith, have you lost the trail?" she demanded.
Woo did not reply at once, but gazed up at the tops of the trees, muttering to himself.
"You're lost! That's what's the matter," grinned Stacy.
"Woo no lost. Tlail him lost. Me savvy tlail lost," chuckled the Chinaman.
"I thought so," agreed Hippy gravely. "There being no objection, I second Grace's motion that we camp here."
"While you are making camp I will go out and prospect for water," offered Tom, wheeling his pony about and riding off into the forest. Tom, being a forester by profession, an experienced woodsman, they felt no concern over his departure, but, as the hours following his departure wore on and Tom Gray did not return, the Overlanders began to worry.
At nine o'clock they began firing signals at intervals, and Woo Smith built up a blazing fire, but there was no response to either signal. Grace Harlowe was the least worried of the party.
"We will have supper," she said. "Tom will be all right. Should he be lost it will not be the first time."
"Yes, but what if he doesn't find himself?" questioned Emma tremulously.