noon before
The elder boys were eager to set off again at once , but were persuaded to wait until daylight ; when , accompanied by the two blacks , they immediately started off to commence a search for the lost children . Poor Mrs Berrington 's anxiety produced a succession of fainting fits ; she therefore required the constant attention of her sister and Mrs Hugh , who was herself much alarmed at the disappearance of the children . As soon as the girls had performed the necessary duties of the morning , they all set out in the direction taken by their brothers , carrying with them a supply of food , as the party , which had started early in the morning , had gone away without breakfast . It was noon before the girls heard the cooeys uttered by the searching-party , which proved that the children had not yet been discovered . Hurrying along , they at last came in sight of Reggy , who was at the very edge of the scrub . `` Have you seen anything of them ? '' asked Mary .