Frank looks a little wary, both about the disappearances and about the idea of mounting a search party. It could be important - they could have been killed by something that'll threaten the rest of the group, or they might have found a way out - but it could waste time and energy they can't afford right now, given the urgency of planting season.

"I can take my dog out in the other direction when we hunt tomorrow. Cover more ground that way. She's not trained yet, but she's got that bloodhound nose all the same."

"Ought to keep the groups small, though," he adds, considering. "Forage or something as you go. Multitask. We don't have a lot of manpower to spare."