Ten minutes' riding took them back to their starting place.
"They must have gone over the hill," Reuben said. "They certainly have not kept along at the foot, or we should see their tracks in this long grass."
The trackers had exchanged a few words in a low tone, and they now moved up the hill, and began to examine the ground carefully.
"Some of dem have gone this way, captain."
"Of course they have," Mr. Blount said. "A blind man might see that."
The marks of the sheep were indeed plain enough to all, when their attention had once been drawn to the subject. On getting beyond the crest the trackers turned to the left, and Reuben saw that they felt it would be hopeless to attempt, further, to mislead a party containing several settlers who were perfectly capable of following the trail.
Jim had, since speaking to his master, remained in the rear of the troop. After three miles' riding across the downs, they again came down upon a flat country, thickly covered with brush. Here and there pieces of wool sticking to thorns were visible, and the trackers went steadily on for some little time. Then their pace became slower, and finally they stopped.
"Trail ended, captain."
"What do you mean by the trail ended?" Reuben asked angrily. "Why, I can see a piece of wool, on there ahead."
"Dat so, captain; but only a few sheep hab passed here."