"No, sir, I did not see or hear anyone stirring about the place."
Reuben gave a loud cooey.
"That will bring him, if he is anywhere within hearing."
But no answering call came back.
"I hope nothing has happened to the poor fellow," Reuben said, after a pause.
"He could not possibly be here by this time," Mr. Barker said. "The place where he warned the shepherd must be sixty miles from here."
"Yes, quite that; but he can run nearly as fast as a horse can go, and he would be ten miles nearer here, in a straight line, than the way the man went round to fetch me."
As soon as it became light they followed the track, which was plainly visible; but when they had gone half a mile further, there was a general cry of dismay—the ground was trampled in every direction.
"Confound it," Mr. Barker said, "they have done us! Do you see, they have ridden right into the middle of a large herd of cattle, and have driven them off in every direction; and have, no doubt, themselves scattered among the cattle. They may go like that for three or four miles, and then draw off from the cattle at any spot where the ground is hard, and no tracks will be left; to meet again at some appointed place, maybe fifty miles away."
"Then you don't think it's any use in pursuing them?" Reuben asked, in a tone of deep disappointment.