"Perhaps not. It needs quick eyes to follow this one."
"If there really is one," he said sharply.
His tone was not the most agreeably confiding possible, and I raised my eyes from the ground on which they had hitherto been fixed, to contemplate him, when Bill inquired:
"'Ow long, Cap, was hit since the blamed cusses went by 'ere?"
"From four to six hours. Possibly, something more," was my answer.
The officer gave utterance to a low and very dubious whistle, which unmistakably suggested a disbelief in the authority Bill had appealed to. On hearing it the Ranger's bronzed face flushed, and he turned on the captain, exclaiming:
"What hin 'ell do you know habout hit? Hi'll bet my bottom dollar, Mose hain't made no mistake."
"Well, my lads," said Knight, who, I must do him justice, immediately saw the mistake he had made, "go ahead, if you feel so confoundedly sure of the rascals."
"In course we are," put in Butch'. "You just leave Mose alone, and we'll have their hair, afore night."