"Yes."
"Then that's why you didn't meet him. You see there's another trail back from the river and, as it's a bit shorter, he probably took it."
"Then he can't get back for at least three days more can he?" Bob asked.
"It'll probably be four at the least, as he'll stay in town for a day to rest the dogs and to fill up on booze."
"Then I reckon we don't need fear anything from him."
"No, I don't think so."
They had not stopped while talking, but had kept on at a slow pace but now Lucky snapped his long lash and the dogs sprang forward at a smart trot.
"We geet on ver' queek now," he said.
While there was no moon the sky was studded thickly with stars and, in the north great streamers of light flashed from horizon to zenith giving them plenty of light to travel by. Hour followed hour and the boys were beginning to wonder if Lucky was never going to stop for a rest and for breakfast when he finally ordered the dogs to halt in the middle of a large open space the first they had encountered for some time.
"We eat," he announced.