Jack sent the Terror flying off in pursuit of the bandits, and they ran out on the open plain.
It was a rolling, grassy country.
The trail led them on for a distance of about five miles when an old blasted oak tree was met.
Here the cunning of the James Boys was shown.
Evidently fearing pursuit, they had ordered the gang to scatter in every direction, each one going to a different point of the compass.
It was then utterly impossible to follow any particular one of the gang, and know which one it was.
Jack was rendered angry.
"See there how they've baffled us!" he cried with a frown, as he pointed down at the scattered trails.
"Gee whiz!" groaned Tim, "they've throwed us off ther course entirely now, Wot one'll we foller?"
"If you mean so that we can corral the James Boys, I cannot say–one trail is the same as another."