'They cannot well be ahead of us,' said Doonan. 'I have seen no one about.'
'Precious good care they would take you did not see them,' answered Silas.
'We must make the best of our way back,' said Willie, and set the pace faster than Constable Doonan's horse cared to go.
'I shall be left if you go at that rate,' he shouted to Willie.
As Wanabeen came in sight all appeared quiet and safe, and they anticipated nothing had happened there. They were mistaken.
Abe Dalton had laid his plans well. Together with three of his men he had been on the watch for some hours. By a mere chance the absence of the black gin from the camp had been discovered, and Dalton had found brutal means to find out where she had gone.
'It will cost her her life,' he muttered, and then he cursed his men for talking of such matters in front of the blacks. Sal being warned, as he expected would be the case, no doubt either Willie Dennis or one of the hands would be sent to Swamp Creek for assistance.
Dalton at once decided to ride in the direction of Wanabeen and keep a sharp lookout. He knew every inch of the country and every place of concealment.
Not far from Wanabeen homestead was an old disused boundary rider's hut, and it was here he meant to hide and keep a sharp lookout.
Luck favoured him. With some difficulty the horses as well as the men were packed inside, and no signs of them could be seen.