The reins hung loosely on the mare's neck, for he knew he could trust her not to stumble over any of the numerous rabbit holes, and she would make straight for Wanabeen.
In due course he arrived home.
'Two men have been here,' said Sal.
'What did they come for? Who were they?'
'I have not seen them before, but they said they had come for the horse they had lost a few days ago, and that had been seen on your run,' said Sal.
Jim stared; he could hardly believe what she said. Then it dawned upon him that the men who had stolen Mr Shaw's horse must have lost him again and tracked him on to Wanabeen; they were clever at such work, and only one set of men could do it, Abe Dalton's gang.
'Did they take it away?'
'Yes, and it went quietly enough,' said Sal. 'I think you took it all out of him.'
Jim smiled. He thought it very probable such was the case.
'How long have they been gone?'