They neither increased nor diminished, but remaining the same, steadily shifted the direction whence they came.
Instead of keeping to the westward, as they had been for a long time, they worked around to the north and east.

Then the decrease in distinctness of sound was so rapid that it was quickly lost.
The truth was evident: the rustlers had started in pursuit of Sterry, though why they should have taken so much pains to conceal the fact from Fred Whitney was more than he could understand.
"They may overtake him," thought the young man as he turned to enter the house, "but it will not be right away." A light foot-fall sounded in the darkness of the room.
"Is that you, Jennie ?" he asked in a guarded undertone.
"Yes, brother; have they gone ?" "Some time ago.

Is mother asleep ?" "She was asleep before they came, utterly worn out.

I am glad she knows nothing of the cause of their visit.

And what of Monteith ?" "He is many miles away, and still riding hard." "Will they pursue him ?" "Let them do so if they wish, they will have a fine time overtaking him," was the light reply of the brother, who, leaning over in the gloom, affectionately kissed his sister good-night..