They will know that we have got nigh twelve hours' start of them, and though they may start off fast at first, they will soon settle down into a pace that they can keep up all day." After journeying for three hours they came upon the spot where two other ravines fell into that along which they were journeying.
"Let us hold a council," Dave said.

"Now, what do you think had best be done--push straight forward or take one of these other gulches ?" "They seem to run back almost the same line as that ye have been following," Dick said.
"All the better, lad.

They will be less inclined to think that we have taken it.

What do you say, Zeke ?" "I think we had better push straight on, Dave.

If they were coming along in the dark it would be a different thing; but they would not go a horse's length afore they missed our tracks, and even if we muffle the critters' feet, they are strong enough to send a party each way." "So they are, Zeke; but it would be a sight better to fight a third of them than the hull lot." "I think that it would be better to push on, Dave," Boston Joe said.
"There ain't no saying where these narrow valleys lead, they wind and double every way; besides, they are dry, so I says let us push on till we get into one of the main valleys." "Well, we will do it, Joe; anyhow, we may as well do as I say and muffle their feet.