Men had cut him off from the bluff, from the river, seemingly from all sides.

But he heard voices only from in front and toward his left.

Even if his passage to the river had not been blocked, it might just as well have been.
"Come on fellers--down hyar," called one man from the bluff.
"Got him corralled at last," shouted another.
"Reckon ye needn't be too shore.

We thought thet more'n once," taunted another.
"I seen him, I tell you." "Aw, thet was a deer." "But Bill found fresh tracks an' blood on the willows." "If he's winged we needn't hurry." "Hold on thar, you boys," came a shout in authoritative tones from farther up the bluff.

"Go slow.