At last the sound could be heard no longer, and Reuben was reluctantly obliged to give the order to halt; for he feared he might override the trail.
"It is no use," he said, as he reined in his horse.

"They will know as well as we do that they are out of hearing now, and might turn off anywhere.

It is terribly annoying.

We are too late to save the station, and the bush rangers have escaped.
"However, we will take up their trail as soon as it is daylight.
Indeed, I am expecting every moment to be joined by Jim, who is sure to be somewhere near, and can perhaps guide us direct to their hiding place." Deeply disappointed, the party dismounted from their horses.
"The scoundrels must have had someone on the watch," Reuben said, "or they would never have taken the alarm so soon.

I am sorry, now, that we did not send a party round to the other side before we charged down upon them; but my blood was on fire at the sight of the burning station, and at the thought of the women in the hands of those scoundrels." A minute later, a man rode up at full speed from behind.
"Is that you, Jones ?" Reuben said, stepping forward.
"Yes, sir," the man replied, reining in his horse.