He resolved to go back to the spot where the track had been obliterated, by that of the flock of sheep; to make a wide circuit, and pick it up beyond and, if possible, follow it until he found them.

The difficulties were great, for the bush rangers had spared no pains in hiding their trail; keeping always upon hard, high ground, and at one time getting into the bed of a running stream, and following it for two miles before they again struck for their rendezvous.
However, step by step Jim had tracked them; sometimes losing the trail altogether, sometimes guided merely by a fresh-made scratch on the surface of a stone, or by a broken twig or bruised blade of grass.

At last, he traced it far out into the bush, many miles beyond the furthest range of settlements, and then he lost it altogether.

There had been a halt, for some time, at this spot.
Beyond this, Jim was entirely at fault.

He made circle after circle round the spot, but could find no trace whatever of their passage, and returned to the point where he had missed the trail.