But Ellen was not convinced that he could ever elude a real woodsman.

Not improbably, however, Colter was only aiming to leave a trail difficult to follow and which would allow him and his confederates ample time to forge ahead of pursuers.
Ellen could not accept a certainty of pursuit.

Yet Colter must have expected it, and Springer and Wells also, for they had a dark, sinister, furtive demeanor that strangely contrasted with the cool, easy manner habitual to them.
They were not seeking the level routes of the forest land, that was sure.

They rode straight across the thick-timbered ridge down into another canyon, up out of that, and across rough, rocky bluffs, and down again.

These riders headed a little to the northwest and every mile brought them into wilder, more rugged country, until Ellen, losing count of canyons and ridges, had no idea where she was.