Their reason was twofold, as we soon knew.

Far off down the valley which they were crossing we saw signs of persons coming in haste, who must be of the search party coming from the north.

Though the trees hid them, we could not mistake the signs.

I was myself forester enough to have no doubt.
Again, it was evident that the young Voivodin could travel no longer at the dreadful pace at which they had been going.

Those blood-marks told their own tale! They meant to make a last stand here in case they should be discovered.
Then it was that he, who amongst us all had been most fierce and most bent on rapid pursuit, became the most the calm.