Then I went back to where you struck into the woods.

An' I waited there all afternoon till dark, expectin' mebbe they'd back-trail.

But they didn't.

I rode on a ways an' camped in the woods till jest before daylight." "So far so good," declared Dale.
"Shore.

There's rough country south of Baldy an' along the two or three trails Anson an' his outfit will camp, you bet." "It ain't to be thought of," muttered Dale, at some idea that had struck him.
"What ain't ?" "Goin' round the north side of Baldy." "It shore ain't," rejoined Roy, bluntly.
"Then I've got to hide tracks certain--rustle to my camp an' stay there till you say it's safe to risk takin' the girls to Pine." "Milt, you're talkin' the wisdom of the prophets." "I ain't so sure we can hide tracks altogether.