It was said, indeed, that there existed no evidence of fires in the bush till men had come with their flocks.

But then there had been no smoking, no boiling of pots, no camping out, till men had come, and no matches.

Every one around might be sure that some particular fire had been the work of an incendiary, might be able to name the culprit who had done the deed; and yet no jury could convict the miscreant.
Watchfulness was the best security, watchfulness day and night till rain should come; and Heathcote calculated that it would be better for him that his enemies should know that he was watchful.

He would go up among them and show them that he was not ashamed to speak to them of his anxiety.

They could hear nothing by his coming which they did not already know.