During the night he had traveled at disadvantage, and taken a round-about way without being aware of it.
He was mistaken also in supposing that the pursuit would be easily abandoned.

Mining communities could not afford to condone theft, nor were they disposed to facilitate the escape of the thief.

More than once the murderer had escaped, while the thief was pursued relentlessly.

All this made Hogan's position a perilous one.

If he had been long enough in the country to understand the feeling of the people, he would not have ventured to steal the nugget.
About eleven o'clock Hogan sat down to rest.