Wade had not followed it far before he became convinced that Belllounds had been looking in the thickets for cattle; and he had not climbed another mile through the aspens and spruce before he discovered that Belllounds was driving cattle.

Thereafter Wade proceeded more cautiously.

If the long grass had not been wet he would have encountered great difficulty in trailing Belllounds.

Evidence was clear now that he was hiding the tracks of the cattle by keeping to the grassy levels and slopes which, after the sun had dried them, would not leave a trace.

There were stretches where even the keen-eyed hunter had to work to find the direction taken by Belllounds.