He recognized those tracks.

Jack Belllounds was with the rustlers, come, no doubt, to receive his pay.
Then the change in Wade, and the actions of a trailer of men, became more singularly manifest.

He reverted to some former habit of mind and body.

He was as slow as a shadow, absolutely silent, and the gaze that roved ahead and all around must have taken note of every living thing, of every moving leaf or fern or bough.

The hound, with hair curling up stiff on his back, stayed close to Wade, watching, listening, and stepping with him.