It seems Steve met them on the trail." George nodded.

Flett had arrived before he was expected, because Grant's messenger had been saved a long ride to his station.
"Well ?" he said.
"When we couldn't find the buck, Flett sent his partner off to pick up his trail, and then said we'd better take the team along and look for you.

I left where the trail forks; he was to wait a bit.

Now, do you think you can get up ?" George did so, and managed with some assistance to climb the slope, where his companion left him and went off for the constable.

Flett arrived presently, and made George tell his story.
"The thing's quite plain," he said.