Yet if the frozen man could be left in the hut to take care of himself and the ponies, would there be any hope of success in an effort to proceed up the river on foot?
He could make Hughes go--that was n't the difficulty--but probably they could n't cover five miles a day through the snowdrifts.
And, even if they did succeed in getting through in time to intercept the fugitives, the others would possess every advantage--both position for defense, and horses on which to escape.

Hughes, lighting his pipe, confident now in his own mind that he was personally safe, seemed to sense the problem troubling the Sergeant.
"I reckon I know this yere kintry well 'nough," he said lazily, "ter give yer a pointer er two.

I 've rounded up long-horns west o' yere.
Them fellers ain't goin' to strike out fer the Canadian till after the storm quits.

By thet time yer ponies is rested up in better shape than theirs will be, and we kin strike 'cross to the sou'west.

We 're bound either to hit 'em, or ride 'cross thar trail." "But the woman!" protested Hamlin, striding across the floor.