And they knew that he would catch Wildfire or die in the attempt.

From that moment their attitude toward Slone changed as subtly as had come the knowledge of his feeling.

The gravity and gloom left their faces.

It seemed they might have regretted what they had said about the futility of catching Wildfire.

They did not want Slone to see or feel the hopelessness of his task.
"I tell you, Lin," said Bill, "your hoss Nagger's as good as when we started." "Aw, he's better," vouchsafed the other rider.