Slone imagined that the great stallion had been daunted by the tremendous chasm, but had finally faced it, meaning to put this obstacle between him and his pursuers.

It never occurred to Slone to attribute less intelligence to Wildfire than that.
So, dismounting, Slone took Nagger's bridle and started down.

The mustang with the pack was reluctant.

He snorted and whistled and pawed the earth.

But he would not be left alone, so he followed.
The trail led down under cedars that fringed a precipice.