"Shall we ride through it or go round ?" Here was a difficulty, indeed.

The dog-town lay directly between them and the butte.

To keep straight forward they would have to ride through it.

That would impede them to a considerable extent, as they could only ride slowly and in zig-zag lines without danger.

To go round it, on the other hand, might lead them miles out of the way--perhaps many miles-- for these marmot villages are frequently of large extent.
"Let us go south a bit," advised Lucien.