Someone sprang to bring that, and another to break open the case for brandy.
As McLean arose from binding Wessner, there was a cry that Jack was escaping.
He was already far in the swamp, running for its densest part in leaping bounds.

Every man who could be spared plunged after him.
Other members of the gang arriving, were sent to follow the tracks of the wagons.

The teamsters had driven from the west entrance, and crossing the swale, had taken the same route the Bird Woman and the Angel had before them.

There had been ample time for the drivers to reach the road; after that they could take any one of four directions.
Traffic was heavy, and lumber wagons were passing almost constantly, so the men turned back and joined the more exciting hunt for a man.
The remainder of the gang joined them, also farmers of the region and travelers attracted by the disturbance.
Watchers were set along the trail at short intervals.

They patrolled the line and roads through the swamp that night, with lighted torches, and the next day McLean headed as thorough a search as he felt could be made of one side, while Duncan covered the other; but Black Jack could not be found.