They clung to it, on and on, into the depths of the swamp, leading their followers through what had been considered impassable and impenetrable ways, and finally, around near the west entrance and into the swale.

Here the dogs bellowed, raved, and fell over each other in their excitement.

They raced back and forth from swamp to swale, but follow the scent farther they would not, even though cruelly driven.

At last their owner attributed their actions to snakes, and as they were very valuable dogs, abandoned the effort to urge them on.

So that all they really established was the fact that Black Jack had eluded their vigilance and crossed the trail some time in the night.