Chapter 13: Bush Rangers. 

As soon as it became dark, the journey was renewed. 

"Now, Jim, you must keep your eyes well open," Reuben said. "There is no saying when we may come upon them, now." 

"I tink dey not berry far off, sah. Dose sheep too tired to go far. Black fellow glad to stop and rest, when he see no one coming after him. 

"De ground more up and down here. Must no make noise. May come upon dem sudden." 

It was nearly midnight when Jim suddenly halted. 

"What is it, Jim?" Reuben asked, in a low voice. 

Jim stood sniffing the air. 

"Me smell fire, captain." 

Reuben sniffed the air, but shook his head. 

"I don't smell anything, Jim." 

"I smell him, sah, sure enough; not very close, perhaps, but in de air." 

"What is it, Captain Whitney?" Mr. Blount asked, as he came forward and joined them. 

"Jim says he smells fire, but I can't smell it." 

"Oh, you can trust Jim's nose," the settler said. "It is wonderful how keen is the scent of these natives. They are like dogs in that respect; and can perceive the smell of a fire, when the wind brings it down to them, miles away." 

"Dis way now, sah," Jim said, turning off to the left, at right angles to the course which they had been pursuing. "Smell come down the wind, dat's sartin. We follow him far enough, we sure to catch dem." 

For fully two miles, Reuben followed the black without speaking. Then he said: 
Are they looking for someone?
I smell him, sah, sure enough; not very close, perhaps, but in de air." 