human
How many sheep do you think have gone along the track you are following?
gpt
About thirty sheep, and three black fellow.
human
How do you know there are three black fellows, Jim? I can see marks, sometimes, of the sheep's feet; but I have not seen a man's footprint at all.
gpt
Jim see 'em, captain, plain enough. When dey all follow sheep, not very plain to see; but sometimes, when de sheep want to scatter, Jim see one footmark on one hand and one on the other, and sure to be one man behind.
human
How far are the sheep ahead, Jim, have you any idea?
gpt
Six, eight hours, sar, when dey pass here; but dere's no saying how far they are, now. May be long way on, may be only little way. Me tink dat they hab not gone so berry far; dat smoke berry thin, not see him more than ten miles.
human
I wish you had said that before, Jim, Reuben said.
gpt
We would have kept together and have galloped on, and taken our chance of finding them.
human
Might have found four or five of dem, Jim replied,
gpt
No, you are right there, Jim. We must catch them all together, if we can. There are some twelve hundred sheep, somewhere ahead. Mr. Blount said there were about fifteen hundred driven off. We have come upon a hundred dead ones, and two or three hundred may have taken that turn to the right. As you say, it would be no good coming upon thirty.
human
It is six o'clock, Reuben said, looking at his watch.
gpt
We will halt, now, and light that fire.