After leaving Vernon behind, Bass and the other four ex-guards walked straight away from the river. As they walked, they all commented on the number of trees and the high grass in the clearings. Bass, who was leading, was looking ahead and caught glimpses of mountains. He had no idea how far they were, but figured that they may find a cave for a temporary housing somewhere as they went toward the mountains. As they walked, they were all talking and joking and didn’t see any game at all. After walking about three miles, the mountains didn’t look any closer to Bass and, after a short break, the five men turned back toward the river.
When they were about a mile from the river, they ran into the forty-four, who had found a clearing that they liked and had started to make preparations to camp
