After the capture of Patsy Daley and flushed with renewed vigour, Sir Frederick was soon back in the Wheogo area in search of Ben Hall, whom Pottinger once more came into close contact with at Sandy Creek station. It would appear that Ben Hall was either camped near or was staying at his former home and was being supplied with victuals and other comforts by Susan Prior and Ellen MaGuire. Whether Ben Hall understood or even contemplated at this early stage when he was crossing the lawful line to the unlawful line Ben Hall could have handed himself over to the law, no doubt for Ben Hall a custodial sentence would have been imposed, it was possible for Hall that a lenient sentence may have been brought down through Hall's good character references, as has been testified too by his esteemed friends from the district published in the many accounts of his fall from grace.