Rhett does not understand the expression on the women's faces through the window, but he does identify them as the lost reporter and her vitriolic camera woman! HE HAS FOUND THEM.
Once he has confirmed that both are grumpy and drunk but neither are injured, Rhett climbs out of the ditch using the roots of felled trees (thank you for your sacrifice, trees). He is covered in mud.
Rhett retrieves the tow rope and attaches it to the back of their car. To save Stanley (Rhett's borrowed vehicle) from needing a serious interior cleaning, Rhett sacrifices his rain poncho. He uses the tow rope to pull the reporters car from the ditch and is 100% successful.