At first, Sauron was aware of a hobbit that carried the Ring. He did not know him by sight, until Pippin looked into the Palantir. This was the reason for Gandalf's flight with him. if they had journeyed slowly, Sauron would have sent the Nazgul to capture him.
What you all seem to forget is that at the time when Frodo was crawling into Mordor, Aragorn showed himself to Sauron in the same Palatir that Pippin had. This led Sauron to believe that the Ring had been delivered into the hands of his enemy, the Last Heir to The Throne of Gondor, rightful King of the World, and Heir to Isildur who chopped the Ring from Sauron's finger. And Aragorn was strong enough to use it.
When Sam is detected and Frodo taken, it is thought that a hobbit and an Elf Warrior have snuck in to spy upon Sauron, not to return the Ring. Sauron proves his worry about Aragorn by redoubling his efforts to stop Aragorn at Minas Tirith, the city he would most likely rule from.
[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: Tirned Tinnu ]
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'Perilous indeed,' said Aragorn, 'fair and perilous; but only evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them. Follow me!'
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