“No danger come here afore light,” added Goodbrand. “They keep big watch an’ look for trail in mornin’!”
“Afore then, we’ll make indivors to help a boy that’s never flinched a duty on account of danger,” said Rhodan. “We’ll git to the gorge fust, an’ consider our plans.”
The mouth of this was soon reached. They stole cautiously up to the bivouac, guided only by sense of touch and a previous knowledge of the place. The darkness of midnight reigned. Goodbrand remained a short distance away, as sentinel. The rest sought for the victim of Hulet’s treachery; but for some time the search was vain. At last it was found and brought into a recess in the cliff where a torch had been lit. Exclamations of horror burst from the rangers as the light shone upon the body. It told a fearful story better than words could have done.
The victim had been mangled about the head, breast and arms by some wild beast—a panther, probably. It was well known this animal never preys upon a dead body! The inference was horrible! The animal must have hovered near, and, attracted by the smell of blood, attacked the unfortunate man while the latter was dying. His rifle was found discharged, and he had evidently made one desperate effort to keep the monster at bay!
The men looked at each other with faces blanched.
“The curse of every honest man light on the head of the wretch that caused this!” said Scarred Eagle, breathing hard. “But—ay, the wretch has gone to his account, an’ ’ll be judged accordin’ to his deeds. Take the body out, men, an’ place it where it’ll never be distarbed.”
They obeyed, with sad and gloomy feelings. The body was placed in one of the nooks with which the sides of the cliff abounded. This being securely closed, the midnight burial was over.
The rangers stood consulting with their leader, when suddenly Goodbrand came in.
“They comin’—find!” he said, excitedly. “We bes’ go quick, ’fore surround!”
They immediately glided out and passed down to the mouth of the gorge. Then, turning to the right, they struck into a narrow by-path leading to the rear of the high cliffs.