His red eyes lost their fiery lustre.
His marrowless bones shook in their iron cage.
All was still, quiet and solitary as the grave.
Nought was heard—nothing was seen but a stray vulture as it circled in the air near by and pounced on the gibbet.
Wildfire Ned was astonished, but not dismayed.
He laughed aloud in wild derision, as he said,
“Tremble at thy presence? Never!”
The Red Man echoed the laugh in sepulchral tones.
Ned turned his head to look around.
Tim had left him, and was then madly galloping away.