He knew that she was not in immediate danger, while the others might even now be falling beneath the blows of the savages.
He hesitated no longer.
It was his duty to try and succor those in the most imminent danger, first.
After all it might prove that he was mistaken, but it was impressed upon him that he had decided right.
With one more glance at the trail plainly marked by the footprints of Ruth, he took the other, and hurried on at the top of his speed.
He felt now that the lives of at least three depended upon his movements, and that it was no time to let the grass grow under his feet.
The sun sunk lower and lower as he bounded onward, and at last it was hidden by the treetops.
Night was now fast coming on, and the trail would be hidden from his gaze.
Little more than a half-hour of daylight remained to him, and every instant of the time must be improved, if he hoped to accomplish the work he had laid out for himself.
As soon as the darkness was down it would be impossible for him to follow the trail.