Communing thus with himself, the scout moved cautiously forward toward the spot from whence the light proceeded.
It was on the line of the trail he had followed, and there was no doubt in his mind that it marked the spot where the savages were.
With footsteps so light that they gave out not the slightest sound, he approached to within a half-dozen rods of the spot from whence the light proceeded.
Here he paused and took in the scene which lay before him.
In a little hollow a camp-fire was kindled, and about it he counted seven savages.
The body of a deer lay beside it, and they were engaged in cutting huge slices therefrom and roasting them over the fire.
The light of the fire flashed out upon either side, but to the dismay of the scout, he could see nothing of the captives on either hand.
A sudden fear took possession of his mind.
Could it be that he was too late?
Had the red-skins already accomplished their terrible work?