Even as he asked the question, he again saw the man moving beyond the window.
Frank thrust the rifle across the horse, resting it on the animal's body. Then he got into a position where he could take good aim, and then waited again.
The sun was touching the mountain-tops when beyond the window Merry saw the head of a man.
Then the clear report of his rifle rang through the valley. The puff of smoke from the muzzle blotted out the window for a moment. When it floated away the window was empty.
"Did I reach him?" thought Frank anxiously.
He felt that he had not missed, and still he could not be sure. He did not venture to rise from behind the horse. In case he had missed, he might fall before a second bullet from the hut.
The sun went down behind the mountains, flinging a hundred golden and crimson banners into the sky. Finally these began to fade, and a few stars peeped forth palely.
"If somebody's watching for me there," thought Merry, "it's going to be dangerous to move, at best."
But something told him his lead had not gone astray.