Crockett stood faithful at his post for half an hour, carefully scanning the clearing, forgetful of the absent Bungslager, and Sebastian, and of his own danger, and intent only upon seeing the animal which he had hunted with so much zest in the years past in the wilds of his own Tennessee.
But nothing more of the huge creature was seen, and turning disappointedly away, he and Katrina walked back in the wood, resumed their seats, and awaited the coming of the young Texan.
About an hour had passed, and they were beginning to feel some solicitude for the safety of the Texan himself, when he reappeared as silently as an Indian hunter.
But he was alone.
"Have you learned nothing of him?" inquired the trembling Katrina, hastening to her lover.
"Nothing at all," was the reply, as he took her two hands, and kissed her face. "I went back for nearly a mile, and called to him a dozen times, but heard and saw nothing at all that could give me the least clue to his disappearance."
The poor girl covered her face and gave a wail of despair.
"Did you see nothing of the varmints?" inquired Crockett.
"No; I hardly know what to make of it; I am quite puzzled at the turn affairs have taken."
So were they all, and the question remained: