He paused, and sat for some time lost in thought, a pitiable object of despair. Natsatt did not dare to disturb him, and neither did he wish to do so. That bent head, with the hair so white and thin touched him deeply. He longed to go to him, place his arms about him, and tell him how he sympathised with him in his trouble. But he shrank back at the idea, feeling sure that the sorrowing Ranger would resent such an act. At length Dan lifted his head and looked into Natsatt's face.
"Did the girl tell you how Klota died?" he asked. "Did she give any details?"
"Yes. She said the Chilcats did it."
At this the old man leaped to his feet. His weakness had disappeared. His appearance at this moment caused the young man to step back a pace.
"The Chilcats, you say?" he demanded. "The Chilcats killed my Klota?"
"That is what Owindia said."
"And how did she know? Did any one see them do it? Tell me, quick."
"She saw the deed herself. She was there when it was done."
"God in heaven!" burst from the Ranger's lips. "It must be true. And those brutes killed my only child, my darling Klota, and I was not there to save her! But surely others must have been there besides the girl. How did she escape?"
"Her father arrived, and meted out a speedy revenge to one of the Chilcats, and the other got away. There were only two of them."