"Tush, you owe me nothing," interrupted Norton, bewildered. "Then the Regulators followed us after all?"
"Yes. Audubon met them at Henderson, read the forged note, and followed us in another boat. He was too late. They found Brookfield's craft burned to the edge and at length picked up the trail and came on. Tecumthe and his warriors had already departed—but let me show you something."
While Moore was still fumbling in his pocket, Audubon stepped into the shack. He gripped Norton's hand, and the two friends looked at each other for a moment, until Norton got out a low word.
"Thanks, my friend! I hoped you would come——"
"We did nothing," smiled Audubon gravely. "The work was done, and we could but bury the dead and care for the living. If he is able to be moved, Captain Moore, we had best start soon that we may reach the river by evening. The litter is ready."
Moore bent his head in a gesture of assent.
"Very well, bring the litter here to the door and we will start. Waken Kitty."
"Yes," added Norton eagerly. "Is she well?"
"Quite," laughed Audubon, and stepped from the door. "She has been nursing you."
With his departure, Moore stooped and placed something in Norton's hand. The Louisianian gazed at it with a thrill of remembrance. It was the golden eagle belonging to Kitty.