"I know," said Smith angrily. And the Baker's heart died within him. He saw his chum was failing fast. And going round the next bend of the creek, they trod in a pile of dust that rose beneath them. Smith went on blindly, but the Baker stayed with his heart in his mouth.
"My Gawd!" he said, and called to Smith, who came back. "What's them?" asked the Baker, and Smith went down on his knees.
"Ashes, by God!" he said in a loud voice, and then he fainted dead away.
It took the Baker half an hour to bring him to his senses.
"What's up?" asked Smith.
"You fainted, I guess," said the Baker. "But we must be near some people now."
And with Smith propped against a tree, they considered the matter in all its bearings.
"Black-fellows," said Smith. "How old is the fire do you think?"
But Mandeville shook his head.
"It's dead cold, and might 'ave bin 'ere a year.'