When, finally, he turned his back and looked at his fire, Eve rose and stood between the two big pines. Behind one of them she placed her rifle.
It was growing lighter in the woods. She could see Quintana in the fire ring and outside, — saw him go to the spring rivulet, lie flat, drink, then, on his knees, wash face and hands in the icy water.
It became plain to her that he was nearly ready to depart. She watched him preparing. And now she could see him plainly, and knew him to be Quintana and no other.
He had a light basket pack. He put some articles into it, stretched himself and yawned, pulled on his hat, hoisted the pack and fastened it to his back, stood staring at the fire for a long time; then, with a sudden upward look at the zenith where a slight flush stained a cloud, he picked up his rifle.
At that moment Eve called to him in a clear and steady voice.
The effect on Quintana was instant; he was behind a tree before her voice ceased.
"Hallo! Hi! You over there!" she called again. "This is Eve Strayer. I'm looking for Clinch! He hasn't been home all night. Have you seen him?"
After a moment she saw Quintana's head watching her, — not at the shoulder-height of a man but close to the ground and just above the tree roots.
"Hey!" she cried. "What's the matter with you over there? I'm asking you who you are and if you've seen my father?"
After a while she saw Quintana coming toward her, circling, creeping swiftly from tree to tree.