Far away stretched the landscape of bush and hills, and he could barely see his hand before his face.
As he stood beneath the darkened heavens, with his senses on the alert, he believed that some piece of deviltry was afoot and that it behooved him to be watchful.
For an hour he stood beside the horse like a statue and listened to the calls of the night birds across the country.
He could not see the lights in the ranch house, and this only served to make his position the more dangerous.
Suddenly, however, he heard a slight noise, and then a figure appeared almost at his feet, as if it had risen from the ground.
"Hush! not a sound," said a low voice, as a hand fell upon his arm. "It is I—Stareyes."
Old Broadbrim, with a start, looked down into the face of the avenging girl, which was pressed close to his, and for a moment he did not reply.
"You are in danger here," continued Stareyes. "The knife has been sharpened and the blade is about to fall."
"I thought as much when they placed me here."
"They have trapped Waters. He is in the underground dungeon now and cannot escape."