Suddenly John Coleman turned and spoke to the Professor quite excitedly. "Capt'in," he said, "take that big glass of yourn and look just inside that window whar that rafter hangs." He pointed with his lean finger at the opposite cliff, and his hand was trembling.
The Professor looked through his glass.
"See anything?" asked the guide, his voice almost quivering.
"Yes," said the Professor, "I see something red."
Coleman drew a long breath. "It's thar yet," he whispered. He turned and looked at the group gathered about him as if frightened; then he spoke, still beneath his breath, "I put it thar."
The Professor started. "You! you!" he began, but the guide interrupted him.
"Yes, fifteen year ago las' spring I've bin thar" (with a wave of his arm), "and I've seen things."
The boys stepped forward, and Professor Jensen lowered his glass and glanced at the guide from head to foot.
"Tell us," he said, quietly, raising his hand to keep the boys from speaking.
The tall man was fairly trembling now. "You won't believe me," he faltered; "they never will."