once.
On he went, round the edge of the entire clearing; in and out, like some
madman running purposelessly in search of some phantasy of his brain.
There was no one there but himself, and the two still forms upon the
ground. Aim-sa was gone!

But he did not pause. His brain was in a tumult, there was no
reasoning in it. He searched everywhere. Bush that could conceal
nothing bigger than a beetle was examined; to his distorted fancy the
lightning-stricken tree presented a hiding-place. Further he
penetrated into the woods, but always only to return to his brother's
side, distraught, weary from loss of blood.

Gone! Aim-sa was gone!

At last he stood, an awesome figure, bloodstained, dishevelled. He was
at his brother's side as he had been a dozen times during his mad
search. It was as though he returned to the dead for company. But now,
at last, he moved away no more. He looked upon the pallid face and
staring, sightless eyes, and the red pool in which the body weltered.

There was a long pause, and the quiet set his pulses beating and his
ears drumming. Presently he turned away. But as by a magnet drawn, he
turned quickly again and his eyes once more rested upon his brother's
body. Then all in a moment a stifled cry broke from his lips, and,
throwing himself upon his knees, he thrust his arms about the dead.

Suffering as he was, he raised the body and nursed the almost severed
head. He muttered hoarsely, and his face was bent low till his own
dripping wound shed its sluggish tide to mingle with the blood of the
man he had slain.

Now, in his paroxysm of awful remorse, the woman was forgotten, and he
only realized the dread horror he had committed. He had slain his
brother! He was a murderer! For what?

At the thought he almost threw the body from him as he sprang to his
feet.

"No, no! not murder," he cried, in a choking voice. "It was fair fight."

Then, still looking down, he drew his foot back as though to kick the
stiffening clay. But the blow did not come, and, instead, he wrung his
hands at his sides like a child in distress. Harsh sobs broke tearless
from his lips; his breast heaved with inexpressible agony. Then he flung
himself face downwards upon the sodden earth, and his fingers dug into
the carpet of dead matter, clawing aimlessly.

The afternoon was well advanced when he moved again. He rose to his feet
without any warning, and the change in him was staggering. Now a gaunt,
grey-faced man lo