k--hunting
after men out of bounds, possibly--but, later than eleven o'clock,
there were no more callers. Soon after that hour the light within was
turned low.

All the while I remained there, motionless, intently watchful for every
movement about me, with Tim peacefully asleep on the leaves, my thought
was with Eloise Beaucaire, and my mind torn with doubt as to the wisdom
of my choice. Had I determined on the right course? Was there nothing
else I could do? Was it best for me to thus rely on my own efforts? or
should I have sought the assistance of others? Yet where could I turn?
How could I gain in time such assistance? I realized in those moments
that selfishness, love, personal desire, had very largely influenced me
in my decision; I was eager to rescue her alone, by my own efforts,
unaided. I had to confess this to be my secret purpose. I could dream
of nothing else, and was actually unwilling to share this privilege
with any other. I felt she belonged to me; determined she should
belong to me. From that instant when I became convinced that she was
of white blood--that no hideous barrier of race, no stain of dishonor,
held us apart--she had become my one ambition. I not only knew that I
loved her; but I believed almost as strongly that she loved me. Every
glance of her eyes, each word she had spoken, remained indelibly in my
memory. And beyond doubt she thought me dead. Kirby would have told
her that both men in the wrecked boat went down. It would be to his
advantage to impress this on her mind, so as thus to emphasize her
helplessness, and cause her to realize that no one knew of her
predicament. What an awakening it would be when she again recognized
me as actually alive, and beside, her. Surely in that moment I should
read the whole truth in those wonderful eyes, and reap my reward in her
first impulse of gratitude. It was not in nature to share such a
moment with another; I wanted it for myself, alone.

It was nearly twelve before even the slightest sound near at hand
indicated the approach of others. I was already in an agony of
suspense, imagining something might have gone wrong, when the dull
scuffling of horses' hoofs being led cautiously up the trail to my
right, broke the intense silence. I listened to assure myself, then
shook Tim into wakefulness, leaving him still blinking in the shadow of
the stump, while I advanced in the direction of the spring. Suddenly
the darker shape of