seemed to disappear.

Bart Woodlaw remained motionless for a few moments, and then, as he more
fully realised his duties, he walked slowly to where the horses were
tethered, patted each in turn, the gentle animals responding with a low
sigh as they pressed their heads closely to the caressing hand.
Satisfied that the tethering ropes were safe, and dreading no hostile
visit that might result in a stampede, the guardian of the little camp
walked slowly to where the fire emitted a faint glow; and, feeling
chilly, he was about to throw on more wood, when it occurred to him that
if he did so, the fire would show out plainly for a distance of many
miles, and that it would serve as a sign to invite enemies if any were
within eyeshot, so he preferred to suffer from the cold, and, drawing
his blanket round him, he left the fire to go out.

Bart had been watching the stars for about an hour, staring at the
distant plain, and trying to make out what was the real shape of a pile
of rock that sheltered them on the north, and which seemed to stand out
peculiarly clear against the dark sky, when, turning sharply, he brought
his rifle to the ready, and stood, with beating heart, staring at a tall
dark figure that remained motionless about a dozen yards away.

It was so dark that he could make out nothing more, only that it was a
man, and that he did not move.

The position was so new, and it was so startling to be out there in the
wilds alone as it were--for the others were asleep--and then to turn
round suddenly and become aware of the fact that a tall dark figure was
standing where there was nothing only a few minutes before, that in
spite of a strong effort to master himself, Bart Woodlaw felt alarmed in
no slight degree.

His first idea was that this must be an enemy, and that he ought to
fire. If an enemy, it must be an Indian; but then it did not look like
an Indian; and Bart knew that it was his duty to walk boldly up to the
figure, and see what the danger was; and in this spirit he took one step
forward, and then stopped,--for it was not an easy thing to do.

The night seemed to have grown blacker, but there was the dark figure
all the same, and it seemed to stand out more plainly than before, but
it did not move, and this gave it an uncanny aspect that sent something
of a chill through the watcher's frame.

At last he mastered himself, and, with rifle held ready, walked boldly
towards the figure, believing that it was