And the man had come, now, to answer the call.

Cautiously, he went down the bank toward the edge of the dark, swirling water.

His purpose was unmistakable.

Nor was there any hint of faltering, now, in his manner.

He had reached his decision.
He knew what he had come to do.
The man's feet were feeling the mud at the margin of the stream when his legs touched something, and a low, rattling sound startled him.