And they were safe.
As he worked, his mind became more than ever set upon the resolution to take no chances.

He paused in his whistling for a moment to laugh softly and exultantly as he thought of the years of experience which were his surest safeguard now.

He had become almost uncannily expert in all the finesse and trickery of his craft of hunting human game, and he knew what the man-hunters would do and what they would not do.

He had them checkmated at the start.

And, besides--with Kedsty, O'Connor, and himself gone--the Landing was short-handed just at present.