Each of the three elder was using eyes and ears to the utmost.
The sharp crack of a rifle broke the silence, not more than a hundred yards to the right of them.

Everyone started except Omas, who acted as if he did not hear the report.

He made no change in his pace, and so far as the others could see in the gloom, did not turn his head.

They concluded, therefore, that no cause for alarm existed.
Fairly through the mountain spur and among the deep woods, the journey was pushed until the night was well along.

Suddenly, Omas made a short turn to the right and stopping in a hollow, where there were several large boulders, he said--"We stay here all night." The words were a surprise, for it was expected he would travel for a long time.