To attempt any further advance would be madness, but he felt perfectly secure from molestation so long as he remained quietly on the north shore.

Those shots were merely a warning to keep back; the very fact that the men firing kept concealed was proof positive that they simply wished to be left alone.

They were not afraid of what he knew now, only desirous of not being seen.

Confident as to this, he retreated openly, without making the slightest effort to conceal his movements, until he had regained the scene of murder.

In evidence of the truth of his theory no further shots were fired, and although he watched that opposite sand bank carefully, not the slightest movement revealed the presence of others.