It was one of the most gruesome ornaments Aldous had ever seen.

It was in the form of a coiled and writhing serpent, wide enough to cover half of one's middle finger between the joints.

Again the eyes of the two men met, and again Aldous observed that strange, stunned look in the old hunter's face.
He turned and walked back toward the tent, MacDonald following him slowly, still staring, his long gaunt arms and hands hanging limply at his side.
Joanne heard them, and came out of the tent.

A choking cry fell from her lips when she saw MacDonald.

For a moment one of her hands clutched at the wet canvas of the tent, and then she swayed forward, knowing what John Aldous had in his hand.