Why had that girl shot that bird, anyway?
Was it entirely because she might need it for food?
She had picked it up significantly with the other things, and fastened it to her saddle-bow without a word.

He was too ignorant to know whether it was an edible bird or not, or she was merely carrying it to remind him of her skill.
And what sort of a girl was she?
Perhaps she was escaping from justice.
She ran from him yesterday, and apparently stopped only when utterly exhausted.

She seemed startled and anxious when the antelopes came into sight.

There was no knowing whether her company meant safety, after all.
Yet his interest was so thoroughly aroused in her that he was willing to risk it.
Of course he might go more slowly and gradually, let her get ahead, and he slip out of sight.

It was not likely he had wandered so many miles away from human habitation but that he would reach one sometime; and, now that he was re-enforced by food, perhaps it would be the part of wisdom to part with this strange maiden.