Carter had not been in the path of the herd.
What, then, had happened to him?
Sanderson dismounted and went to his knees beside the man.

At first he could see no sign of anything that might have caused death--for Carter was undoubtedly dead--and already stiffening! Then he saw a red patch staining the man's shirt, and he examined it.

Carter had been shot.
Sanderson stood up and looked around.

There was no one in sight.

He mounted Streak and began to ride toward the camp, for he felt that Carter's death had resulted from an accident.