One explanation was that a stray bullet had killed Carter--in the excitement of a stampede the men were apt to shoot wildly at refractory steers.
But the theory of accident did not abide.

Halfway between Carter and the camp Sanderson came upon Bud.

Bud was lying in a huddled heap.

He had been shot from behind.

Later, continuing his ride to camp, Sanderson came upon the other men.
He found the Kid and the cook near the chuck wagon, Sogun and Andy were lying near the fire, whose last faint embers were sputtering feebly; Buck was some distance away, but he, too, was dead! Sanderson went from one to the other of the men, to make a final examination.