Not a breath of air stirred the motionless cedars.
Cautiously he circled the black cabin, every nerve taut for struggle, every sense alert.

He found nothing to reward his search--whoever the coward had been, he had disappeared among the rocks, vanishing completely in the black night.

The fellow had not even waited to learn the effect of his shot.

He had fired pointblank into the lighted room, sighting at Westcott's head, and then ran, assured no doubt the speeding bullet had gone straight to the mark.

It was not until he came back to the open door that the miner thought of his companion.
What had become of Jose?
Could it be that the Mexican was hit?
He entered, shrinking from the task, yet resolute to learn the truth; felt his way along the wall as far as the fireplace, and stirred the embers into flame.