Pete's description of the appearance of the man left this identification beyond all dispute.

He had been stricken down by a savage blow, which had literally crushed in one side of his head, but his dead hands yet gripped a rifle, as though he had fallen fighting to the last.
The other man, the one lying across the threshold, had been shot, although I did not ascertain this fact until after I turned the body over sufficiently to reveal the face.

This was disfigured by the wound and covered with blood, so that the features could scarcely be seen, yet I instantly recognized the fellow--Carver.

Surprised out of all control by this unexpected discovery, I steadied myself against the log wall, fully aroused to the sinister meaning of his presence.

To a degree the complete significance of this tragedy instantly gripped my mind.