He hoped it was Tavish returning.

For several moments he listened with his back to the cabin.

Then he turned.
He was very close to the thing hanging from the sapling.

It was swinging slightly.

The moon shone on it, and then--Great God! A face--a human face! A face, bearded, with bulging, staring eyes, gaping mouth--a grin of agony frozen in it! And it was tapping, tapping, tapping! He staggered back with a dreadful cry.