What would they do when they discovered the dead bodies ?--when they realized that others had eluded their vigilance during the night?
Would they be able to trace them, or would his ruse succeed?
Of course their savage cunning would track them as far as the river--there was no way in which he could have successfully concealed the trail made down the gully, or the marks left on the sandy bank.

But would they imagine he had dared to cross the broad stream, burdened with the girl, confronting almost certain death in the quicksand?
Would they not believe rather that he had waded along the water's edge headed west, hoping thus to escape to the bluffs, where some hiding-place might be found?
Even if they suspected a crossing, would any warriors among them be reckless enough to follow?
Would they not be more apt to believe that both fugitives had been sucked down into the treacherous stream?
Almost breathless Hamlin watched, these thoughts coursing through his mind, realizing the deadly trap in which they were caught, if the Indians suspected the truth and essayed the passage.

Behind them was sand, ridge after ridge, as far as the eye could discern, and every step they took in flight would leave its plain trail.

And now the test was at hand.
He saw them crowd about the coach, leaping and yelling with fury; watched them jerk open the door, and drag forth the two dead bodies, dancing about them, like so many demons, brandishing their guns.

A moment they were bunched thus, their wild yelling shrill with triumph; then some among them broke away, bending low as they circled in against the bluff.