She had not even moaned, although he had felt her breath upon his face.

Once he stumbled slightly over some fallen earth, and farther along a foot slipped on a treacherous stone, but the slight noise died unnoticed in the night.
It was farther to the gully than he had supposed; his heart was in his throat fearing he had missed it, half-believing the depression failed to extend to the base of the bluff.

Then his foot, exploring blindly, touched the edge of the bank.

Carefully he laid his burden down, placing his battered campaign hat beneath her head.

He bent over her again, assuring himself that she breathed regularly, and then crept down alone into the shallow ravine.
His nerves were like steel now, his hand steady, his heart beating without an accelerated throb.