Before night came I must somehow gain possession of a rifle, with powder and ball; and I must discover, if possible, the fate of Mademoiselle.

I cannot describe how, like a frightened child, I shrank from going again amid those mutilated corpses.

I started twice, only to crawl back into the water, nerveless and shaking like the leaf of a cottonwood.

I knew it must be done, and that the sooner I attempted it the safer would be the trial; so at last, with set teeth and almost superhuman effort, I crept up the beach among the silent, disfigured dead once more.
With little trouble I found the wagon against which I had seen Mademoiselle draw back her horse in that last desperate defence.

It was overturned, scorched with flame, its contents widely scattered; while about it lay the bodies of men, women, and children.