In the grass he crawled silently away to the right, using the same precaution that had actuated him on the slope, only here he did not pause so often, nor move so slowly.

Jean aimed to go far enough to the right to pass the end of the embankment behind which the rustlers had found such efficient cover.

This ditch had been made to keep water, during spring thaws and summer storms, from pouring off the slope to flood the corrals.
Jean miscalculated and found he had come upon the embankment somewhat to the left of the end, which fact, however, caused him no uneasiness.
He lay there awhile to listen.

Again he heard voices.

After a time a shot pealed out.