being seen. Confident as to this, he retreated openly, without making the
slightest effort to conceal his movements, until he had regained the scene
of murder. In evidence of the truth of his theory no further shots were
fired, and although he watched that opposite sand bank carefully, not the
slightest movement revealed the presence of others. That every motion he
made was being observed by keen eyes he had no doubt, but this knowledge
did not disconcert him, now that he felt convinced fear of revealment
would keep his watchers at a safe distance. Whoever they mignt be they
were evidently more anxious to escape discovery than he was fearful of
attack, and possessed no desire to take his life, unless it became
necessary to prevent recognition. They still had every reason to believe
their attack on the wagons would be credited to hostile Indians, and would
consider it far safer to remain concealed, and thus harbor this
supposition. They could not suspect that Keith had already stumbled upon
the truth, and was determined to verify it.

Secure in this conception of the situation, yet still keeping a wary eye
about to guard against any treachery, the plainsman, discovering a spade
in the nearest wagon, hastily dug a hole in the sand, wrapped the dead
bodies in blankets, and deposited them therein, piling above the mound the
charred remains of boxes as some slight protection against prowling
wolves. He searched the clothing of the men, but found little to reward
the effort, a few letters which were slipped into his pockets to be read
later, some ordinary trinkets hardly worth preserving except that they
might assist in identifying the victims, and, about the neck of the elder
man, a rather peculiar locket, containing a portrait painted on ivory.
Keith was a long time opening this, the spring being very ingeniously
concealed, but upon finally succeeding, he looked upon the features of a
woman of middle age, a strong mature face of marked refinement,
exceedingly attractive still, with smiling dark eyes, and a perfect wealth