His
features were drawn and haggard when the first gray dawn found ghastly
reflection along the opposite rock summit, and with blurred eyes he
watched the faint tinge of returning light steal downward into the
canyon. At last it swept aside those lower clinging mists, as though
some invisible hand had drawn back the night curtains, and he peered
over the edge of his narrow resting-place, gazing directly down upon
the scene of massacre. With a quick gasp of unspeakable horror he
shrank so sharply back as to cause the suddenly awakened girl to start
and glance into his face.
"What is it?" she questioned, with quick catching of breath, reading
that which she could not clearly interpret in his shocked expression.
"Nothing of consequence," and he faintly endeavored to smile. "I
suppose I must have been dreaming also, and most unpleasantly. No;
please do not look down; it would only cause your head to reel, and our
upward climb is not yet completed. Do you feel strong enough now to
make another attempt to reach the top?"
His quiet spirit of assured dominance seemed to command her obedience.
With a slight shudder she glanced doubtfully up the seemingly
inaccessible height.
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