Chapter VII
THE FOREST VIGIL
MILLER had no doubts from the first. He called with a queer catch in his voice :
“Jake!”
But Jake did not answer. The tortured posture cried out the reason.
Miller put his hand unsteadily on Morgan’s shoulder.
“Go ahead,” he said hoarsely. “Let’s see. Let’s do—”
“Dol” Morgan echoed. “There’s nothing to do. He’s dead. Here—”
His voice broke off. He stepped forward haltingly. They reached the body and stared down at it with eyes that sought hope hopelessly.
There was no doubt as to the cause of death. The left trouser leg was drawn up. Two holes showed above the ankle. It was easy to reconstruct the tragedy.
Jake had heard enough about rattlesnakes since he had been on Captain’s Island to snatch at his only chance. So, instead of attempting to run to
