With his fears all changed to convictions, he hurried on.

There was no living creature near the remains of the fire: animals, man, maiden, all were gone.

It was only too clear that some sudden and terrible disaster had occurred during his absence--a disaster which had embraced them all, and yet had left no traces behind it.
Bewildered and stunned by this blow, Jefferson Hope felt his head spin round, and had to lean upon his rifle to save himself from falling.

He was essentially a man of action, however, and speedily recovered from his temporary impotence.

Seizing a half-consumed piece of wood from the smouldering fire, he blew it into a flame, and proceeded with its help to examine the little camp.