He examined the stains in the snow and found that they were still damp and unfrozen.

He was sure that the tragedy had occurred less than an hour before.

More cautiously, and yet swifter than before, he followed the trail of the sledge, his rifle held in readiness for a shot at any moment.

The path became wilder and in places it seemed almost inaccessible.

But between the tumbled mass of rock the sledge had found its way, its savage driver not once erring in his choice of the openings ahead.