His extraordinary fancy pictured to him every possibility, and so his courage was all the greater, because he had the strength to face them with a tranquil mind.
A flash in the thicket and a bullet struck on a rock near Robert, glanced off and buried itself in a tree beyond them.

He shivered a little.

Fancy pictured the bullet not as missing, but as hitting him.
Then he steadied himself, and was as ready as Willet or Black Rifle for whatever might come.
"I think that shot was fired by a sharpshooter who has crept forward ahead of the others," whispered the hunter.

"He's lying behind that low bush to the west." "I'm of your mind about it," said Black Rifle.

"As soon as he reloads he'll chance another shot at where he thinks we're lying, and that will be his last." Robert heard the low words, and he shivered again a little.