Death had been instantaneous; possibly he never knew what hit him.

We examined the wound, and then looked into each others' faces utterly unable to account for the condition.
"By Gad, I don't see how he ever got that," said Hardy.

"Nor this ugly cut here on the forehead.

What do you make out of it, Galesworth ?" I shook my head, thoroughly mystified.
"I've told you all I know; he was lying there in the open when I found him--there was nothing he could have struck against in falling." "That was a blow struck him," insisted the sergeant, "either by a square-handled pistol, or a carbine stock.

I've seen that sorter thing before; but who the hell ever hit him ?" No one attempted to answer.