In several places there were mere evidences of words, now entirely illegible.

But what first held the attention of Rod and his companions were several lines in writing under the rough sketch on the bark, still quite plain, which formed the names of three men.

Roderick read them aloud.
"John Ball, Henri Langlois, Peter Plante." Through the name of John Ball had been drawn a broad black line which had almost destroyed the letters, and at the end of this line, in brackets, was printed a word in French which Wabi quickly translated.
"Dead!" he breathed.

"The Frenchmen killed him!" The words shot from him in hot excitement.
Rod did not reply.

Slowly he drew a trembling finger over the map.