I wondered if they had camped where they could see the smoke of our fire, or hear our voices or the other sounds we made.
I almost wished that they might.

I had now in a dim, determined, stubborn way claimed this girl in my heart for my own; and I felt without really thinking of it, that I could best foreclose my lien by defeating all comers before I dragged her yielding to my cave.

It is the way of all male animals--except spiders, perhaps, and bees--and a male animal was all that I was that morning.

I picked up my gun and told her that I must find out where those men were before breakfast.
"No, no!" said she anxiously, "don't leave me! They might shoot you--and--then--" I smiled disdainfully.
"If there's any shooting to be done, I'll shoot first.

I won't let them see me, though; but I must find out what they are up to.