It was a groan, a human groan, emanating from a spot but a few feet away.

He took a single step in that direction; then hesitated, fearful of some trap; in the silence as he stood there poised, he could faintly distinguish the sound of some one breathing unnaturally.
"Who is there?
Who moaned just now ?" he asked, struggling to control his voice.
"I did," the answer was a mere husky whisper out of the darkness.
"Masters, the watchman; but who are you?
I don't know your voice." "It makes no difference; are you hurt?
Where are you?
How can I get a light ?" "Yes, sir; I'm about done for I guess; you're over by the door, ain't you?
There's a hangin' lantern just up above, if you've got a match with you.

Say, that looks good; I didn't hardly know but I was dead, it was so black.

But I never saw you before; how did you get aboard here ?" The flame of the match caught the wick, and flared up, throwing a dim illumination over the cabin interior.

West drew down the glass, before he ventured to glance in the direction of the voice.