Well, I had gotten this far when I saw the missing steaks.

They rested on a tin pan on the ground in the thicket.

It looked as though the thief of our supper had gone away to get water or something.
I had just stepped, on tiptoe, of course, past this tree when I heard a soft step behind me.

Before I could turn, the noose was dropped over my head, and then down on my neck.

It was jerked tight, like a flash, and I was pulled against this tree.