Gerard shuddered at this ghastly salute.

So thoroughly had the gibbet, with its sickening load, seized and held their eyes, that it was but now they perceived a fire right underneath, and a living figure sitting huddled over it.

His axe lay beside him, the bright blade shining red in the glow.

He was asleep.
Gerard started, but Denys only whispered, "courage, comrade, here is a fire." "Ay! but there is a man at it." "There will soon be three;" and he began to heap some wood on it that the watcher had prepared; during which the prudent Gerard seized the man's axe, and sat down tight on it, grasping his own, and examining the sleeper.

There was nothing outwardly distinctive in the man.