Neither was he in this vicinity any longer.

Topanashka felt that his task was done; he could not gain anything by proceeding farther.
"Kuawk, kuawk, kuawk!" sounded overhead.

A crow had been sitting quietly on the tree above him, but now it flew off again, the unlucky bird! Its cry startled the old man, and he raised his head to look after the herald of evil, following him with his eye.

All was still.

Then he rose to his knees.
A sharp humming twang, a hissing sound, and a thud followed in lightning-like succession.