Norton awoke, with the strange and persistent idea that the face of Audubon was bending over him. It was nonsense, of course; he turned his head, and saw that he lay quite alone, opposite a doorway. The sun was warm and bright outside.
What of that horrible nightmare, that hell of death and madmen, of which he had dreamed? The very remembrance brought out the cold sweat on his brow; he lifted his hand and found his head bandaged.
Yet, looking out that doorway, he slowly recalled what had happened on that night of horror, for he was gazing across the clearing where it had taken place. There was no doubt of it; a hundred yards away were the ruins of the burned building, the cache-barn; he himself, then, must be lying in that shack to which he had brought the women?
The place seemed deserted, however. There were no Indians in sight; no bodies strewed the clearing; everyone seemed to have vanished and left him alone in desolation. No—he was mistaken after all; a voice strangely like that of Audubon lifted faintly to him.
"—so do you see how he is, sir. I must look to the litter."
"Good heavens, am I mad?" thought Norton. He strained to sit up, but found himself too weak. An instant later a tall, stooping figure darkened the doorway and came to his side with a cry of joy.
For a moment Norton shrank away, not recognizing the man who had come to his knees beside the pallet. Yet—it must be! The shaggy hair was trimmed, the shaggy matted beard was gone; but from the heavily lined face, the deep-set eyes of Red Hugh were looking at him.
"Man—man—we thought you never would come round!" And Red Hugh clasped his hand in a warm pressure.
"By gad, what has happened to you?" Norton essayed a feeble smile of wonder. Then like a stab memory came back to him; this was no other than Captain Hugh Moore, the same who had been his own father's friend and brother-officer!
"Quiet!" commanded Moore sharply, as Norton struggled to sit up in his high excitement.
"Tell me quickly—are you the same Moore——"
"Yes, lad, the same." Moore forced him back on the pallet, yet with tender hands. "Oh, lad, had I but known before! Why on earth did you not tell me your story, tell me——"
"How should I know who you were?"
"True"—and the other nodded, his stern face very sad. "You said you came from New Orleans, too; I never dreamed of the truth until I had heard the tale from Kitty and Mr. Audubon——"
"For God's sake, tell me what has happened!" broke out Norton, unable to stand the suspense longer. "Is Audubon here?"
"Yes, Audubon came two days ago, bringing the Regulators——"
"How long have I been here?"
"It is three days since—since I shot you with my own hand," returned the other bitterly. "Oh lad, when I owe everything in the world to you, to think that I myself——"
"Tush, you owe me nothing," interrupted Norton, bewildered. "Then the Regulators followed us after all?"
"Yes. Audubon met them at Henderson, read the forged note, and followed us in another boat. He was too late. They found Brookfield's craft burned to the edge and at length picked up the trail and came on. Tecumthe and his warriors had already departed—but let me show you something."
While Moore was still fumbling in his pocket, Audubon stepped into the shack. He gripped Norton's hand, and the two friends looked at each other for a moment, until Norton got out a low word.
"Thanks, my friend! I hoped you would come——"
"We did nothing," smiled Audubon gravely. "The work was done, and we could but bury the dead and care for the living. If he is able to be moved, Captain Moore, we had best start soon that we may reach the river by evening. The litter is ready."
Moore bent his head in a gesture of assent.
"Very well, bring the litter here to the door and we will start. Waken Kitty."
"Yes," added Norton eagerly. "Is she well?"
"Quite," laughed Audubon, and stepped from the door. "She has been nursing you."
With his departure, Moore stooped and placed something in Norton's hand. The Louisianian gazed at it with a thrill of remembrance. It was the golden eagle belonging to Kitty.
"Eh?" He looked up sharply. "Where got you this——"
"From your shirt, lad. Why, Norton—don't you see?"
"See?" repeated Norton, amazed. "What mean you?"
With a great laugh Red Hugh plunged to his knees and caught Norton's hand; the man seemed transformed with some mad joy too great for words. Half in fear, Norton drew back, and at this Moore only laughed out again.
"Oh, blind, blind!" he cried ringingly. "And you knew that Kitty had been found among Indians, that this pin was hers—yet you never suspected it!"