The grass was tall in the clearing. There was a low scrub too, but it was a scrub that might be trodden under foot. In two minutes Seth was stooping examining a tent-peg, discolored by weather, but intact, and still holding in the earth where it had been driven. It was but four yards from this to a place where two distinct piles of human bones were lying hidden in the rank grass.
Seth was on his knees pulling the grass aside, but he did not touch the bones. The skeletons were far from complete. Fortunately the skulls were there, and he saw that they were those of a man and a woman. While he contemplated the ghastly remains his thoughts conjured up many scenes. He saw the bullet hole through the woman's skull, and the horrid rift in the man's. The absence of many of the bones of the extremities made him think of the coyotes, those prairie scavengers who are never far off when death stalks the plains.
After a few moments he was searching the long grass in every direction. He looked for remnants of clothing; for anything to give him a sign. In his search he was joined by the scout who had returned from the water, where he had discovered further traces of an encampment.
At last the examination was completed. There was nothing left to indicate the identity of the bones.
The two men now stood by the bones of the unfortunate man and woman. Seth was staring out at the surrounding brush.
"I guess the Injuns cleaned things up pretty well," he said, while his eyes settled on one little bush apart from the rest.
"No. Everything gone. So. That not like Injun."
Seth made no response, but walked over to the bush he had been looking at. The scout saw him thrust a hand in amongst the branches and withdraw it holding something.
"What you find?" he asked, when Seth came back.
Then, a moment later, Seth asked suddenly: "How far from here to--Jason's old place?"
"Six--eight--nine hour," Jim Crow said, with his broad smile that meant nothing.
Seth looked long and thoughtfully at the split skull on the ground. Then his eyes sought the bullet hole in the woman's skull. But he said nothing.
A little later the two men went back to the horses and mounted.
"Guess I'll git on to see the Agent," Seth observed, while the horses moved away from the bluff.