experience flashed into his mind and led to his subsequent action.

On a previous occasion, having been missed at close quarters, he
pretended to be hit and fell apparently lifeless within fifteen
yards of a famous malefactor. The ruse succeeded; the man crept back
to triumph over an inveterate foe and Brendon shot him dead as he
bent to examine a fancied corpse. With a loaded revolver still in
his opponent's hand, he could take no risk on this second occasion
and fell accordingly. His purpose was to tempt the red man back and
if possible secure his weapon before he had time to fire again.

But he was disappointed, for the unknown, seeing Mark crash
headfirst to the ground, and blood run from his mouth, evidently
felt assured that his purpose was accomplished. Brendon had
simulated death for a while, but when satisfied of his assailant's
departure, presently rose, with no worse hurts than a bruised face,
a badly bitten tongue, and a wounded shin.

The situation thus created he weighed in all its bearings and
guessed that those who now believed themselves responsible for his
death would take occasion to remove the evidence of their crime
without much delay. The blazed tree, which he presently noted,
confirmed this suspicion. Nobody had ever seen one of Robert
Redmayne's victims and the last was little likely to be an
exception. Mark guessed that until darkness returned he might expect
to be undisturbed. He walked back, therefore, to his starting-place,
and found the packet of food which he had brought with him and a
flask of red wine left beside it.

After a meal and a pipe he made his plan and presently stood again