“I am afraid,” he said in Arabic, “that you are about to have a somewhat lengthy walk.”
“Where are we going?” the man asked.
“To El Homra,” Daniel replied casually.
“Ya salaam!” exclaimed the man, in an awed whisper. In our language the expression may be rendered “Oh, lor’!”
The ravine led them to the northwest, and they must have covered nearly two miles before Daniel deemed it safe to bear off more to the north, over the higher ground. The going was easy, for the surface of the rocks was smooth, and the light of the moon sufficient to prevent stumbling; and an hour’s walking brought them to a point at which they could without risk move to the east, so as to pick up the track leading to El Homra. This they found at length without any difficulty, and they now judged themselves to be beyond the pickets, being already two or three miles distant from the near end of the Oasis.
The first danger was now past, and Daniel therefore began to discuss with Muriel their chances of success.
“We must have come six or seven miles,” he said. “I suppose you are pretty tired?”
“No,” she answered, “I can keep up for some time yet. You’ve taken me for some pretty long walks during the last fortnight: it was good training.”
“Well, say when you’re done,” he said, “and I’ll carry you.”
“Thanks,” she replied stiffly, “I’m not a child.”