The notes of the trumpet seemed more and more distinct.
"I cannot make out that trumpet," said Himilco; "it does not sound like one of ours."
"Whose else should it be?" replied Hannibal, testily. "Savages do not blow trumpets."
The pilot now insisted that the sound did not come across the water at all, but from the very centre of the huts.
"And yet," he said, "if it means an attack, I wonder we do not hear the war-cry."
We were all bewildered, and no less so when we heard three loud shouts rend the air, and the trumpet notes which had been going on at intervals for a quarter of an hour come to an end with a prolonged and thrilling flourish.
"I never knew but one pair of lungs that could make a clarion ring out like that," said Himilco.
The name of Jonah rose simultaneously to the lips of us all, and Bichri said he should like to see Gebal come in and confirm our impression.
"Nonsense," I said, "why indulge these foolish fancies? we must be practical. If we are rescued by our troops, well and good; otherwise we shall either have to buy ourselves off by a ransom or invent some ruse to escape."