"Yes! All, all!" echoed the warriors. Tahara and Gorols alike were excited by the news. The capture of Cimbula and his followers was not so bad, for everybody dreaded the witch-doctor and his disciples were hated.
But Veena was a favorite of all.
"We will take the captured horses!" urged Raal, "and overtake the raiders."
"Those are bold words," said Dick, "but they are not the words of wisdom. Stop and think. Ten men at the most against a hundred! What chance would you have?"
"We will risk it," Raal stormed.
"And lose all chance of rescuing Veena? No. We must prepare for a long journey first—and at the end a hard battle."
"How long must we wait?"
"Until our warriors have tamed wild horses and learned to ride them. Also we must carry food and water bags for a long trail across the desert."
Raal was in despair.
"And until then, we will know nothing of the maiden. I would rather set out alone than that."