“The white man with a scar upon his forehead is even now upon his way—here!”
“Here!”
“Yea! Here! He crosses the water in the company of another man, white, but of great age. They travel, O my mistress, they travel, O my brethren, in search of the miraculous water which, so ’tis said, is hidden in the heart of certain mountains in the Red Desert.”
Laughter rang out, in which Zarah joined, the sweet sound mingling with the men’s deep voices as they shouted grim suggestions and coarse pleasantries the one to the other.
Zarah leant forward, her eyes gleaming.
“They come alone, the two white men, in search of this miraculous water?”
“Nay, O mistress! They travel in a good company of men and camels, led by a woman——”
“Led by a woman! O my brethren, is there one of thee in need of a wife or yet another wife?”
Ribald laughter and obscene jest followed close upon her question.
“What is she like? this woman who dares lead men and camels across the empty desert.”