The reports of two rifle shots were faintly borne to their ears.
"That's a signal. I heard the first a second before I spoke.
Answer them, Elfreda."
Miss Briggs sprang up and fired the rifle three times. An answer came in the form of three reports that plainly were from a long distance away.
"That must be Mr. Lang. I am glad," said Grace, her face lighting up in a pleased smile.
"Him come along," announced Ping a few moments later, using the elastic expression that stood for the dinner call, as well as to indicate that some one was approaching.
The Overland girls stood up and, shading their eyes, gazed off over the desert. They saw a horseman approaching, but the pony he was riding appeared to be almost dragging himself along.
"That isn't Lang," exclaimed Hippy.
"I see it isn't," agreed Grace.
Being a lone rider the Overlanders knew they were safe from trouble so far as he was concerned, but they observed the rider narrowly as he neared the camp.
"Ping! Fetch water!" ordered Grace incisively. "That man and horse are exhausted."