That was enough for the inventor. He came running out, followed by the others, and went up forward.
He quickly saw the oasis and its occupants.
“Very likely the very caravan we are in search of,” he told his friends. “Pomp, lower the Pegasus.”
“In de oasis?”
“Yes. We’ll take them by surprise.”
The engine settled down, but before she could reach the ground the cries of the camels brought the natives from their huts, and they saw the airship.
A scene of excitement ensued.
The wildest cries escaped the natives, and they prostrated themselves upon the ground, touching the earth with their foreheads.
All of them looked like Arabs.
There were seven in the party, and every one men.