"We may as well make for the top of that sandhill," said Reeves at length. "Perhaps the river only filters through the sand, and appears again some miles beyond. Rivers do that kind of thing sometimes."
The hill that the correspondent pointed out was the highest of the chain surrounding the swamp, and about a mile from where they stood. It was a faint ray of hope, but in their condition the travellers were glad to grasp even the most shadowy plan that might turn disaster into success.
"Fill up that goatskin before we start," said Reeves. "More than likely we'll feel the want of water before we return."
Gerald took the bottle to the river, but in a few minutes returned with the doleful intelligence that it leaked so badly as to be useless.
"We ought to have kept it moistened. The heat has perished the leather," said Reeves. "Well, we must go without it. Meanwhile, sink it in shallow water; it may take up in time. Be careful to weight it, though, or it may be carried away."
Having done so, Gerald again returned, and the little party, carrying only their firearms, set out towards the hill, the hierie being left hobbled with the rest of the baggage.
As soon as the low-lying ground was traversed, the journey became heavy. Often the travellers were more than ankle-deep in the hot sand, while, as they came to the slope of the hill, they frequently found that their feet slipped back more than they gained. But by dint of great exertion they reached the summit of the hill.
Here the three stood spellbound. Beyond, the desert extended unbrokenly for nearly a mile, then the ground rose abruptly to a height of about four hundred feet. The summit of this hill was clothed in verdure, while above the tops of palms appeared the battlemented walls and towers of a large town. Some of the latter were flat-topped, while others were capped by conical roofs of bright metal that glittered in the sunlight. From the topmost turret floated a banner, but the distance was too great for the spectators to discern its device.
"Hurrah!" shouted Hugh. "We're saved. But what a strange sort of town to tumble against in the midst of the desert!"
"It looks more like a city in the fairy-tale books," said Gerald. "Let's push on at once."