"We can see palms."
"I believe you are right," was the response, "only I cannot be sure of it."
"Gerald suggested that it might be a mirage. If not, it's a clump of palms, right enough."
"We've had disappointments enough for one day," replied Reeves decisively. He had shaken off his meditative mood, and was now alert and resourceful. "We'll go back now and rest till to-morrow. At dawn we'll come here again, and if in the clear morning light the trees are still visible, we will then know that it is not a mirage. In that case we'll make a dash for it."
Turning on his heel, he led the way back to the river. In spite of Fortune's rebuff, he felt confident that a successful ending to their troubles and tribulations was in sight.
CHAPTER X
Challenged
TOWARDS the middle of the afternoon Reeves stood up, stretched his long limbs, and looked meditatively in the direction of the hill from which the three comrades had witnessed the mirage.
"Lads," he exclaimed, "I've changed my plans. We'll load up the camel, take a stock of water with us—that is, if the goatskin doesn't leak—and make for yonder hill once more. If the palms are still visible, I'll take a bearing, and as soon as it gets dark we'll make a dash for it. The stars will guide us."
"I'm game," replied Hugh. "But why do you want to journey by night?"