Mile after mile passed without incident, till suddenly the travellers disturbed a number of large birds, which, uttering fearful cries, soared wildly in the air.
"That's good!" exclaimed Reeves. "The first birds we've met since we left Wadi Tlat. That shows we must be nearing a place that is capable of supplying food to these creatures."
More than two-thirds of the distance was completed when a fairly dense scrub was encountered, clusters of prickly cacti impeding the already slow progress of the little band. The soil, too, instead of consisting of soft, drifting sand, began to become hard and sun-baked. All this told of the presence of conditions capable of supporting animal life.
"What's that?" asked Hugh, as a low rumble was borne to their ears. Reeves did not reply, but, loosening his pistol in the folds of his shawl, he bade his young companions see that their firearms were ready for instant use.
"Are they lions?" asked Gerald, after a while.
"Aye," replied the correspondent grimly, "and much too near for my liking. We may have to use our guns, but I don't want to, except as a last resource. Get off that camel, Hugh. You'll feel much safer on your feet."
Hugh instantly obeyed, yet somehow he felt as if he were much safer on his lofty perch. Nevertheless he half-cocked his cumbersome flintlock and marched beside Gerald. Reeves was walking on the right outside, slightly in advance of the others, while the hierie served as a screen from attack on the left.
Suddenly there was the rush of some heavy body, a dull thud, and a squeal from the camel as the poor brute was borne to the ground. The lads had a momentary glimpse of the flashing eyes of some enormous animal, which had struck down the hierie and was savagely rending its slender neck.
Reeves aimed at a distance of less than three yards with his long flintlock, but the weapon missed fire.
"Let him have it, lads!" he shouted; but both, though they presented their guns, could not fire. With a muttered exclamation the correspondent snatched the musket from Hugh and again took aim. This time there was a deafening concussion; but, without waiting to see the result of his shot, Reeves threw down the discharged weapon, and drawing his automatic pistol he sent four shots in rapid succession into the head of the groaning beast, which was still mauling the unfortunate hierie.