"That's done it!" he exclaimed, as the huge brute rolled over on top of its victim. "Look out, lads! There may be another about, so reload that musket."
But with the firing the roars ceased, and a great crackling of the brushwood showed that some if not all of the lions were in full retreat.
"He's settled the hierie for us," remarked Reeves, after vainly attempting to pull the dead lion off the camel's body. "It's tramp with a vengeance now. Take the water bottle and the dates, Gerald; they are what we require most at present."
"We've made enough noise to arouse every denizen of the place for miles around," he continued, as, well laden, the three proceeded on their way. "Why didn't you shoot the brute when I told you to?"
"I tried to, but I couldn't pull the trigger," replied Gerald, and Hugh answered in a similar manner.
"You were not lacking in courage," said Reeves. "You both stood up to it like born hunters. But do you know what you did not do? I'll tell you. You forgot to full-cock your muskets. Never mind now, but remember it in future. Many a man has done the same thing before to-day."
After a while the scrub gave place to coarse grass about a foot in height, while standing clearly against the starlit sky were the lofty outlines of the palm trees of the desired oasis.
"Not a word now," cautioned Reeves.
Treading as silently as possible, the three drew nearer and nearer the oasis. Several times they halted and listened intently, but no sound came to their ears save the soft swish of the leaves in the faint breeze.
All at once the silence was broken by a human voice, speaking in a strange mixture of Anglo-French.