cene made glorious by that which was so rare. For at the foot of a
perpendicular mass of grey, grand, sun-scorched rock, there was a pool
of limpid water quite fifty yards across, and below it another into
which the surplus ran, forming a place easily accessible for the camels
and leaving the upper water unsullied for the use of man.

The tent was soon pitched and a fire made for the coffee and rough cakes
that were soon in progress of being made, while after drinking heartily,
the camels were left browsing quietly upon the abundant foliage of the
low-growing bushes, their burdens being stacked against the rocks which
formed the back of their little encampment.

"We ought to find some specimens here, Frank," said the professor, at
the end of an hour, as they sat dallying over the last drops of their
coffee.

"Yes; the place looks delightful after the bare sand," replied Frank.
"I am ready. Shall we have a wander round at once?"

"By all means," said the professor. "We'll take the guns. By the way,
do you keep that revolver of yours loaded?"

"Oh, no," said Frank.

"But you carry it under your jacket."

"Yes, I do as you suggested that I should. But I thought we were to
trust to cunning and not to force?"

"Of course; but the fact that we are getting nearer to human beings sets
me thinking that there's no harm in being prepared. Load up. You have
cartridges in your pocket?"

"No," said Frank, smiling. "What should a black slave be doing with
cartridges?"

"Be ready to stand upon his defence in a case of emergency. Here, take
some of mine and fill the chambers."

As he spoke the professor handed six of the little central-fire
cartridges, while Frank drew the small revolver he carried out of a
pocket within the breast of his cotton jacket, and began to thrust them
in.

"Going shooting?" said the doctor, looking up.

"Yes," said the professor; "we may get a few birds worth eating, as
there is water and growth here."

"Better lie down and have a good rest," said the doctor. "You both
require it. We must be careful about our health."

"Time for that too," said the professor. "We have to stay till the men
have been and fetched the grain, and they must have a good rest
afterward."

Just at that moment one of the Sheikh's men, who had been to fetch a
couple of camels which had strayed farther from the camp than seemed
necessary, came hurriedly, driving them before him, to leave them with
their f