d more
frequently. The Bedouins finally halted in one of them which was
entirely concealed amid the rocks. But they had barely dismounted from
the camels when they raised a cry and dashed ahead, bending over every
little while and throwing stones ahead of them. Stas, who had not yet
alighted from the saddle, beheld a strange sight. From among the dry
bushes overgrowing the bed of the "khor," a big snake emerged and,
gliding sinuously with the rapidity of lightning among the fragments of
rocks, escaped to some hiding-place known to itself. The Bedouins
chased it furiously and Gebhr rushed to their aid with a knife. But
owing to the unevenness of the ground it was difficult either to hit
the snake with a stone or to pin it with a knife. Soon all three
returned with terror visible on their faces.

And the cries, customary with Arabs, resounded:

"Allah!"

"Bismillah!"

"Mashallah!"

Afterwards both Sudanese began to look with a kind of strange and, at
the same time, searching and inquiring gaze at Stas who could not
understand what was the matter.

In the meantime Nell also dismounted from her camel, and though she was
less tired than during the night, Stas spread for her a saddle-cloth in
the shade on a level spot and told her to lie down, in order, as he
said, that she might straighten out her little feet. The Arabs prepared
their noon meal, which consisted of biscuits and dates, together with a
gulp of water. The camels were not watered for they had drank during
the night. The faces of Idris, Gebhr and the Bedouins were still
dejected, and the stop was made in silence. Finally Idris called Stas
aside, and began to question him with a countenance at once mysterious
and perturbed.

"Did you see the snake?"

"I did."

"Did you conjure it to appear before us?"

"No."

"Some ill-luck awaits us as those fools did not succeed in killing it."

"The gallows awaits you."

"Be silent! Is your father a sorcerer?"

"He is," answered Stas without any hesitation, for he understood in a
moment that those savage and superstitious men regarded the appearance
of a reptile as an evil omen and an announcement that the flight would
not succeed.

"So then your father sent it to us," answered Idris, "but he ought to
understand that we can avenge ourselves for his charms upon you."

"You will not do anything to me as the sons of Fatma would have to
suffer for any injury to me."

"And you already understand this? But rem