t closer and watched the actions of the nimble bright-eyed
creatures, longing to capture one or two, but hesitating.

A reference to Yussuf solved the doubt.

"Oh, no; perfectly harmless as to poison," he said; "but some of the
larger ones can nip pretty sharply."

"And draw blood?"

"The largest would," he said; "but you need have no fear," he added
dryly; "catch all you can. I should be careful, though, for sometimes
there are snakes lurking amongst the stones, and some of them are
venomous. But you know the difference between a snake and a lizard?"

"Oh, yes," cried Lawrence laughing, "that's easy enough to tell."

"Not always, effendi, when they are half hidden in the grass."

Lawrence nodded, and went away to try and stalk one of the lizards. The
professor was busy making measurements and taking notes, while Mr Burne
smoked on peaceably, and the Turk, who had led them here, crouched down
and stared at the scarlet and yellow turban as if it fascinated him,
while overhead the sun poured down its scorching beams and there was a
stillness in the air that was broken by the low buzz and hum of flies,
and the deep murmur of the spring below.

Lawrence crept softly along to one white stone upon which three lizards
were basking; and after a moment's hesitation thrust out his hand,
making sure that he had seized one by the neck, but there were three
streaks upon the white stone like so many darting shadows, and there was
nothing.

"Wasn't quick enough," he said to himself, and he went softly to another
stone upon which there was only one, a handsome reptile, which looked as
if it had been painted by nature to imitate polished tortoise-shell.

The sun flashed from its back and seemed to be hot enough to cook the
little creature, which did not stir, but lay as if fast asleep.

"I shall have you easy enough," said Lawrence, as he gradually stepped
up to the place and stooped and poised himself ready for the spring.

He was not hasty this time, and the reptile was perfectly unsuspicious
of danger. There was no doubt about the matter--it must be asleep. He
had so arranged that the sun did not cast the shadow of his arm across
the stone, and drawing in his breath, he once more made a dart at the
lizard, meaning if he did not catch it to sweep it away from its hole,
and so make the capture more easy.

_Snatch_!

A brown streak that faded out as breath does from a blade of steel; and
Lawrence hurt his hand upon