Midway in the prairie between there toiled a human figure.
Even at that distance Philip and Billinger could see that it was moving, though with a slowness that puzzled them.

For several minutes they stood breathing their horses, their eyes glued on the object ahead of them.
Twice in a space of a hundred yards it seemed to stumble and fall.

The second time that it rose Philip knew that it was standing motionless.
Then it disappeared again.

He stared until the rolling heat waves of the blistered prairie stung his eyes.

The object did not rise.