"A hyena.
Well may he laugh! Feasting enough for him and his before this dance is over!" A gleam of fire, off to the left where the farther dunes approached the sea, suddenly began to show.

All eyes turned toward it.

The little fire soon grew into a leaping flame, its base hidden by sand-mounds.
No Arabs were visible there, but they had surely lighted it, using driftwood from the beach.

Up into the purple-velvet night whirled sparks and fire-tongues; red smoke spiraled on the vagrant desert breeze.
"A signal-fire, Master!" whispered Rrisa.

"It will be seen in far oases.