Here we paused awhile to arrange our little caravan and arm ourselves with the rifles, revolvers, and cartridges which until now we had not been allowed to touch.
There were but four of us to manage the long train of camels, so we were obliged to separate.

Higgs and I went ahead, since I was best acquainted with the desert and the road, Oliver took the central station, and Roderick brought up the rear, because he was very keen of sight and hearing and from his long familiarity with them, knew how to drive camels that showed signs of obstinacy or a wish to turn.
On our right lay the great city of Harmac.

We noted that it seemed to be quite deserted.

There, rebuilt now, frowned the gateway through which we had escaped from the Fung after we had blown so many of them to pieces, but beneath it none passed in or out.

The town was empty, and although they were dead ripe the rich crops had not yet been reaped.