It was therefore in a wild passion of rage and despair that I levelled my rifle, taking aim as well as I could at what seemed a vital part under the wing.

The motion of the wing rendered this difficult, however, and I hesitated a moment, so as to make sure.

All this time Layelah stood looking at me with a smile on her rosy lips and a merry twinkle in her eyes--evidently regarding my words as empty threats and my act as a vain pretence, and utterly unprepared for what was to follow.
Suddenly I fired both barrels in quick succession.

The reports rang out in thunder over the sea.

The athaleb gave a wild, appalling shriek, and fell straight down into the water, fluttering vainly with one wing, while the other hung down useless.