My message to Arcoll kept humming in my head as I tried to put it into words, for I had a horrid fear that my wits would fail me and I should be dumb when the time came.

Also I was in a fever of haste.

Every minute I wasted increased Laputa's chance of getting back to the kraal.

He had men with him every bit as skilful as Arcoll's trackers.

Unless Arcoll had a big force and the best horses there was no hope.