What were these strange objects, for they certainly did not belong to the buildings?
This question was put by Von Bloom, partly to himself, but loud enough for the others to hear him.
"_Da vogels_!" (the vultures), replied Swartboy.
Sure enough, it was a string of vultures that appeared along the walls.
The sight of these filthy birds was more than ominous.

It filled Von Bloom with apprehension.

What could they be doing there?
There must be carrion near?
The party rode forward.

The day was now up, and the vultures had grown busy.

They flapped their shadowy wings, rose from the walls, and alighted at different points around the house.
"Surely there must be carrion," muttered Von Bloom.
There _was_ carrion, and plenty of it.