By now this lake would be full, swollen with rains that fell on the hills of Northern Africa, and the space between it and the Mur range nothing but an impassable swamp.
Being still unsatisfied, Orme inquired whether, if we abandoned the camels, we could not then climb the precipice down which the embassy had descended.

To this the answer, which I corroborated, was that if our approach were known and help given to us from above, it might be possible, provided that we threw away the loads.
"Seeing what these loads are, and the purpose for which we have brought them so far, that is out of the question," said Orme.

"Therefore, tell us at once, Shadrach, how we are to win through the Fung to Mur." "In one way only, O son of Orme, should it be the will of God that we do so at all; by keeping ourselves hidden during the daytime and marching at night.

According to their custom at this season, to-morrow, after sunset, the Fung hold their great spring feast in the city of Harmac, and at dawn go up to make sacrifice to their idol.

But after sunset they eat and drink and are merry, and then it is their habit to withdraw their guards, that they may take part in the festival.