I wondered what course they would take when Ragnall found that his quest was vain, as of course must happen.

Try to get out of the country, I suppose, as I prayed they might succeed in doing, though this was most improbable.
Then there was Hans.

He of course would attempt to retrace our road across the desert, if he had got clear away.

Having a good camel, a rifle and some ammunition, it was just possible that he might win through, as he never forgot a path which he had once travelled, though probably in a week's time a few bones upon the desert would be all that remained of him.

Well, as he had suggested, perhaps we should soon be talking the event over in some far sphere with my father--and others.
Poor old Hans! I opened my eyes and looked about me.