It might have been an elephant or a giraffe, or perhaps nothing but a shadow, so I said nothing.

As I heard no noise I was inclined to believe the latter explanation.

In any case, what was the good of speaking?
Unarmed and solitary amidst unknown dangers, our position was desperate, and as Marut's nerve was already giving out, to emphasize its horrors to him would be mere foolishness.
On we trudged for another two hours, during which time the only living thing that I saw was a large owl which sailed round our heads as though to look at us, and then flew away ahead.
This owl, Marut informed me, was one of "Jana's spies" that kept him advised of all that was passing in his territory.

I muttered "Bosh" and tramped on.

Still I was glad that we saw no more of the owl, for in certain circumstances such dark fears are catching.
We reached the top of a rise, and there beneath us lay the most desolate scene that ever I have seen.