smen of the kingdom of Tahara were in the
fields, cultivating the ground while others were chipping flint
arrowheads and making bows and spears. There was no sign of trouble
anywhere.

Dick turned to Raal. "Speak, Raal, what bothers you?"

"O Master," gasped the chief warrior, nervously gripping his stone
hatchet. "Near the spot where the great bird-demon rested a few suns
ago, a strange object with terrible staring eyes, is lying in the sand.
It is an evil spirit, I am sure."

"Bring it here, Raal. I would see what it is."

Raal started violently as if struck, his tanned face turned pale. "I
dare not, O Tahara! It is perhaps black magic! It may work evil. I
beg of you, Tahara, take your bow and drive an arrow through this
demon's heart before it slays us."

"Come with me, Raal!" commanded Dick. "Show me this strange creature!
How big is it? As big as a leopard?"

"No master it is very small, but terrible, and its skin is black and
shiny. In truth it is a wicked demon."

"Fear not, Raal, for I, Tahara have chased away all evil spirits."

"But the strange creature, O Master, is not good to look at. It
watches you with great shining eyes that stare and never blink."

Dick looked amused and puzzled. As the pair walked together over the
sandy waste, Dick's tall, slender body stood out in striking contrast
to that of his thick-set companion. Raal was heavily muscled and his
blond hair hung about his shoulders while his face was covered with a
light beard. Though he was an African, Raal was a white savage of the
Stone-Age, for the Taharans were a survival of ancient times.

Dick's blue eyes were glowing with interest as he neared the spot where
the strange creature was said to be hiding. What could it be? What
new menace was he about to face?

Suddenly Raal slowed his steps, gripping his stone hatchet in readiness
to strike. "Not so fast, O Master. The demon may be asleep and we can
slip up on him unawares," cautioned the warrior.

But Dick had caught sight of the object half hidden in the sand, and
with an exclamation of joy he sprang forward and picked it up.

"Ah-woe, Tahara!" moaned Raal. "Have a care, Master."

But Dick did not hear him. "Good!" he exclaimed. "Just what I need.
Binoculars! I bet Rex Carter will be mad when he finds that he left
his field glasses behind. It's my lucky day!"

Raal looked on in fear as Dick put the glasses to his eyes and gazed
out over the desert.