As if in slow motion, Rip s front knees bent forward and hit the ground with an earth-trembling thud. Next, her back legs folded up, and after a couple of rocking-horse moves, she sat squarely on her haunches. In that instant Rip lashed out at me, baring her large teeth ferociously, green slimy cud dripping from her enormous lips. I sprang back in horror and tripped over the saddle. By then, Rip was back on her feet again.
Few places offer better stargazing, so bring along a Southern Hemisphere sky chart.
By four in the afternoon, we were finally ready to leave. Each of us chose a camel and walked along beside it. We would ride only an average of two hours a day, taking turns sharing the two camels that were not carrying supplies and equipment. We hadn t walked half a mile when a camel in the middle of the pack spooked. There were anxious shouts, the cameleers flashed their knives, and that awful roar filled the air.