The sky was overcast, with dark clouds hanging very low, looking as though a mountain storm was about to break.
The caravan pressed on somberly along the mountain path.
The large fat black armored beetles that the caravan originally had were now all dead, not a single one remaining. Only two wing-snakes were left, both with various disabilities. By contrast, more backpack toads survived. This was because they were compact, swift in movement, and could easily evade the sudden assaults of wild beasts. As for the camel-chickens, although similar to the backpack toads, whenever they were startled, they liked to bury their heads deep in the mud. This self-deceiving method of evasion made them suffer the heaviest casualties and losses.
Chapter 253