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diff --git a/43267-0.txt b/43267-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f84f9d --- /dev/null +++ b/43267-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7091 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43267 *** + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 43267-h.htm or 43267-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43267/43267-h/43267-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43267/43267-h.zip) + + + + + +[Illustration: The rough-looking Arabs darted out and surrounded +the Americans. (_Page 191_)] + + +CAPTURED BY THE ARABS + +by + +JAMES FOSTER + + + + + + + +A. L. Burt Company, Publishers +New York Chicago + +Copyright, 1933, by +A. L. Burt Company + +Captured by the Arabs + +Printed in the United States of America + + + * * * * * * + + THE EXPLORATION SERIES + BY JAMES FOSTER + CAPTURED BY THE ARABS + LOST IN THE WILDS OF BRAZIL + SECRETS OF THE ANDES + THE FOREST OF MYSTERY + + * * * * * * + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I Followed by Rascals 1 + II Scoundrels at Work 9 + III A Villainous Deed 18 + IV Lured to Danger 27 + V A Fight for Freedom 34 + VI Through Unknown Forests 48 + VII Good News 55 + VIII Off for the Sahara 63 + IX Across the Desert 69 + X Questionable Strangers 77 + XI Fighting Heavy Odds 86 + XII A Grim Discovery 96 + XIII The Hideous Reptile 105 + XIV Falling Helplessly 113 + XV As Guests of Heathens 123 + XVI Steady Aim 131 + XVII Moments of Horror 140 + XVIII Savage Tribesmen 149 + XIX Searching for the Ancient 159 + XX The Horror of Thirst 169 + XXI Captured! 180 + XXII The Cave of Treasure 193 + XXIII Met by Enemies 197 + XXIV A Dangerous Undertaking 204 + XXV Going for Help 214 + XXVI To the Rescue 223 + XXVII The Hidden Treasure 230 + XXVIII Back to Civilization 239 + Bibliography 245 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +Followed by Rascals + + +"The Sahara Desert! Adventure! Exploration!" breathed Joe Lewis, as he +sat with four companions on the deck of the steamer _Sylvania_, +awaiting their first glimpse of North Africa. + +"It'll be wonderful!" muttered Bob Holton, who was also deeply +touched. He, like his chum, had often pictured this mission into the +heart of the vast expanse of sand. Soon it would be the real thing. +Already the youth could feel his feet plod through the loose soil, +could sense the delight of long traveling in a little-known land. + +Dr. Kirshner, a noted archæologist, looked up from the book he was +reading. His bronzed face took on a wide smile as he scrutinized the +two young men. + +"Got the old spirit, all right," he said with twinkling eyes. "I +suppose it came from that expedition in Brazil. Every explorer gets it +sooner or later." + +"That's right," agreed Mr. Lewis, Joe's father. "They say the main +characteristic of a true explorer is his ability to sense the thrill +of adventure." + +"Then we're real explorers. Isn't that right, Dad?" grinned Bob. + +"'We'?" asked Mr. Holton, trying to appear serious. "Where do you get +that 'we' stuff? You and Joe have only bothered us on one expedition. +We men have faced the scorching sun scores of times, and should by now +have caught the true meaning of it all. But you boys----" + +"Wait a minute," cut in Bob, determined not to be beaten so easily. +"Where would you have been if it hadn't been for Joe and me? It was +our ingenuity that brought about the success of the expedition." + +"Well, I must say I hadn't thought of that before," laughed Mr. +Holton. + +"It's true, all right." Bob stoutly defended himself and his chum. "If +you say the word I'll prove it." + +Mr. Holton smiled. He took a great delight in arguing in a friendly +manner with his son, although at times he was forced to admit defeat. +This time he was satisfied to drop the matter and turn his eyes to the +western sky, where the sun, a great ball of red fire, was sliding into +the bluish waters of the Mediterranean. Gradually the ball faded from +view, leaving a soft blue sky, which a moment later became streaked +with long gold streamers. At last these became molded into one great +mass of color and light, crossed and dotted with every hue of the +rainbow. Slowly the spectacle faded from view, and the sky became a +warm blue, out of which came countless glittering stars. + +It was a wonderful sight, and although the adventurers had witnessed +it several times before, they never seemed to tire of it. Bob and Joe +especially were deeply stirred. + +"Now that we've seen our last sunset on this voyage, suppose we get +our belongings together," said Mr. Holton, getting up from his chair. +"It won't be long until we reach Algiers." + +"And if what we've heard is true, it's a wonderful city," added Mr. +Lewis. "Has the most unusual blend of things Arab and European on the +globe. Monuments, mosques, palaces, everything and more that +characterizes the spirit of North Africa." + +He arose and led the way up the deck to the cabin, where already +people were gathering to await the first sight of land. Among the +passengers were brightly garbed Egyptians, Algerians, Arabs, and many +others with quaint and picturesque costumes. Everyone was in a gay +mood, laughing and talking merrily. That is, all but two tall Arabs, +whose quiet gaze was fixed on Bob, Joe, and the others of the American +expedition. That the men intended mischief was sensed by the boys, +although their elders had caught no element of danger. + +"Wonder what they want?" murmured Bob, in an undertone to his chum. +"Fact is, I've noticed them before, but never said anything about it. +They seem to follow us, for some reason or other." + +Joe nodded. + +"I've thought the same thing," he said quietly. "But as they made no +move against us, I almost forgot about it till now." + +The youths said no more until they reached their stateroom, which was +directly across the hall from that of their elders. As soon as their +belongings were together, Bob decided to mention the matter to his +father and friends. + +"Ten to one they haven't noticed these men," he said to Joe, "and it +might be best for us to put 'em wise." + +The youths found their companions preparing to leave for the deck and +motioned for them to come in the room. Then Bob told of the actions of +the two Arabs, pointing out that they probably had no good intentions. + +The men listened closely, eager to get all the details. When the boys +were finished, Mr. Lewis looked grave. + +"They probably heard Dr. Kirshner mention the hidden treasure," he +said soberly, at the same time glancing about as if he expected to +see the Arabs at the door. + +"Hidden treasure? What treasure?" demanded Joe excitedly, while Bob +looked up in surprise. + +"It may only be a yarn," replied Dr. Kirshner. "In fact I just heard +about it this morning. An intelligent Arab with whom I made friends +pointed out that he had definite information that there were great +riches amassed in a cave in the heart of the Sahara Desert. It seems +that they had been placed there by native tribesmen, or Tuaregs, who +inhabited this region hundreds of years ago. Tuaregs even today are +very fond of raiding caravans and small towns. Got it in their blood, +I guess." He paused a moment for breath, and Bob seized upon the +opportunity. + +"But why did the Arab tell you this?" he asked. "Didn't he know----" + +"I know what you're thinking," the scientist interrupted. "You're +wondering why I got in on this. I did too at the start. But as soon as +he had finished with the details, he told me that he was not equal to +making the expedition alone and had no relatives or good friends to +accompany him. He went on to say that few expeditions are sent out +into those remote regions, and that he would gladly share the treasure +with us if we would go with him. + +"Now as this treasure cave is supposedly in the region that we +intended to explore, your dads and I could see no reason for not +taking him up. His services as a guide will also be invaluable." + +"But--but how does he know where to search?" questioned Joe Lewis, his +tone indicating that he was greatly puzzled. + +"He has a map," returned the archæologist. "Got it from an old +tribesman who was about to die. Whether or not it is accurate, we have +yet to see--if nothing prevents us," he added significantly. + +"Nothing will--if we can help it," said Bob, delighted at such an +opportunity. + +A few minutes later they lugged their possessions out on deck. And +they were none too soon, for it was scarcely ten minutes later that +the lights of land became visible--dimly, of course, but they were +there. + +"At last," sighed Mr. Holton, who, although he enjoyed the long +voyage, was anxious to reach his destination. + +Although land was a great distance away, the adventurers went to the +prow to catch a first glimpse of that mysterious country on which they +would soon set foot. + +Bob and Joe watched closely as the myriad of lights grew more plain. A +stronger beam flashed from the Cape Matifou lighthouse, and numerous +lights from ships in and about the harbor were also visible. No more +could be seen. But it was enough. Bob and Joe were convinced that +Algiers was a charming city indeed. + +"How large a place is it?" asked Joe, as the _Sylvania_ neared the +port. + +"About two hundred and fifty thousand," returned Mr. Holton. "And all +different races, from Americans to Turks and Jews. Oh, we'll see +sights all right." + +Gradually the boat pulled into the harbor, reversed her engines, and +stopped at a large dock. Then among lights the gangplank was lowered, +and the boys and their elders soon found themselves among the many +hurrying passengers. Lights were everywhere, almost as numerous as in +an American city, and they had no trouble in finding their way to a +hotel. + +"Oh, by the way," exclaimed Joe with a sudden recollection, "what +became of your friend the Arab--the one who knows about the hidden +treasure?" + +"He's at another hotel," replied Dr. Kirshner. "I have his address on +paper. We'll go over there in the morning. He had already made +reservations at this hostelry or would have put up with us." + +The remainder of that evening was spent quietly, for the explorers +were tired after the long journey on the _Sylvania_. + +Bob and Joe were up early the next morning, and after a small but +satisfying breakfast they started out for a short walk. But they had +scarcely covered a square when Joe, who had happened to glance back, +stopped suddenly and nudged his friend. + +Bob looked, and an answering expression of surprise and anger came on +his face. + +Walking slowly into the hotel were the two Arabs who had acted so +suspiciously on the ship. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +Scoundrels at Work + + +"What do you suppose they want?" asked Joe, as the youths followed the +movements of the Arabs. + +"They're not there for any good," returned Bob, a look of anger, and +at the same time anxiety, on his face. "Probably want to find that map +that tells of the hidden treasure. Oh, of course it could be a +coincidence that they picked the same hotel that we did, but it isn't +likely." + +The boys watched the suspicious characters until they disappeared into +the hotel. Then Joe suggested that they cautiously follow. + +"All right," Bob agreed. "But we must be careful and not get too +close. They might have guns and think nothing of using them, and they +could probably get away in this country." + +Slowly the youths moved up to the entrance and peeped around the +corner. Satisfied that there was no one in sight, they went inside. + +"Nobody here but our dads and Dr. Kirshner," observed Bob, glancing +about. "I wonder if they noticed the Arabs?" + +"Let's ask them." + +The men had noticed the fellows, they said, but thought nothing about +it. Why? Was anything wrong? + +Bob explained that they were the two who had acted in a suspicious +manner on the ship, and at once the scientists' faces lightened. + +"Come on," urged Dr. Kirshner. "We can't get there any too rapidly. +When they find that we haven't got the map, they'll probably help +themselves to money and anything else that happens to be lying about. +They may even search other rooms." + +Hastily, and yet quietly, the boys and their elders went up the +stairway. They were unarmed, their revolvers and other firearms having +been left in their rooms. This might prove a handicap if the Arabs +possessed weapons, but the Americans thought nothing of the risk they +were taking. + +"We're five to two, even if we haven't our guns," said Bob, clinching +his fists. "They're likely to be shaken by numbers." + +But Dr. Kirshner, who knew the ways of these cunning natives, smiled +grimly. + +In a short time they reached the floor on which were their rooms and +turned cautiously down the hall. With utmost care lest they be +discovered, the explorers tiptoed up to their rooms. + +Mr. Holton took the lead and glanced around the door into the room. A +moment later his face scowled. + +"What is it?" demanded Joe, in a whisper. "Are they inside?" + +Mr. Holton shook his head. + +"Worse than that," he said solemnly. "Take a look." + +While the others are taking in the situation, it might be well to tell +something about Bob Holton and Joe Lewis and, incidentally, their +fathers. + +Bob was a big, well-built youth of some eighteen years. He was +particularly fond of adventure and life in the open, and always +welcomed an opportunity that might bring about a realization of his +desire. + +Joe, who was about the same age, was of medium size and strength, with +a naturally dark complexion that was now still further darkened by the +tropical sun. He, like his friend, was fond of adventure, hunting and +fishing and hiking whenever the opportunity presented itself. + +The youths were together much of their time and agreed on practically +every point. Their home was in Washington, D. C., where their fathers, +Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis, were employed as naturalists by a large +museum. + +A short time before, the youths were successful in persuading their +fathers to take them on an expedition to unexplored Brazil. Here they +helped the naturalists shoot and classify wild animals, birds, and +reptiles and had many thrilling adventures with wild animals and +savage Indians. How they fought hand-to-hand with a huge jaguar, +barely prevented themselves from being crushed by a terrible anaconda, +battled against rapids, and finally became lost and wandered for days +in the world's greatest jungle are told in the first volume of this +series, entitled, _Lost in the Wilds of Brazil_. + +The boys spent the following winter finishing up in high school, and +scarcely was graduation over when their fathers were requested by the +museum to make an expedition to the Sahara Desert to collect specimens +of any animal life that might be present in the remote interior. Dr. +Kirshner, of whom something has been said, wished to accompany the +naturalists to investigate the remains of ancient civilizations. At +once Bob and Joe requested that they be taken also, and after careful +consideration their elders at last consented. What the boys were +particularly looking forward to was taking motion pictures of the +desert, for they had been engaged by the Neuman Film Corporation to +get many unusual scenes. + +Less than a week later the expedition sailed on the steamer _Sylvania_ +and made the long voyage without any special incident. + +Now let us return to the boys, as they advanced into their elders' +room. + +At once their mood changed, an expression of astonishment, later +turning to anger, creeping over their faces. + +Everything in the room was in the wildest disorder. Clothes, shoes, +satchels, rifles, papers lay scattered about, the scene suggesting +that a cyclone had visited the place. It was most deplorable, and the +travelers stood for some time as if trying to catch the true meaning +of it all. + +Finally their anxiety caused them to move forward and inspect the +belongings. + +"Good thing we didn't have the treasure map," remarked Mr. Lewis, +examining the contents of a small black bag. "It wouldn't be here +now." + +At the end of their inspection the explorers found that nothing had +been taken from their belongings. It appeared that the crafty Arabs +wished only the treasure map, and that, not being able to find it, +they had left without any other spoils. + +"They sure acted in wild haste," observed Mr. Holton. "It's almost +impossible to see how all this could have been torn up so quickly. It +wasn't five minutes from the time that you boys told of seeing the men +that we were up here." + +"Trust the Arabs to do that," said Dr. Kirshner, with a dry smile. + +The scientists' possessions were placed back in their proper places, +and then they went to inspect the room occupied by Bob and Joe. + +"Probably nothing taken from here, either," was the opinion expressed +by Mr. Holton, and he proved right, as they later found. + +"This shows that these Arabs are desperate characters, and will +probably stop at nothing," said Dr. Kirshner, after a moment of +thought. "We must be extremely careful to lock everything up from now +on. It may even mean that we'll have to watch ourselves, too." + +"What do you mean?" asked Joe. + +"Simply that they may try to kidnap one or all of us to get possession +of the map," he replied in a low voice. "I know these natives. I've +seen some of their actions before and feel sure that if these two men +thought there was a good chance to get the map, they would try to do +it." + +"It may not be as easy as they think," said Bob, although he was a bit +uneasy. + +No more time was spent in the rooms, for they were all desirous of +seeing more of the strange city and country. + +"It might be wise to call on our Arabian friend first," said Dr. +Kirshner. "The one who knows about the treasure, I mean. We haven't +seen him since we left the ship last night, and he may be anxious to +know what plans we have in mind." + +"Yes," agreed Joe. "And while there we can warn him against these +crooks. They may come on to him for the map, since they found that we +haven't it." + +First, however, the boys' fathers and Dr. Kirshner wished to +breakfast. + +"And while they're busy eating, suppose we go out," suggested Joe. "We +don't need to stay but a few minutes." + +Bob agreed. He, like his friend, was anxious to observe the +strangeness of this unusual city. If what he had heard was true, it +would be something to be long remembered. + +Out on the street the youths were at once impressed by the wide +variety of races and costumes. Frenchmen, Italians, Spaniards, +Mahonese, and Maltese all walked side by side, the majority in +European garb. Arabs, or rather those who are commonly called Arabs, +for they are a very mixed breed, sauntered along, clad in their long +gowns and _hlafa_, which hung down over the face and sides of the +head. Occasionally a Negro could be seen, although this was the +exception rather than the rule. + +"Sure have variety here," smiled Joe. "There's about every race +imaginable present." + +In a short time the youths reached the Place du Gouvernement, or +central square, and the busy scene of life was very interesting. On +one side of the forum was the Mosque of Djema-el-Djedid and the Grand +Mosquée, and on the others were stores, hotels, and cafés. Stretching +away in the distance were the four great streets of the city. + +Bob and Joe spent some time in one position, watching the throng of +Arabs, soldiers, Jews, and others peculiar to this metropolis. +Strange, the boys thought, that the people paid little or no attention +to them. But this was probably due to the fact that hundreds of +tourists visit the city each year. + +"I'd like to visit some of the stores," remarked Bob. "But we'd better +get back to the hotel." + +"Yes. Our dads and Dr. Kirshner will probably be waiting for us." + +Reluctantly they made their way back and found that the scientists +were ready to leave for the Arab friend's hotel. + +"We'll trust that we'll find him in his room, or in the lobby," said +Mr. Holton, as he and the others followed Dr. Kirshner. + +"He'll probably be there," returned the archæologist. "He's expecting +us over this morning to talk over the best procedure to find the +hidden treasure." + +The hotel in which the Arab was staying was but a short distance up +the street and around the corner. The explorers were barely within +sight of the building when a figure rushed madly out of the door and +came toward them. + +"Something the matter with that fellow?" asked Bob, surprised to see +such haste from the native. + +"Looks that way," returned Mr. Holton. "He's----By George! It's our +Arab friend. Wonder what has happened?" + +A moment later the man was up to them, his face white, his hands +trembling. + +"The treasure map!" he cried in poor English. "It is gone!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A Villainous Deed + + +At the Arab's dread remark it seemed for a moment that the explorers +were going to sink through the street. Dr. Kirshner reeled, and the +perspiration came out on Mr. Holton's face. Mr. Lewis and the boys +were spellbound. + +Gone! Hundreds of dollars--yes, thousands. After all this anticipating +the good fortune of finding the supposedly hidden treasure. The +explorers could hardly believe it. + +At last Dr. Kirshner got a grip on himself. + +"Do you have any idea where the thieves went?" he asked of the Arab, +whose name was Fekmah. + +"No," was the reply. "They have complete disappeared. I try see where +they go, but could not. They gone when I got to my room." + +"When did you first notice that the map had been taken?" inquired Bob +in an anxious voice. + +"No more than ten minutes ago," Fekmah answered. "I had gone out to +stay but a moment, and when came back to my room the door open and +map gone. I run around to back and look out, but they gone." + +"Gone!" echoed Mr. Lewis. "We should have warned Fekmah to be on the +lookout. If Bob and Joe had discovered the suspicious actions of the +rascals sooner, it would have given us time to do so. But the fact +that nothing strange was noticed till the night we were to reach port +gave us no time to tell it." + +"So you knew?" asked the Arab friend. "You knew that robbers were +after the map?" + +Dr. Kirshner nodded. + +"They broke into our rooms this morning, but when they couldn't find +the map they left without taking anything else," he said. "We were +just going over to warn you to be on the lookout and guard the map +closely when we saw you." + +The Arab scowled and gritted his teeth. + +"Allah curse them!" he exclaimed, vexed all the more because of almost +but not quite knowing in time. "It's too late now to find them, and +they prob'ly gone by now." + +"Gone where?" asked Mr. Holton. + +Fekmah spread his hands apart in a wide gesture and then pointed to +the south. + +"To get treasure," he said quietly. + +"Then we'll get there first!" exclaimed Dr. Kirshner. "No thieves will +get ahead of us. I think it might be well to start on the journey at +once--that is, if you can go that soon," he said to the Arab, who +nodded. + +"But how will we know where to go without the map?" asked Mr. Lewis. + +"I have general idea," Fekmah returned. "I studied it so much that +know about where go. And I can leave any time." + +"Fine!" blurted out Dr. Kirshner. "We'll get our belongings together +and leave tomorrow. But first let me introduce my friends. I don't +believe you're acquainted with them," and he proceeded to introduce +the Arab to Mr. Holton, Mr. Lewis, and Bob and Joe. + +"Now let us all come up to my room," said Fekmah. "We can talk over +plans for the treasure search. There are much things you should know." + +They walked on up the street to a comparatively large building and +were led in the door and up the stairs by Fekmah. + +"So this is the hotel where he's staying," said Bob, casting eager +eyes about the place. + +"Sure is luxurious," remarked Joe. "It's the best in town." + +The Arab's room was halfway down the hall, and to it they went. + +"Now sit down," directed Fekmah, "and we will talk things over." + +They did so and then made ready for what the Arab had to say. + +There was a short silence. Then Fekmah resumed the conversation. + +"Like Dr. Kirshner said, we should leave at once if expect to find the +hidden riches before the thieves get ahead of us," he began, showing +an unusual ability to speak English correctly. "There are two routes +we can take to get to the edge of the desert. We can take the railroad +to Oran and then to Figuig, or can get on train to Wargla." He moved +over to a small satchel and took out a cloth map, which he unfolded +and laid on a small table that was in the middle of the room. The map +was French, and although the naturalists and their sons had a slight +knowledge of that language, Dr. Kirshner and Fekmah were the only ones +who knew it thoroughly. + +"I think we can make out enough to satisfy ourselves, though," said +Mr. Holton. + +The Arab traced the one route and then the other, pointing out the +possibilities of each one. The object was to take a train to the +farthest point in the desert possible and start the expedition from +there on camelback. + +"Now," continued Fekmah, "our destination is the Ahaggar Mountains. +They are about seventeen hundred kilometers (about a thousand miles) +from here. From what we measured, the best route is to go to Wargla +and get camels from there. What you think?" + +"I believe you're right," returned Dr. Kirshner. "That route is much +shorter, and we'll have less difficulty in finding our way from Wargla +than from Figuig. Nearly all expeditions depart from Wargla, and there +are numerous small settlements on the way to the Ahaggar Mountains. +Can we get a train in the morning?" + +The Arab nodded. + +"There about three trains a day out," he said. "I believe one leaves +in morning, so we can get there easy." + +"Fine!" exclaimed Mr. Lewis. "Then we'll leave now and get packed and +be here for you early in the morning." + +Fekmah bowed. + +"And I will make the stolen map over again from memory, as near as +can," he said. + +They bade the Arab good-bye and left the hotel to get their belongings +together. If they were to leave for the Sahara the next morning, a +great deal of packing would have to be done. + +"Don't suppose there's any use trying to find the thieves, is there?" +asked Joe, as they approached their hotel. + +Dr. Kirshner laughed unwillingly. + +"They are probably halfway to the Sahara by now," he returned, +although he knew this to be an exaggeration. + +When the explorers arrived at their rooms, Dr. Kirshner directed the +preparations for the expedition, and the remainder of the day was +spent in doing this. It seemed that the archæologist had forgotten his +duties as a scientist and was thinking only of finding the hidden +riches. + +"If we are fortunate enough to find our objective, we will be paid +many times the cost of the expedition," he said. + +"If those crooks don't get ahead of us," added Joe, with a grim smile. + +"They won't--not if we can help it," blurted out Bob, fumbling his +automatic. + +At noon the adventurers stopped only a few minutes for a meal, so +eager were they to finish the task of preparing for the expedition. +They found it necessary to purchase much that they did not have, and +the bazaars of Algiers were visited often for the unusual in the way +of luxuries. + +At last the work was completed, and all sat down to rest after the +strain. Bob and Joe had had the experience once before of helping to +make preparations for an expedition and knew what was expected of +them. + +"I wish we could take motion pictures of this city," remarked Bob that +evening. "But we've been instructed to wait till we start the journey +in the Sahara." + +The next morning the explorers were up early, and after a bountiful +breakfast they made their way to Fekmah's hotel. + +The Arab was expecting them and had finished making a second map. It +was none too accurate, for he did it from memory, but it promised to +be the only means between defeat and failure. + +"You may wonder why I bothered to make more map," he said to his +friends. "But it possible that I forget some of the landmarks when we +are on way, and this will----" + +"Come to the rescue," interrupted Joe, smiling. + +"And also," Fekmah went on, "you may have this if anything should +happen me." + +"Let's hope nothing will," said Bob. + +"And now," began Dr. Kirshner, "I'm going down to the railroad station +and find out if we can get a train this morning. I'll be back in a +short time." + +"While he's gone, suppose we go out," suggested Joe to his chum. +"There's a lot we can see around here before we leave." + +"All right," Bob replied. "But we don't want to stay too long. There +might be a train out in an hour." + +The youths decided to see the old section of the city, as they had +heard from Dr. Kirshner that many points of interest were to be found +there. It was but a few minutes' walk to their objective, and they +turned their eyes about. + +As they were passing a café, Bob motioned for his friend to look +inside. + +A gray-haired, shriveled old man in torn clothing was strumming a +guitar and walking from one end of the café to another, holding out a +hand for money. But no one seemed inclined to give him any. Evidently +this was a common occurrence, for the people paid little or no +attention to the old beggar. + +"I've half a mind to give him a break," started Bob, but Joe pulled +him back. + +"If we want to see any of this town we'll have to be at it," Joe said, +leading the way down the street. + +The narrow ways were lined with shops and bazaars, offering the +shopper a wide variety of commodities. + +"But most of the things they sell you don't want," smiled Bob, +glancing at a counter laden with coarse native food. + +The youths noticed that certain streets were devoted to the selling of +certain products. For instance, one avenue was lined with shops +displaying brassware. + +"It ought to be easy to find what you want," grinned Joe. "Just walk +down one street and you will have a large choice of the same thing." + +The boys spent nearly a half-hour in the native quarter. Finally Bob +suggested that they get back to the hotel, and his friend was also in +favor. + +In a short time they were back in the hostelry and proceeded to go to +their rooms. But they were scarcely at the doors when the sound of +footsteps came to their ears. The next moment Dr. Kirshner came into +view. + +"Hello," greeted Bob, and then his jaw dropped. + +That something was wrong was evidenced by the frown that was on the +archæologist's face. His usual smile was absent. + +"There's been a wreck," he said in an anxious voice. "The train has +been wrecked. I guess we can't get to Wargla so soon after all." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +Lured to Danger + + +Bob and Joe gasped in astonishment. + +"The train wrecked!" muttered Bob and then started. "What caused it?" + +"I imagine you're thinking the same as I," the archæologist said +quietly. "That those thieves were responsible for it to prevent us +from getting to Wargla at once." + +Joe's face glowed with anger. + +"The dirty beggars!" he cried. "Was anyone hurt?" + +"No. It happened that no one was. But the locomotive was derailed and +lodged in a ravine, and the work of getting it back on the track and +repairing it won't start any too soon in this country. It may be two +or three days before order will be restored. It looks like those +robbers have won out after all." + +They walked on into the room, where they were met by the boys' fathers +and Fekmah. + +"Is there anything wrong?" asked Mr. Holton, as he noticed the sober +faces of his friends. + +The situation was explained, and the men frowned. Fekmah especially +was agitated. + +"May the black monsters of Tidihet feast on them!" he exclaimed, +running his fingers through his white hair. "Allah will punish +them--they will not go free!" + +"But that won't help us any," said Mr. Lewis dryly. "We've got to +figure out some way to stop them, if it's at all possible. The +question is, what will it be?" + +"There's no way of telegraphing," said Dr. Kirshner, gazing +thoughtfully at the floor. "If we had any idea where they went--that +is, what route they took--we might overtake them on fast dromedaries. +But the chances even then would be slight." + +"We might----" began Joe but was interrupted by a knock at the door. + +For a moment the adventurers looked at one another in surprise. Then +Mr. Holton moved over and cautiously opened the door. + +The figure that stood in waiting was a tall, powerful Arab, with dark, +piercing eyes that were none too pleasant to look at. He towered +several inches above Mr. Holton, who was himself nearly six feet. +Around the man's shoulders and reaching nearly to the floor was a +white gown, and on his head was the conventional _hlafa_. + +For several moments he stood looking at the occupants of the room, as +though forming a rapid opinion of the situation. Then he again turned +to Mr. Holton and muttered something in the native tongue. + +That Bob's father understood was evidenced by the look of surprise +that came on his face. A moment later he turned to his friends. + +"He says Fekmah is wanted by a friend," Mr. Holton said. "Won't say +any more. I don't know what to make of it." + +"A friend?" Fekmah gasped. "Why, I know no person here. What could it +mean?" + +Again the stranger said something in Arabic and motioned for his +objective to come out. + +For a moment Fekmah was thoughtful. Then he decided to investigate. + +"I will be back in short minutes," he said and walked toward the door. + +"Wait a minute," called Dr. Kirshner. "I'm going with you." + +"And I, too," cried Bob, getting up from his chair. + +Joe also put in a request, but the archæologist shook his head. + +"Two more are enough," he said quietly, as he and Bob followed the +Arab down the hall. + +"Be careful," warned Mr. Lewis, as they reached the stairs. "There's +no telling what that fellow may want." + +They reached the street and were directed around the corner and up a +narrow byway, the stranger remaining several yards in the van. + +"Keep a ready hand on your automatic," whispered Dr. Kirshner to Bob. +"Something may happen in a short time now." + +"Do you believe Fekmah is really wanted by friends?" the youth asked, +glancing about as if he expected any minute to be confronted by a band +of desperate characters. + +"Beyond me," was the reply. "But I believe it would be safer to say no +than yes. But there is a possibility that he met someone and has +forgotten about it." + +"What could they want of him? It all seems funny to me." + +On they went, now upward by a gently sloping street that was so +crooked it seemed to have no outlet. + +Suddenly the street stopped at a narrow, winding stairway that led +almost straight up. All about were crowded houses of clay, dirty and +weather-beaten and suggesting that only the very poorest of Arabs +lived there. + +Having made sure that the others were following him, the stranger led +the way up the stairs. At the head was a small door, and this was +opened for them to go inside. + +But they hesitated. + +"Ask him what he wants," directed Bob. "There could be anything in +there." + +Dr. Kirshner turned to the Arab and in a stern voice put the question +before him. + +The latter surveyed the American closely, then said in the native +tongue: + +"I wish nothing of _you_. It is Fekmah who is wanted. But if you and +your friend must intrude, you may come in." + +The man's attitude did not win the friendship of the explorers, but +chiefly because they were at a loss to know what to do next they +followed him inside. + +A moment later the door was closed and they found themselves in a sort +of twilight. + +As soon as their eyes became accustomed to the dim light, they made +out four figures sitting in the corner of the room. The bare floor +alone served the place of chairs, and the men seemed comfortable. Bob +at once formed the conclusion that these Arabs were of the same type +as the stranger who escorted them here, and felt a bit uneasy. He +would have felt much better with a hand on his gun, but this would +have aroused the suspicions of the natives. Nevertheless he kept on +guard for any treachery. If it came to a fight, he knew that it would +be two to five, for Fekmah was, in his age, not capable of taking +part. + +None of the Arabs was able to speak English, evidently, but Dr. +Kirshner knew the native language from his previous visits to North +Africa. And he promised to translate occasionally to Bob. + +But a moment later it was plain that there was little translating to +be done, for one of the Arabs said something to Fekmah and motioned +for him to come into the next room. The Americans were to remain where +they were. + +"I don't like this," muttered Dr. Kirshner, as he and Bob were told to +be seated on the floor. "Anything may happen to him in there." + +"Suppose we go with him," suggested Bob. + +The archæologist nodded. He arose from his chair and started to +follow, but one of the Arabs gently pushed him back. + +"It is Fekmah who is wanted," the fellow said in a queer bass voice. +"You will wait here. It will only be a moment." + +Dr. Kirshner had half a notion to push through and follow his Arab +friend, but he changed his mind and sat down with Bob on the floor. + +"What's the big idea of all this?" the youth asked in a puzzled voice. +"They trying to double-cross us or something?" + +The archæologist did not answer, for he felt all too sure that +something serious was wrong. But what was there to do? + +There was no conversation between the archæologist and the natives, +for each seemed busy with his thoughts. Bob was extremely grave, and +he wondered what was taking place in the adjoining room. Perhaps the +Arabs wished to sell Fekmah something and did not wish to be thwarted +by the whites. Or perhaps they wanted to engage themselves as guides +on the coming expedition and knew they would have a better chance with +Fekmah than with the Americans. But whatever it was, Bob felt uneasy. +If their friend did not return before long he would go after him, the +youth thought. + +"We'll wait a few more minutes," said Dr. Kirshner. "Then----" + +"Listen!" commanded Bob. "What was that?" + +"I didn't hear anything. What----" + +"There it is again. Sounds like a muffled cry for help. It's--it's +Fekmah!" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A Fight for Freedom + + +Bob was on his feet in an instant and dashed toward the door to the +next room. But two of the Arabs were there first. With a catlike +quickness they drew knives and advanced on the Americans. The other +two natives came at them from the side. + +"What does this mean?" demanded Dr. Kirshner, looking from one to the +other, his black eyes snapping with anger. + +"You are going to die!" was the grim answer from an evil-looking, +flat-nosed fellow. He moved forward a step or two. + +Bob did not understand the man but sensed that something sinister was +to take place. He noticed the look of anger and anxiety on the +scientist's face. + +With a sudden movement he drew out his automatic, at the same time +stepping back several feet. His action was so quick that the Arabs +were taken by surprise and stood for several moments trying to grasp +the true meaning of it all. + +"Now get back!" he commanded, flashing the shining pistol in their +faces. "Take away their knives," he said to Dr. Kirshner. "I've got +them covered. Tell them I'll shoot the first man who makes a forward +move." + +The scientist did as directed and found that, beyond a vicious-looking +knife, they were unarmed. + +"You stay here and guard them," said Bob. "I'm going in and see what's +happened to Fekmah." + +He moved over to the door and opened it. Holding the pistol in +readiness, he walked slowly in the room. One glance told him that no +one was in sight. But there was a door leading into a large alcove, +and it was possible that he could find someone there. Perhaps the +Arabs were in hiding, having sensed that they were in danger. + +Tiptoeing as quietly as possible, Bob made his way to the closed door. +He stood for several moments wondering what to do next. Then he +decided to make a bold move. + +Clutching his tiny automatic tightly, he took hold of the knob and +with a sudden twist threw open the door. + +The next instant he shrank back, for a tall Arab was almost upon him. +The man held a vicious-looking knife in his uplifted right hand and +was apparently ready to open the door when Bob did so first. + +During the next few seconds Bob's brain was in a whirl. He had half a +mind to shoot the fellow outright and take no chances. But a moment +later he thought better of it. He did not want to be guilty of +murdering even this cruel Arab. If he had been as good a shot with a +pistol as he was with a rifle, he would have shot the knife from the +fellow's hand. But as it was, he knew this could not be done. + +Suddenly the Arab lowered the knife and, scowling cruelly, he rushed +at the youth furiously. + +Realizing that he must act quickly, Bob aimed at the man's leg and +fired. But his hand was unsteady from the terrific strain, and the +bullet missed and lodged itself in the wall. + +With a hoarse bellow the Arab came forward with terrific force, +muttering angrily. He had the knife in readiness now, and was about to +plunge it into the youth's body when something unexpected happened. + +Seeing a good chance, Bob pushed his foot forward with all his +strength, bringing the man down with a thud that resounded through the +little room. The Arab was taken completely unawares, and the knife +went sliding across the floor. + +The next instant he was on his feet, and, showing his black teeth +wickedly, he darted toward his young enemy, his large hands ready to +grip anything they might rest on. + +Now was the time to act, Bob thought. Leaping forward, he sent his +fist crashing into the Arab's nose with all the strength in his +powerful young body. + +The man reeled, backed up, and then fell against the wall. Another +victim of the youth's boxing ability had gone to his fate. + +Perspiration was dripping from the boy's brow. His leg ached from the +twist he gave it in bringing the Arab to the floor. Every muscle in +his body seemed fatigued. For a brief moment a sensation of +nothingness crept over him, and he felt slightly numb. + +With a start he regained his composure and, with one glance at the +still limp Arab, he dashed through the door, the shining automatic +still in his possession. One thought stood out in his mind above all +others. He must find Fekmah. + +No one was in the alcove, but another door led out into a sort of +hallway, and casting aside all thoughts of personal danger, Bob passed +through it. + +The next instant he found himself in a narrow passageway, with no +windows or other means to admit light. The semidarkness was +tantalizing, overcoming, but the boy went bravely on. Occasionally he +stopped to listen. But no sound reached his ears. Could it be possible +that Fekmah had been.... + +The thought was not a pleasant one, and Bob dismissed it from mind. +Here was a door. Perhaps this would reveal something. + +As quietly as possible he turned the latch and peeped in the room. + +In the darkness he could make out no one at first. Then his eyes +almost burst from his head as he saw, lying on the floor in the +corner, tightly bound and gagged--Fekmah! + +For a moment Bob stood spellbound. Then he rushed over to the +unfortunate man. + +"Fekmah," he cackled gently and then bent over and felt of the Arab's +heart. It was still beating, and with a swift motion of a small knife +Bob cut the ropes that bound the man. Then he removed the gag and +stood back to see if his friend had been injured. + +The Arab's eyes opened, and he sat up with a start. A moment later the +look of fear vanished from his face as he saw Bob. + +"Praise be to Allah!" he murmured, getting feebly to his feet. + +"Are you hurt?" the youth asked. + +"No--not yet," was the grim reply. "But the evil-doers were going to +come back and kill me if I not tell where to find treasure. It is time +now that they come. Let us go in haste, or they will stab us." + +"Treasure?" cried Bob. "You mean they wanted you to tell where the +hidden riches in the desert are?" + +"Yes. They were going torture me if I not tell. They are demons. Allah +curse them!" + +"But how did they know?" demanded Bob. "How did they find out about +it? They're not the same ones who wrecked the train, are they?" + +Fekmah shook his head. + +"How they find out, I not know," he said. + +Cautiously they made for the door and opened it. Satisfied that there +was no one in sight, they walked through the hallway and into the +alcove. + +"Now we must be careful," Bob warned. "I knocked a man out a while +ago, and he may have come to by now." + +But when they reached the place, they found the fellow still limp. + +At sight of the Arab, Fekmah looked at Bob with admiration. It was +evident that the youth had gone beyond his expectations. + +In a short time they reached the door into the first room and found +that Dr. Kirshner was still guarding the Arabs. The scientist looked +up in relief when he again saw Bob and Fekmah. + +"I feared something had happened to you," the scientist said. "I +shouldn't have allowed you to go in there," he said to Bob. "But I see +you've done your duty and brought back Fekmah." + +"But what shall we do now?" Bob asked. "Are there any officers to take +charge of these crooks?" + +"Yes," the archæologist returned. "You and Fekmah stay here and guard +these men and I will go after them. It is best not to take them down +to the police station for fear of attracting too much attention. Other +Arab friends might charge us in a large band." + +The next moment he was gone, after having promised that he would be +back with officers in a few minutes. + +"There ought to be some way to get the fellow I knocked out in here," +Bob thought, as he guarded the Arabs closely. "But I'd better not risk +letting Fekmah have the gun. I'll trust the fellow is still out of his +senses when Dr. Kirshner and the officers arrive." + +The Arabs whom the youth was guarding were silent, but their evil +faces suggested what they would do if given the chance. + +Bob was in a position where he could also watch the door in the next +room. He was taking no chances on an attack from behind. + +"I bet Dad and the others are worried," the boy thought. "We've been +gone a long time." + +Inside of ten minutes Dr. Kirshner was back with three native +policemen, who handled the crooks roughly. Each man was handcuffed and +made to walk in front of the officers. + +"Now," said Dr. Kirshner, "suppose we get back to the hotel room. Our +prolonged absence has probably caused a great deal of anxiety among +our friends." + +"Yes," Bob returned. "We----" He stopped suddenly and then dashed into +the next room for the crook whom he had previously knocked out. + +But he was not surprised to find the man gone. An opened door revealed +that he had escaped. + +"No use looking for him," the youth thought, as he retraced his +footsteps back to his companions. + +Bob was forced to explain to Dr. Kirshner, who was puzzled at the +youth's sudden dashing away. When he had finished, the scientist +regarded him admiringly but warned him against taking unnecessary +chances. + +"Those fellows would think nothing of stabbing you to death," he said, +shaking his head gravely. + +They went on up the street and arrived in a short time at the hotel in +which were their friends. Up at Fekmah's room they were given a hearty +welcome. + +"What kept you so long?" asked Mr. Holton, seeing at a glance that +something was wrong. + +Dr. Kirshner related the details of the previous happenings, laying +stress on the pluck and bravery of Bob. + +The naturalists and Joe listened closely, eager to get an account of +everything. They did not seem unduly surprised, for at the start they +felt that something was wrong. But that their friends would be in such +grave danger was not in the least anticipated. + +"It's lucky that you're here to tell it," said Mr. Lewis, with a +shaking of his head. "Such desperate characters know nothing else but +to rob and kill." + +"But as it is," smiled Joe, "you came out all right, and had an +unusual experience at that." Secretly he was sorry he had not taken +part in it. + +"And that is the second time Bob brought in criminals," said Mr. +Lewis, recalling an incident that happened the summer before. + +"I'd rather you wouldn't take such risks, though," urged Mr. Holton. +"If one taxes good fortune too much, he is sure to come to a tragic +end some time." + +There was a short silence. Then Joe ventured to touch upon the matter +that concerned them before the abrupt interruption of a short time +ago. + +"What will be our next move?" he inquired. + +"Hmm," hesitated Dr. Kirshner, "that is hard to say at present. I +suppose, though, that the logical thing to do is wait and take a train +to Wargla as soon as possible. When the track will be cleared is hard +to say. It might be a day, or it might be several. I can see no other +way of getting to Wargla, can you, Fekmah?" + +"No," replied the Arab. "Of course there are good roads part of way, +and might ride automobile some of way, but train could get there +sooner, even if we wait." + +"I guess you're right," agreed Joe, thoughtfully. "There's no use +wasting time trying to do a thing that can't be done. Have you made +inquiries as to about when we can expect the train to be ready?" + +"Yes," answered Dr. Kirshner. "The station agent said inside of two +days, but it probably won't be that soon." + +"Let's hope it will," said Bob. "I'm anxious to get started into the +desert. How long will it probably be before we reach our destination, +once we get started on camelback?" + +"That all depends," replied the archæologist. "If we see fit to use +dromedaries, or the one-hump camel, we will make much better time. +They can travel from ninety to a hundred miles a day with ease, and if +forced, can do much better than that." + +"But the jolting is most uncomfortable," Mr. Lewis reminded him, and +Fekmah nodded. + +"Soon get used to it, though, don't you?" asked Joe. + +Fekmah laughed. + +"No, never," he said. "But not feel it so bad after many days of +riding." + +"But getting back to your question," resumed the archæologist, +speaking to Joe, "if we have good luck we should cover the thousand +miles to the Ahaggar Mountains inside of two weeks, considering, of +course, stops at oases, small towns, and the like. Then how soon we +can find the hidden riches would be a mere guess, because without the +map Fekmah will probably have much more difficulty in recognizing +various landmarks." + +"But you must remember that our main object was to work for the good +of science," Bob's father said. "Mr. Lewis and I were to get specimens +of any animal life that exists in the far reaches of the desert, and +you were to look up the remains of ancient civilizations. +Incidentally, though, we'll search for the hidden riches." + +"And Joe and I were to take motion pictures when we get started on +camelback," said Bob proudly. + +"Speaking of animal life," began Mr. Lewis, "suppose in the morning we +get out in the open country and see if we can collect any specimens. +From what I've read and heard, I guess it is necessary to go at least +as far as Arba before we would find a region that is worth hunting +in." + +"I'm with you," said Mr. Holton. "We'll engage an automobile to take +us the fourteen miles or so to Arba, and then foot it from there. It +will be funny if we can't bag a few worth-while specimens, at least." + +"Of course Joe and I can go, can't we?" grinned Bob. + +"You bet. And Dr. Kirshner and Fekmah, if they care to." + +But those persons announced that they would remain in Algiers and +further discuss the coming expedition. + +"Then too," the archæologist remarked, "I'd like to keep posted on the +progress made in getting the train ready for the journey to Wargla." + +It was well past noon, and the explorers now realized for the first +time that they were extremely hungry. The strain of the eventful +morning had stimulated their appetites to a high degree, and they felt +they could devour almost anything in the way of food. + +"Lead me to the café and watch what happens," said Joe, making for the +door. + +The others followed, and although not as emotional they were no less +hungry. + +The meal tasted good, despite the fact that they were ignorant of its +composition. Fekmah tried to explain one of the dishes, but the +foodstuffs used in its preparation were unknown to the Americans, and +they were as much in the dark after he had finished the explanation as +before he had begun it. + +"We'll trust there isn't anything repulsive in its make-up," smiled +Mr. Holton. + +"At any rate the taste isn't so bad," came from Bob. "I've seen stuff +much worse." + +"Referring to the delicacies of the South American Indians, I +suppose," laughed Mr. Lewis, and the boys nodded. + +"We were forced to eat almost anything for a while," reflected Joe. +"Getting lost in the Brazilian jungle was a serious thing, and we +realized it. Then when we got in with those savages, we accepted their +offer of food at once, even though we weren't sure it was all right." + +"That was a great adventure, boys," remarked Mr. Holton, his thoughts +going back to the countless days of river traveling in unknown South +America. "The more I think of it the more convinced I am that we +should be extremely proud of that exploit. Mr. Lewis and I have had +many adventures in unknown lands while collecting specimens for the +museum, but none surpasses that one." + +"I'd like to go there some time," said Dr. Kirshner. "But so far, my +work as an archæologist has not called me into that region. When it +will, if ever, I do not know." + +After the bountiful meal the explorers took it easy in the hotel, and +Fekmah returned to his room. + +"Since we haven't anything in particular to do, we might as well rest +up for the hunting trip tomorrow," said Mr. Lewis, as he and the +others sat in the lobby of their hotel. "We've had a hard day of it +and deserve to be idle for a while." + +The others agreed, and the remainder of the day was spent in quiet. + +But early the next morning the boys and their fathers were busily +preparing for the hunting expedition. By seven o'clock they had their +rifles and other necessities in readiness, and with a farewell to Dr. +Kirshner, who wished to talk over the Sahara journey with Fekmah, they +left the hotel. + +Mr. Lewis had earlier made arrangements for a car to take them to +Arba, whence they would go on foot into the forests and desert. The +automobile was parked in a small garage not far away, and they reached +the place in but a few minutes. It was a low, dirty structure, with +few windows. + +A swarthy native came out to meet them and at once recognized Mr. +Lewis. He led the way through a small door and into a room that served +as the garage. + +"Here we are," said Joe's father, as they rounded a corner. + +He pointed to something that at once caused Bob and Joe to burst out +with laughter. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +Through Unknown Forests + + +"That a car--an automobile?" asked Bob, holding back his laughter. + +"You don't mean to say that thing will take us fourteen miles!" cried +Joe, no less moved than his chum. + +The naturalists smiled. They had apparently not expected this. + +"It's about the best we can do here," confessed Mr. Lewis. "Of course +there are better automobiles, but none of them seems to be for hire. +You see, this drive-yourself idea doesn't appear to be very popular +here. I suppose it's because there is so much danger of being attacked +by bands of nomads who would think nothing of robbing the occupants +and stealing the car. But this car, although not beautiful to look at, +has a good motor and good tires, and that's about all we could expect. +Remember, we're not in America now." + +The object of their remarks was indeed not anything to be especially +proud of. A well-known American make, it had undoubtedly been of +great service in its time, and was still capable of covering many +more miles. It had no top, and nothing to show that one had been +present, but the seats were in fair condition, and a well-shined +windshield promised to keep away the formidable dust of the desert. + +"Well, I suppose we could do much worse," sighed Joe, taking his place +in the back seat. + +After a few more remarks with the keeper of the garage, the +adventurers started the motor and pulled out into the street, Mr. +Lewis at the wheel. The chug of the engine was almost deafening, but, +as Bob remarked, they would probably get used to it. + +"Ought to be some new springs," said Joe, with a wink at his chum. + +"And there could be new upholstering," added Bob. "Of course it needs +new----" + +"All right, boys," smiled Mr. Holton, cutting off their capricious +suggestions. "If you don't like it, you know what you can do." + +"I guess we'd better shut up," grinned Bob. "We may get thrown out on +our ear." + +Mr. Lewis had studied the map of Algiers and had no difficulty in +finding his way out of the city and to Maison Carrée, which might +almost be called a suburb of the metropolis. From here they went +almost straight south and soon came to a narrow river, which was +spanned by a small bridge. + +"Scarcely any curves from here on," said Mr. Lewis, as he increased +the speed of the car. + +The road remained good, and in a short time they reached Arba, their +destination. Here for the first time they caught a glimpse of a camel +caravan, for they are never seen as far as Algiers. It was composed of +about ten dromedaries, with only three riders. Strapped on the brutes' +backs were packs containing probably dates and other products of the +desert. + +Bob and Joe took in the scene with intense interest, for soon they +would be fitted out in a like manner for the long desert journey. The +youths were particularly anxious to observe the manner in which the +brutes are ridden. They had heard that to straddle a camel and be able +to bounce freely along was an art that came only of long practice. +Whether this was true they did not know but resolved to find out +sooner or later from Fekmah. + +"I'll bet it's harder than it looks, though," remarked Joe. + +A little later they saw other caravans of donkeys, the usual beast of +burden used near the coast. + +"The Arab, unlike other natives, never carries his load," explained +Mr. Holton. "I guess he thinks it lowers himself too much." + +They drove on into the town and had more trouble finding good streets +than in Algiers. + +Luckily it was Wednesday, and the market was in full swing. Traders +were swarming everywhere, buying and selling the queer native goods +and foodstuffs. + +"Suppose we park the car where we can and look about a bit," suggested +Joe. "It's no special hurry to begin the hunt, is it?" + +The others were more than willing, and as soon as possible the +automobile--if it could be called that--was stopped at a convenient +corner. + +"Sure feels good to get out and stretch," smiled Bob, taking advantage +of the opportunity to relax his cramped legs. + +They left the car and made for the business center of the town, intent +upon spending a half-hour or so in watching the busy scene of +interest. + +It was soon discovered that except for the large market there was +little of interest to be seen. In many respects the town resembled +Algiers, although on a much smaller scale and not nearly as modern. +The streets were narrow and, in many cases, curving, and the houses +were far from attractive. But the hustle and bustle of the natives +clearly indicated that Arba was of considerable importance +commercially. + +This was especially noted in the city market, where every article +imaginable was for sale. Bakers, vegetable dealers, butchers, +shoemakers, wine venders, and many others did their best to convince +the buyer of the worth of their products. + +"And over there in that tent is a physician," pointed out Mr. Lewis. +"How good he would be considered in the United States is hard to say, +but the Arabs seem to have confidence in him. Look at the patients +going in." + +"For my part, I'd rather trust nature to cure my illness," smiled Bob, +as he noted the rather blank expression of the native physician. + +The explorers spent nearly a half-hour in the city, taking in the +various sights so strange and interesting to a visitor from a far-away +land. At last Mr. Holton moved that they go back to the car and get +their rifles and begin the hunt, and the others were in favor of doing +so. + +Their lunch, cartridges, binoculars, and other hunting necessities +were packed in lightweight ruck sacks, which required but a minute to +strap on their backs. + +The car was to be left where it was, as probably no better parking +place could be found. + +"Guess we're ready," said Mr. Lewis, picking up his rifle. + +It required but a short walk to reach the edge of the town, and one +glance revealed that the country here was wild and uncultivated. +Mountains were but a short distance away, and some of the peaks were +rather impressive. + +"Those forests look like there might be anything in them," observed +Joe, directing his glance at the towering wooded slopes. + +"We'll see in a short time," said his father, fumbling his rifle. + +The foothills over which they were passing were, for the most part, +bare and devoid of heavy vegetation. But a little later they came to a +region that gradually sloped upward, and less than an hour's traveling +brought them to the base of a high, sloping mountain, which was +covered with a dense forest. + +With renewed efforts they began the task of climbing, keeping a sharp +lookout for any wild animals that might dart out in front of them. + +"About all the wild animals to be found here are rabbits, jackals, +hyenas, panthers, and a very few lions," said Mr. Holton, as they +trudged up the hill. + +Luckily there were no sharp cliffs to be scaled. Instead, the way was +gradual, unbroken. + +"I'd like to get a glimpse of one of those queer creatures that have +been reported to exist in these woods," remarked Mr. Holton with a +smile. + +"What's that?" asked Joe. + +"Another Arabian myth, most likely. At any rate I know of nobody who +has ever been fortunate enough to see one. It is supposed to be about +the size of a badger and is a very peculiar combination of six or more +well-known animals. The face, eyes, tail, abdomen, and other body +regions are supposed to be taken from other creatures; and all the +details are very accurate and convincing, to hear the Arab tell it. +Again arises the question of where such queer conceptions get into his +head." + +As they hiked on, Bob and Joe began to get behind their elders. There +was much to be seen in the way of odd plants and colorful flowers, and +their attention was continually diverted from one thing to another. + +"I suppose when we get as seasoned in the art of exploring as our dads +we'll not notice such minorities," said Bob. "But right now----" + +He stopped suddenly as he caught sight of something that made his +blood turn cold. + +Not five feet away was a huge wild boar, showing its terrible tusks +savagely as it prepared to rush at the youths. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Good News + + +"What is it?" cried Joe, as he noticed the look of anxiety on his +chum's face. + +For answer, Bob pointed to the wild boar, and as Joe glanced around he +shrank back in consternation. + +"Quick!" he cried. "It's going to charge!" + +There was no time to lose. The animal, angered because cornered, was +getting ready to stand its ground savagely. And the boys had heard of +the wild boar's terrible ferocity. + +Almost in unison the youths raised their rifles and took careful aim. +The guns were of only twenty-two caliber, not any too powerful for the +occasion, but the chance had to be taken. + +"Now," murmured Bob, holding his rifle in a steady position. + +Bang! Bang! Two shots rang out, and each found the mark. + +But the small bullets did not stop the beast's charge, and it came on +with horrible atrocity. + +"Run!" cried Bob, his nerve completely gone. "Let's go up a tree!" + +As the youths darted to one side, a shot rang out; another; and still +another. A moment later the wild boar sank to the ground in a crumpled +mass, gave a convulsive twitch, and then lay still. + +Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton came running up, on their faces a look of +apprehension. + +"A narrow escape!" said Joe grimly. "It's a good thing you came across +with those high-speed bullets. They sure did the job, all right." + +"We just happened to glance around in time," explained his father. "We +didn't know you boys were so far behind. Why didn't you bring larger +rifles?" + +"Weren't expecting to meet such a creature as this," replied Bob. "I +had an idea that this was a tame country, but I see I'm wrong," with a +glance at the wild boar. + +"You certainly are," smiled Mr. Holton, shaking his head. "And this +incident may be the beginning of a series of adventures with wild +animals. Where there's one of a thing there's likely to be another. So +stick close, boys. I'd hate to have to rely on those twenty-twos +again." + +The wild boar was shattered by the bullets and was no good as a +specimen. The naturalists especially wanted one of these terrible +beasts and were put out to think that this one had been made +worthless by the rifles, but they were thankful that they had been +able to come to the rescue of their sons. + +With one last look at the creature they resumed the hike, this time +keeping a closer lookout for any other formidable beast. + +As they penetrated deeper into the forest, signs of life began to +increase in numbers. Small rodents darted out, only to be brought down +by the guns of the naturalists; lizards of grotesque and ugly shapes +were all about; birds of many colors flew overhead, their plumage +showing brightly in the sunlight. It was a sight that the youths never +grew tired of. + +Suddenly a jackal ran out, and Mr. Holton lost no time in firing at +it. It was carefully but quickly skinned and placed in the burlap bag +for the specimens. + +"This forest certainly is untrodden," observed Mr. Lewis, unable to +discern the faintest traces of human tracks. "It has probably been a +long time since anyone broke into its fastness." + +"Which is all the better for us," said Joe. "Animals here probably +have never heard the sound of a gun before." + +Along toward noon they picked out a small grassy area and got out the +kit of lunch. The sandwiches were spread on a paper, and thermos +bottles of cold lemonade were opened. To the tired adventurers it +promised to be a feast fit for a king. + +"No meal in the most luxurious café tastes better than a bountiful +lunch in the heart of a forest," said Mr. Lewis. + +Bob's father nodded. + +"It has been said that no one but an explorer really knows what an +appetite is," he remarked. "And in times when I'm working in the +museum at home and not doing any strenuous work I can fully realize +the truth of it." + +They ate the lunch in quiet contentment, taking it easy on the soft +grass. It seemed good to be out on the trail again, feasting on the +wonders of nature. Bob and Joe were impressed by the stillness of the +great forest. + +"This is about the only kind of a woods you can get through," remarked +Bob, his eyes on the numerous cork-oak trees. "A tropical jungle has +so much undergrowth and vines that it keeps you busy cutting them away +with a machete." + +An hour or two after the repast was spent in resting their tired limbs +and chatting merrily. Then Mr. Lewis suggested that they continue the +hunt. + +"We won't have so very much time left," he said. "And we'd like to get +several more specimens." + +A little later they came to a narrow valley between two high +mountains. A tiny spring trickled from beside a large rock, and they +welcomed the taste of the refreshing liquid. It was quite cold, +showing that it probably came from an underground stream. + +"Drink all you want," said Mr. Lewis. "It's likely the last water +we'll see till we get back to Arba." + +All the remainder of that afternoon the explorers trudged on, bringing +down several small animals and birds. None of them happened to be +dangerous, however. + +The hunters had described a wide circle that took them by sundown +within a mile or two from Arba, and the accuracy of the naturalists' +calculations was greatly appreciated, for they were very tired and did +not feel that they would care to have to hike a great distance to get +to the automobile. + +"Wonder if the old car's still there," mused Bob, as they came to the +limits of Arba. + +"Don't know why it shouldn't be," returned his chum. "Nobody'd want it +for anything." + +It required but a short time to reach the main part of the town. Then +they turned off on the street where the car was parked. + +"It's there!" cried Joe, making out its ancient shape in the distance. + +The others shared in his enthusiasm. They had had an uneasy feeling +about its safety all day, despite the fact that the ignition had been +locked. + +In a short time the explorers were in the seats, and Joe, who had +asked to drive, began the task of starting the engine. It finally +responded to the sluggish self-starter. + +"Now let's hurry and get back to Algiers," urged Mr. Holton. "We don't +want to be out after dark, for there's no telling how good these +lights are." + +During the next half-hour Joe pulled the throttle as far down as +possible, and then complained because he could only do forty-five. +However, it was not long before they saw the lights of Algiers in the +distance. + +"Now to get something to eat," said Mr. Holton, sitting up in the seat +in anticipation. "It will be good to see the old hotel again, won't +it?" + +"Sure will," replied Bob. "I'll bet Dr. Kirshner expected us long +before this." + +"He's probably conversing with Fekmah," was the opinion expressed by +Mr. Lewis. "You know," he went on, "that Arab is a strange contrast to +these worthless fellows around here. It all goes to show what anyone +can do if he wants to." + +"He's educated, too, isn't he?" inquired Joe. + +"Yes, highly," the naturalist replied. "Was graduated from the +University of Algiers and received a degree. What he doesn't know +isn't worth knowing." + +"Where is his home?" asked Bob. "He doesn't live in Algiers, does he?" + +"No. He lives in Oran; that's about a hundred and twenty-five miles or +so west of here. Quite a prosperous city, I guess." + +"But," questioned Bob, thoroughly puzzled, "what is he doing here in +Algiers?" + +"It all goes back to Dr. Kirshner's conversation with him on the +ship," Mr. Holton explained. "You see, Tom"--referring to the +archæologist--"met him on the last day of the voyage and recognized +him to be a very intellectual man. As soon as Fekmah found that he +could trust Kirshner, he confided this secret about the hidden riches. +Well, then, when he found that we would accept his proposition and +make it one of the objects of the expedition to search for this +treasure, Fekmah put up at a hotel in Algiers in order to accompany us +into the Sahara. See?" + +"Sure. I don't know now why I didn't before." + +They were now among the lights of Algiers, and Joe headed straight for +the business section, where the car was to be returned to the garage. + +They reached the place in a short time and left the automobile. Then +they hurried around to their hotel. + +When they came to their room, they found Dr. Kirshner and Fekmah in +earnest conversation. When the two heard their friends in the hall, +they arose, wreathed in smiles. + +"We have good news for you," announced Dr. Kirshner joyously. "The +train is leaving for Wargla in the morning." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Off for the Sahara + + +"Hurrah!" burst out Joe, overwhelmed with delight. "We'll get ahead of +those crooks after all." + +"When did you find out?" asked Mr. Holton, as overjoyed as the youth. + +"Late this afternoon," was the response. "We intended to make frequent +trips to the railroad station in order to know as soon as possible. +The agent there informed us that the track had been cleared last night +and the locomotive repaired this morning. He didn't give the +impression that there are other trains on this route, but I suppose +there are." + +"That's fine!" exclaimed Mr. Lewis, as excited as a boy. "We'll get a +meal at once and then complete preparations for the journey. Have you +two eaten?" + +"Yes," returned Fekmah. "It is getting late. Six, seven o'clock." + +The naturalists and their sons made their way to the café and did full +justice to a delicious meal. Then they went back to their room and +finished packing their possessions. + +"Do you know," remarked Joe that night just before retiring, "we were, +in a sense, responsible for that train wreck?" + +Bob looked up in surprise. + +"If it hadn't been for our proposed expedition, those two Arabs would +have had no cause to wreck the train," Joe explained. + +"Oh. Indirectly, huh? Well, you're right." + +Very early the next morning the explorers were up making last-minute +preparations. The train was to leave for Wargla at eight o'clock, +giving them three hours or so to use to best advantage. + +"When do we reach our destination?" asked Bob, as he snapped the catch +on his handbag. + +"At about noon day after tomorrow," answered Dr. Kirshner. "You see, +it's a three-hundred-and-seventy-five-mile journey, and the train +won't go any too fast through the mountains." + +"Mountains? Do we go through mountains?" queried Joe, a little +surprised. + +"Yes, twice. Through these around here and then in the more lofty +Aures. And the scenery is said to be wonderful." + +"What cities do we pass through?" Bob asked. + +"Setif, Batna, Biskra, and Tuggourt are the principal ones," the +archæologist replied. "But there are a number of smaller towns. Get a +map. There's one in the pocket of that bag over there." + +The boys took out the guide to Algeria and studied it closely. They +found that the railroad did not make a straight run but curved +considerably in order to pass through several important cities and +towns. The map was not strictly up to date and consequently did not +show the new stretch from Tuggourt to Wargla. + +"It's been constructed only recently," explained Mr. Lewis. "At +present the French have proposed building a trans-Sahara route. When +they will begin it, if ever, we don't know." + +"Perhaps not in our lifetimes," smiled Joe. "Large enterprises like +that come very slowly." + +An hour before train time everything was in readiness, and it was Mr. +Holton who suggested that they go down to the railroad station. + +The others were in favor of doing so, and as it was but a short +distance away they were content to walk and carry their belongings. +There was a good-sized load, but it was distributed evenly without +anyone being overtaxed. + +At the station they checked the things securely and safely. Even then +they had a leisure half-hour. + +"You may be surprised at sight of the train," said Fekmah. + +And they were. The Americans had expected to see rickety wood coaches +attached to an incapable locomotive, but instead they saw a large, +fine train of the French design. + +"All due to the influence of France, I suppose," remarked Dr. +Kirshner, as he followed the others up in the coach. + +A few minutes later they felt a slight jerk and the train began moving +slowly away from the station. Gradually it picked up speed, and before +long Algiers disappeared on the horizon. + +"We're off!" said Joe enthusiastically. "Before long we'll see the +great Sahara Desert!" + +It required but a few minutes to reach Maison Carrée, and after a +short stop they began the journey in earnest. Rapidly they passed +through cultivated fields, orange groves, and vineyards, heading for +the mountains. Small farmhouses were left behind, their owners +laboring in the fields. Villages inhabited largely by whites were +passed, and occasionally a five-horse cart loaded with swarthy Arabs +could be seen winding slowly along the shaded roads. + +Finally they came to the Djurdjura Mountains, after having passed +through the dense forest of La Reghaia. Through numerous tunnels and +around scenic gorges they went, and finally came to Palestro, a small +town on the banks of the Isser River. Here the train stopped for a few +brief minutes. + +Again it took up the journey, speeding through the beautiful mountain +gorges. In the narrow valleys farmers could be seen laboring with +primitive implements. The next stop was Beni-Mansour, where the +railroad branched. + +Still on they went, the mountainous country gradually growing wilder +and more beautiful. Occasionally they found themselves in a narrow +gulch between high walls of rock, and a curious sensation of being +hemmed in crept over them. + +After passing through a long tunnel, the train sped out on a barren +plain, with little vegetation and few or no people. Another stop was +at Setif, a modern city populated by Americans and Europeans as well +as natives. + +Resuming the journey, they passed over another great stretch of level +country, and then finally a mountain range could be seen in the +distance. But just when the explorers were anticipating the change of +scenery, the train pulled into El Guerrah and stopped. + +"Here we must get off," announced Fekmah, getting his belongings +together. "We must change trains for Biskra. This one goes on." + +The explorers lugged their belongings out on the platform and into the +station. + +Darkness was fast approaching, and as it would be necessary to remain +in El Guerrah overnight, the adventurers stepped into the hotel, which +was the only structure in sight. + +"The town is some distance away," declared Fekmah. "We not have time +to see it." + +At the hotel they engaged rooms and lost no time in getting to them. +Sleepiness was rapidly overpowering them, and they went to bed at +once. + +The next morning they awaited the train to take them on the remainder +of the journey. At eight o'clock it was there, and the explorers +climbed aboard, eager to get started on the last stretch. + +"What's the next stop?" asked Bob, as he stretched out on the +comfortable seat. + +"Batna," his father returned. "Quite a prosperous place, I guess. And +it is the starting point for tourist excursions to several Roman +cities that are of considerable interest historically." + +Inside of an hour that city was reached. A short stop and then they +were off for Biskra, at the very edge of the Sahara. + +"We are now three thousand five hundred feet above the level of the +sea," declared Fekmah, as the train sped over the last few miles of +level country. + +Soon they came to the Aures Mountains, and between high walls of rock +they sped. At last the short range of peaks was passed, and they found +themselves once more on comparatively level ground. + +Suddenly Fekmah pointed to a high ridge of rock: + +"The Sahara Desert!" he exclaimed. "We have come to it at last." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Across the Desert + + +At the Arab's welcome remark, Bob and Joe sat up with a start. + +"At last!" murmured Joe. "Though I'll admit it doesn't look much like +a desert to me." + +"There's still quite a bit of vegetation," said Dr. Kirshner. "But +nevertheless, that rocky wall is classed as the mark of the desert's +edge." + +Another small town was left behind. Then, almost without knowing it, +they reached Biskra, a modern city that is much frequented by +tourists. The train came to a stop at a small but well-built station. + +"Here we must get off again," said Dr. Kirshner. "The train does not +leave for Wargla in the daytime because of the excessive heat." + +They found much to interest them the remainder of the afternoon. For +Biskra, with its picturesque natives, lanes of dirty houses, quaint +cafés, and modern buildings held their constant attention. + +That evening the train arrived for Wargla, and the explorers were glad +to continue the journey. + +For the next eight hours they sped along barren country, only the +outline of which could be seen in the darkness. At last they stopped +at Tuggourt, formerly the last stop on the railroad. + +"It won't be long now," sang Joe, as he sat up in his seat +expectantly. + +The train covered the fifty-mile journey in less than an hour, and +then, after gradually moving downhill, it passed through a cluster of +mud houses and pulled up at a modern station. + +"All off!" said Mr. Holton. "Here's Wargla, our destination." + +They got their bags off the train, and then stood for some time taking +in their environment. + +The sun was just beginning to peep from behind a high sand dune, and +it was rather easy to make out the landscape. Over to one side was a +high minaret of earth, the tallest sun-dried clay mound in existence. +Scattered about were numerous clusters of date trees, and to their +left was Wargla, glittering with many lights. + +"Now what?" inquired Bob, rousing himself. + +"Better get to the hotel," answered Dr. Kirshner. "From what I've +heard, it has been built but recently, and we'll have everything of +the latest design." + +A sign told them that the hotel was only a short distance away, and +picking up their belongings, they walked over to it. + +It was all that could be asked for, with modern conveniences that the +explorers had not dreamed of enjoying in such an out-of-the-way place. + +"Better turn in right away," suggested Dr. Kirshner. "It isn't +advisable to start the desert journey without having had any sleep." + +After the train trip it felt good to stretch out on the comfortable +beds. Despite their youth, Bob and Joe were very tired. + +"We must wake up at dawn tomorrow," Bob reminded his chum. "We'll have +to get our stuff together early." + +Notwithstanding this, the youths' deep slumber made it necessary for +their elders to awaken them. They felt rather sheepish as they arose +and noticed that the sun was well up in the sky. + +"Guess we haven't developed our mental alarm clocks yet," grinned Joe, +slipping hurriedly into his clothes. + +"Now, boys," said Mr. Holton, opening the door of their room, "we're +going out to find a guide and camels. You had better come along, so +you can practise riding. It isn't easy to get used to a dromedary's +trot. First, though, go and get your breakfast." + +When the meal was finished, they joined the men in the hotel lobby. +Fekmah, as the best-informed concerning the Sahara, acted as the +leader. + +"The man in charge of hotel told me of worthy man who will be our +guide on the expedition," he said. "He lives at edge of town, not far +away." + +"Fine! Then we'll go there at once." Mr. Lewis walked over to the +door, followed by the others. + +The fellow lived in a small, low structure of clay, and although not +pleasing to the eye, it probably lessened the intense heat of the +fierce desert sun. + +Fekmah knocked at the door. A moment later a tall Arab greeted them, +his face thin but not indicating that he was possessed of a weak +constitution. + +"Are you Tishmak?" Fekmah asked. + +The Arab nodded. + +Fekmah then conversed rapidly in the native tongue, and although the +Americans could not catch the meaning of most of the words, they +gathered that their friend was succeeding in employing the man to act +as a guide. A moment later he confirmed their suspicions. + +"He will go," Fekmah said delightedly. "And his price is right." He +then proceeded to introduce the Americans as best he could in his own +language, for the guide could not speak English. + +"Now," began Dr. Kirshner, "what about the camels? Can this fellow, +Tishmak, get them? How many will we need? Ask him, Fekmah. I'm afraid +I can't get along very well with his mixed dialect." + +Their friend put the question before the guide, and he at once gave +them an answer. + +"He says he can get them," Fekmah translated. "And how many we will +need depends on our own taste. But he makes suggest that we use +twenty. That is seven for us to ride and thirteen to carry food and +other things." + +"All right," said Dr. Kirshner. "Have him lead us to them now, so that +we can practise riding." + +Fekmah again turned to the man, who a moment later nodded and motioned +for them to follow him. + +Ten minutes later, after having wound through many narrow streets, the +explorers found themselves in a large open field at the edge of the +town. About them were grazing a hundred or more camels. + +"Here we are," declared Fekmah, his eyes on the idle beasts. + +Tishmak had a moment before left for the house. Now he returned with a +thin, lithe Arab, who was evidently the owner of the camels. + +A short conference between Fekmah and the stranger took place. Then +Fekmah turned to the Americans. + +"We can have the dromedaries," he said. "And he is asking only a fair +amount. Come and I will pick them out." + +The others followed him over the field, where he singled out twenty +of the best-looking beasts. + +"Now," said Mr. Holton, "we want to practise riding before we start on +the real journey. Perhaps we'd better do that this afternoon. Then we +can load up in the evening and get started in the morning." + +Fekmah nodded. + +"We'll go now and come back this afternoon," he said. + +Shortly after the noon meal the explorers left the hotel, intent upon +trying their skill astride the ponderous humps. None of them but +Fekmah had ever had the experience of riding on camelback. + +"Wonder how it'll be?" mused Joe. + +He soon saw. Aside from a most uncomfortable jerking it was a novel +and enjoyable experience, for the time being, at least, surpassing +horseback-riding. + +"But you'll soon get tired of it," said Mr. Holton. "At least Fekmah +says so." + +"Dad might say we'll get fed up on it," remarked Bob, when they were +ready to start back to the hotel. "But I haven't yet." + +"Nor I," put in Joe. "But of course, after several days----" + +There was much to be looked after that evening, and it kept the +explorers busy. Tishmak acted as leader in securing the food supply, +which, however, was also to include canned goods. The naturalists and +Dr. Kirshner attended to last-minute preparations, while the youths +kept their time busy in helping the others. + +Early that night they retired, eager to get all the rest possible. + +"Sleep well," said Mr. Lewis, as the boys jumped in bed. "We'll have +it rough from tomorrow on." + +At four o'clock the next morning Bob and Joe were awakened by Mr. +Lewis, and despite the fact that they were still very sleepy, they +began the task of getting their belongings together. It took them the +better part of an hour, although they worked like beavers. + +"We're ready to leave, boys, if you are," called Dr. Kirshner, opening +the door to their room. "The provisions are on the dromedaries, and +Tishmak is ready." + +The youths' hearts were in their mouths. Leave! Leave for the great +Sahara Desert, with its mysteries and thrills and tragedies! They +could hardly come to a full realization of the true situation. + +"It'll be great, Joe, old boy," said Bob, deeply touched. "At the end +of this expedition we'll be full-fledged adventurers." + +The youths went down to the hotel lobby and found their fathers, Dr. +Kirshner, and Fekmah. Tishmak, the newly engaged guide, had left for +the camels, which he promised to have in readiness. + +Fekmah had made arrangements for a mule cart to take their belongings +to the spot where the dromedaries were grazing. Bob and Joe had +scarcely got the last of their bags down when it arrived, driven by a +short, fat native who looked to be a cross between an Arab and a +Negro. + +The paraphernalia was placed in the wagon. Fekmah climbed up with the +driver to direct him to the camels. + +"Guess we've attended to everything," said Dr. Kirshner. "Let's get +started. It's a good ten-minute walk." + +When they reached the place they found Fekmah and Tishmak awaiting +them. The packs had been strapped on the dromedaries' backs, and the +ropes had been harnessed from the back of one animal to the head of +another, keeping them in single file. + +"Well, let's go," urged Mr. Holton, after one more glance to make sure +that everything was in preparation for the long desert journey. + +The explorers got astride the ponderous humps, and then, while the +master of camels gave them a cheery farewell, they moved out for the +unknown. + +The great desert journey had begun. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +Questionable Strangers + + +Before long the little town of Wargla vanished from the horizon, and a +sense of dread crept over Bob and Joe at the thought that they were +now shut off completely from the outside world. What tragedies might +befall them before they would again see the United States? There were +all sorts of dangers out on that vast stretch of wasteland. Would +their lives be threatened--and possibly lost? + +Bob glanced back and saw the worried look on his chum's face. That +Joe's thoughts had been the same as his was evident. + +"Snap out of it, Joe, old man!" he said, rousing himself. "Think of +the fun we'll have. And the strange sights we'll see. It'll be great. +And behind it all lies adventure." + +Joe nodded. His face took on a smile as he anticipated the coming +events. + +"Wonder what adventures we'll have?" he mused. "But I suppose we'll +soon see." + +The boys were at the end of the little caravan, keeping an eye on the +pack camels. Although ropes had been fastened from the back of one +animal to the head of another, keeping them in single file, it was +best to guard them closely, for anything might happen on the desert. + +Tishmak, acting as the guide, was in the lead, followed by Dr. +Kirshner and the youths' fathers. Fekmah was in the middle of the +line. The twenty dromedaries were spread out over perhaps a quarter of +a mile and trotted at a speed that promised to cover many miles in a +short time. + +"I guess dromedaries don't compare with camels when it comes to fast +traveling," remarked Joe, recalling something that Fekmah had said +some time before. "The one-hump animal makes four times as much +speed." + +In the early morning, as it was, the atmosphere was chilly. Bob and +Joe welcomed the warmth of their tight-fitting coats. + +"I never thought I'd need a wrap on the desert," smiled Bob, fastening +the collar around his neck. + +"We'll need more than coats at night, if what Dr. Kirshner said is +true," said Joe. "Gets cold as Greenland's icy mountains." + +"Seems strange, doesn't it?" + +"Yes. But you remember it was the same way in Brazil. And that's about +as hot a country as there is anywhere." + +Soon the flat hill of Gara Krima, dominating the sandy plain, could be +seen, its smooth surface tinted with many colors. Then it was left +behind, and the explorers came to a region of loose sand. The +dromedaries found it more difficult to plod through, and slackened +their rapid pace somewhat. Although their feet were specially adapted +for traveling on sand, they made much better time on hard surfaces. + +"Look at the dust they're making," observed Bob, as a dense cloud of +fine sand particles arose, making it necessary for the youths to ride +a short distance to one side of the pack animals. + +"They don't believe in kicking it up, do they?" Joe said dryly. + +After a while the sun came out in full splendor, sending its dazzling +rays down on the scorched sand. Bob and Joe soon perspired freely, and +were glad to remove their coats. + +"Whew!" gasped Joe. "I'd give anything for a drink of water." + +"So would I," his friend replied. "I'm going to ride on up and ask for +one." + +"Remember me while you're there." + +It was a good distance to the other end of the caravan, but the +sure-footed dromedary trotted along briskly. Fekmah waved as Bob +passed. + +"How about a drink of water, Dad?" asked Bob, coming up to his +father's camel. + +"Go to it," was the answer. "We'll come to a well before long, and +refill the canteens." + +The third and fourth animals back were the water carriers, and Bob +lost no time in filling his container. Then he drank freely of the +refreshing liquid, and felt new life creep into him. Although warm, +the water did wonders in quenching his thirst. + +Again he filled the container and rode back to his friend, who was +delighted. + +"I was afraid they wouldn't let you have it," Joe said, wiping the +perspiration from his brow. + +"Wouldn't have, only there's a well not far away, and we'll have a +chance to refill the tanks." + +"Well, huh? Wonder if they're this close together all along?" + +"Let's hope so." + +A little later the explorers passed a scattering of bones and +skeletons that were partly covered with sand. They were dry from age, +having probably been uncovered by a sandstorm. + +"Camels' bones, I suppose," remarked Joe. "They've become overcome +with thirst, most likely." + +"Who knows but that the skeletons of their riders are there some +place, too," said Bob, his face sober. + +The sight was not a pleasant one, for it brought to mind the fact +that it was altogether too possible that their little caravan might +perish for want of water also. Some time elapsed before the boys +resumed their cheerful mood. + +As they traveled on, the ground became strewn with small red pebbles +that shone brightly in the dazzling sunlight. + +"I guess most of the rocks here are red," remarked Bob, who had +studied books on the Sahara. + +"Burned that color by the sun, huh?" + +"Seems reasonable, doesn't it? Come to think of it, though, the ground +in the Land of Thirst is black." + +"The Land of Thirst?" + +"Yes. I heard Fekmah talking about it this morning. It's a region +where there are few or no wells, and you have to be very careful to +have a good supply of water in the tanks before you plunge into it." + +"Looks like even then it would be dangerous. What if a storm or +something would hold you back for a long time?" + +"Have to take that chance," Bob replied. "Wouldn't doubt that quite a +few caravans come to a tragic end there." + +"Will we go through it?" Joe asked. + +"Fekmah said we might," was the response. + +Finally they came to the well that Mr. Holton had told about. There +was a steady flow of water, which was comparatively cool. + +"Drink all you want," said Dr. Kirshner. "Tishmak says we won't see +another for a long time." + +The explorers drank and drank, until they could hold no more. Then +they began the task of replenishing the tanks. But as little had been +taken out, this was finished in a very few minutes. + +"Now let's get on," urged Mr. Lewis. "We want to cover a good many +more miles yet before we stop for the noon meal." + +Another hour brought them again to a region of hard soil, and the +dromedaries increased their pace several miles per hour. + +"Wish it would stay like this all the way," said Joe, noting that +ground was being covered much faster. + +"Won't though. But we'll have stretches of it here and there." + +As the minutes passed, the glare from the sand became more intense, +and the temperature went steadily up. The boys had dark-colored +glasses but hesitated to put them on so soon. + +"Wouldn't a good cold drink come in fine now?" asked Bob, keeping his +hands off his canteen with difficulty. + +"Sure would. But we must fight the temptation to drink too often," +returned Joe. "Remember, we're on the desert now, and not in the +mountains, where there are plenty of springs." + +They rode rapidly on, the country remaining about the same. The red +pebbles, however, grew more numerous, some of them glowing like +rubies. + +Joe remarked that they were gradually ascending, and Bob nodded. + +"There's a line of high dunes over there," he said, pointing to the +distant horizon. "Fekmah said when we reach those we'll have climbed a +good many hundred feet. We should get to them tomorrow." + +In a short time they passed beyond the stretch of hard soil and again +plodded through loose sand. From all indications, it was heated to a +high degree by the fierce sun. How the dromedaries stood it was a +mystery to the boys. + +"I wonder how Tishmak can find the way to the Ahaggar Mountains?" +mused Joe, glancing up ahead at the guide. "He isn't using a compass." + +"Does seem strange," Bob agreed. "But I suppose he's been over the +route so much that he knows all the landmarks by heart, though it +looks like a sandstorm or something else would change the surface of +the land." + +Mention of the Ahaggars brought to mind the possibilities of finding +the hidden riches. Bob and Joe wondered if the two thieves who had +caused the explorers so much trouble would, with the aid of the +stolen map, locate the treasure first. Perhaps they had already found +the place and were gloating over the success of their wicked scheming. +The youths said nothing, but the expression on their faces told what +they would do to the men if given the opportunity. + +"We'll finally have a chance to square things," thought Bob, gritting +his teeth. "And oh, how those fellows will look when we're through +with them!" + +A little later they came to a deep valley between the mounds of sand. +In order for the camels to cross it they would find it necessary to +climb the steep sides of the dune. + +Mr. Lewis rode back to the boys. + +"Have to be careful here," he warned. "It's rather steep near the top. +Don't let your mounts get out of control." + +The next instant he was on his way back to the front of the caravan. + +The climb was hard and not a little dangerous, but the sure-footed +dromedaries did not even threaten to slip. + +They had barely reached the top when a cry of delight from Joe mingled +with the scarcely less emotional exclamations of the others at sight +of a small oasis not far away down the opposite slope. A number of +tall date palms towered above the green grassy area, an indication +that water was to be had for the taking. + +"Hurrah!" cried Bob. "Water at last!" + +"And if I'm not mistaken, we'll find dates there, too," put in Joe. + +"You're right," affirmed Mr. Lewis, coming up from the side. "And this +seems to be a good spot to stop for the noon meal. We'll have it shady +this afternoon when we take our midday rest." + +Nearer and nearer they were coming to the oasis, when suddenly, from +behind a low dune of sand, appeared a small caravan of Arabs--possibly +bandits. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Fighting Heavy Odds + + +"Keep your hands on your guns," called Dr. Kirshner, as he gazed at +the approaching party of Arabs. + +There were ten of them, and each armed with a short range rifle, +which, although inferior to the guns of the Americans, could do a +great deal of damage. In addition to the mounts of the Arabs, there +were six or seven pack camels that trailed. + +As the caravan came nearer, Tishmak waved and shouted a friendly +greeting, but he did not receive the same in return. Evidently the men +had no friendly intentions. + +Tishmak chattered a moment to Fekmah, who then turned to the +Americans. + +"They are probably nomad bandits," Fekmah said excitedly. "Tishmak +says we might have fight." + +"A fight!" cried Joe. "Why? Are they going to try to rob us?" + +Fekmah nodded. + +"Worse, perhaps," he replied. + +"Those fellows would think nothing of killing all of us," said Mr. +Lewis gravely. "So we want to be ready for anything that might +happen." + +As the Arabs came nearer, their leader shouted something to Tishmak, +whose jaw dropped in surprise and astonishment. + +Tishmak turned to Fekmah and conversed rapidly. Then Fekmah translated +to the Americans. + +"They want two of our camels," he said nervously. + +Dr. Kirshner gasped in amazement. + +"Want two of _our_ camels?" he cried, his voice indicating a high +state of anger. + +"What for?" demanded Bob. + +"They say theirs are too much loaded," Fekmah answered. "Want to +spread out packs on more camels." + +"Well, of all the nerve!" exclaimed Mr. Holton. "Tell them to get out +of here--and get out quick, or we'll fill them full of holes!" + +Fekmah turned to the Arabs and put Mr. Holton's command before them. +Then an answer came. + +"They say they go, but we will be sorry," interpreted Fekmah, as the +men turned their camels in the opposite direction. + +A moment later they disappeared behind a low dune, leaving a cloud of +dust at their heels. + +For a moment there was silence among the explorers. Then Mr. Lewis +spoke up. + +"I don't like this," he said, greatly annoyed. "Those men are likely +to slip up on us when we're not expecting them. And such desperate +characters would lose no time in shooting us." + +"But what can we do?" questioned Bob. + +"Keep on the lookout is all," returned Mr. Holton. "But I'd feel much +safer if this hadn't happened." + +The explorers rode on into the oasis and dismounted. It seemed +pleasing to see green trees and grass again. They were delighted that +good fortune had enabled them to find an oasis at a time when it was +wise to stop for a meal and rest. + +There was good water not far away, and they drank all they wanted, +glad of the chance to quench their rapidly overpowering thirst. + +"Now," began Mr. Holton, "we're going to have something to eat. But +first let's put up the tents. It isn't wise to be in such a sun as +this." + +The bags of supplies were removed from the camels. Then the tents were +taken out and put up by Bob and Joe. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton got out +the food and soon laid out a delicious meal of canned goods and native +products. + +"Eat all you want, but don't gorge yourselves," cautioned Mr. Holton, +as they sat about the tent. "There's plenty of stuff, but still we +must be careful. If we're to be gone any length of time, we'll have +to use our provisions sparingly." + +They ate quietly, taking it easy in the shade of the tent. The heat of +the fierce African sun was somewhat abated by the heavy canvas, which +would also serve as a shelter from sand storms, should any come up. + +When the meal was over, they sat for a few minutes talking. Then +Fekmah got up and went over to the corner of the tent. + +"Let us sleep for two or three hours," he said, curling up on the soft +soil. "The sun will soon get so hot that we cannot travel without +making sick." + +"Suits me," agreed Joe. "I feel like I could sleep for two or three +days." + +"One of us had better stand guard, though," said Mr. Lewis. "That +bandit caravan might return unexpectedly." + +"I'll do it," volunteered Dr. Kirshner. "I'm not sleepy. I'll just +take it easy here and read." + +For the next three hours Bob and Joe slept soundly, forgetting that +they were under a scorching desert sun. They were not tired, but were +extremely drowsy from the heat. + +Then suddenly they were awakened with a start. They looked about +wonderingly. + +Dr. Kirshner stood over them, holding his rifle in readiness. + +"The bandits!" he exclaimed excitedly. "I believe they're coming!" + +Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis jumped to their feet and grabbed their guns. +Cautiously they peered out, holding the flap but a few inches up. + +"Where are they?" demanded Bob's father, while Tishmak and Fekmah ran +forward. + +"I'm not sure that it's they," the archæologist said. "But I heard +camel steps a moment ago, and in this country it is best to +investigate before it's too late." + +A second later Tishmak stopped still and listened. He held up a hand +for silence. Fekmah had also caught a sound. + +"It's they," he whispered. "Camels! They're coming this way!" + +The swishing sound increased, and Dr. Kirshner called his friends +together for a plan of defense. + +"Chances are those bandits were planning on surprising us while we +slept," he said quietly. "They figured that the time to get the camels +they wanted was during our afternoon siesta. But it apparently didn't +occur to them that we would set a guard. + +"Now the thing for us to do is get together and give them a real +welcome with bullets. They'll probably come around the back of the +oasis, where our dromedaries are grazing. We'll go around there and +hide beside that sand dune. Then when the robbers--and I think that's +who the newcomers are--come, we'll fire a volley of bullets into the +air. If we find we can't frighten them away, we'll shoot their camels +from under them. Then if that fails, we'll have to shoot the men." + +The others thought this good advice. + +"We must act cautiously, though," warned Mr. Lewis, as they made their +way to the back of the oasis. + +When they came to the dune, they crouched down and waited. Tishmak +glanced around the corner. + +A moment later he drew back, his face scowling. He mumbled quietly to +Fekmah. + +"They're coming," the latter said. "And they are the robbers." + +The swishing of footsteps grew louder, indicating that the Arabs were +coming nearer. + +"Now!" said Mr. Lewis. "Fire in line, aiming at the sky. Then we'll +see what happens." + +Seven rifles spoke up in rapid succession, a dense cloud of smoke +arising. + +That the robbers had been totally surprised was certain, for a loud +chattering followed. Then the sand was thrown up, and they rode off at +lightning speed. + +Joe peeped around the corner of the dune. + +"They aren't going far," he announced, following the Arabs' movements +closely. "They've stopped behind that sand hill over there." + +"By George!" exclaimed Mr. Holton. "They're going to plant a battery, +are they? Well, just let them waste their ammunition. We won't fire +until necessary." + +"We may need our bullets to use on those two thieves who stole +Fekmah's map," said Bob to his chum, smiling. + +The explorers waited ten minutes for the robbers to take the +aggressive, but they did not. + +"Well," said Dr. Kirshner, turning about, "I'm going over and get our +things packed back on the dromedaries. If nothing prevents, we want to +get started in a short time now. It is much cooler, and we should +cover a good distance by night." + +"We'll stay here and guard a few minutes longer," declared Mr. Lewis. +"There's no telling what those fellows may do." + +Suddenly a sound from the opposite direction caused them to turn +about. Then their expressions changed. + +Not fifty feet down the slope were the robbers, riding at full speed +toward the explorers. The Arabs had their rifles in position to fire, +which they were undoubtedly intending to do when slightly nearer. + +"Quick!" cried Bob, his voice cool but determined. "Fire at them +before they get us!" + +A moment later he took careful aim and pulled the trigger. + +His rifle cracked, and the foremost camel went down, sending its rider +sprawling over the ground. + +Bang! came the sound of Mr. Lewis's gun, and another camel fell. + +The eight Arabs who were still mounted wheeled about and galloped back +hurriedly. As quickly as possible they formed a wide line, one beside +the other, until it stretched several rods. + +"They're going to charge!" observed Dr. Kirshner. "Have your rifles in +position, and make every shot count." + +When the bandits were confident of their formation, their leader gave +the command, and bending low over their camels, they dashed with all +speed toward the explorers. + +Shots rang out from the Arabs' pistols, but they were too unsteady to +cause any damage. + +The explorers' rifles spoke out, and those of Bob and the naturalists +found their marks. + +Again the rifles cracked. Three more camels went down simultaneously. +Now only two of the animals remained on foot, but they were halted +abruptly by their panic-stricken riders. + +"Luckily we downed the leader," remarked Mr. Lewis. "And now," he +added, "suppose we get away from here at once. There will be no +danger of those men starving, for this oasis will furnish them with +food and drink. They can wait for another caravan to furnish them with +more camels." + +Without hesitation the party placed the packs back on the dromedaries +and rode off, Tishmak in the van. + +A few pistol bullets whizzed past uncomfortably close, but soon they +died down as the Arabs saw the futility of their efforts. + +"Whew! That was some experience," remarked Bob, when they were well +out of sight of the oasis. "I hope we see no more such fellows." + +"And you're not the only one," said Dr. Kirshner, shaking his head. +"But the desert swarms with bandits, and it will be strange if we +don't have another such encounter." + +"Maybe we won't have such good luck the next time," mused Joe. + +"Nonsense!" Bob retorted. "We'll drive them off the same as we did +these men." + +"But you got that wrong," corrected Mr. Holton, smiling. "They made +_us_ get away." + +Bob looked a little sheepish as he saw where he had been caught. + +"Well, anyway," he grinned, "they didn't get us." + +As they plodded on, the sand became looser than ever before. The +dromedaries, however, did not seem to notice the change. They plodded +on with the same stiff steps. + +After two hours of constant traveling, the adventurers found +themselves in a narrow valley between two high sand dunes. The country +was gradually losing its level character and was steadily becoming +more hilly. + +Suddenly Mr. Holton gave a cry of delight and pointed to something not +far away. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A Grim Discovery + + +"What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object. + +"Gazelles," returned his father. "A small herd of them." + +In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, +their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight. + +The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an +accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as +specimens. + +Their long-distance rifles were equipped with telescopes, making it +much easier, according to the naturalists, to sight an object at a +hundred yards or more. Bob's gun, however, did not have this +convenience. + +Mr. Lewis prepared to take aim. + +"You take the animal to the extreme right, Howard," he said to Mr. +Holton. "Bob, you pick the one in the middle, and I'll try to get one +at the left. Tom," he said to Dr. Kirshner, "suppose you count to +three. When you say three we'll all fire together. Let's go, now." + +"One, two, THREE." + +Bang! Three rifles spoke as one. + +Mr. Holton cried out in delight. + +"Hurrah!" he said. "Got all of the ones we aimed at. Good work." + +The report of the guns caused great disorder in the herd, the graceful +creatures leaping about at a speed that did their thin, muscular legs +full justice. Before long they had disappeared behind the sand dunes. + +"Now we'll ride over and see what the ones killed look like," said Mr. +Lewis. + +As the dead gazelles were not in a direction that would take the +explorers off their steady course, the pack camels were driven along +also. + +When they reached the spot, Joe cried out in amazement at sight of the +gazelles' sleek skin. It was of a yellowish brown color, and the +abdomen was as white as snow. The legs were long and thin, narrowing +down to a finely shaped hoof. + +"As beautiful an animal as one can find," declared Mr. Lewis, who with +Mr. Holton had been everywhere and knew what he was talking about. + +"Two males and a female," observed Bob's father, noting the curved +horns of the former. + +"Look at the eyes," said Joe. "They're almost jet black." + +The naturalists began at once the task of removing the skins, for it +was best not to leave them on too long under such a sun. + +As soon as this was completed they were placed in a solution of alum +that had been prepared by Dr. Kirshner under the naturalists' +directions. + +"In our opinion, that's the best preservative there is," remarked Mr. +Holton, "although there are many others in use." + +It required the better part of two hours to complete the task. The sun +was just beginning to sink behind the distant mounds when they were +ready to continue the journey. + +"Be dark before long," predicted Fekmah. "Then we will have to stop +and wait for the moon. If you have not before traveled on desert under +moon, you have much to see." + +They plodded continually on, Bob and Joe occasionally taking motion +pictures. As the heat gradually became less intense, the youths felt a +thrill of exultation run through their veins. Now there was nothing to +worry about, no fierce sun to sweat under, no cares or anxieties to +occupy their minds. Life--life on the boundless Sahara--seemed great. + +"The folks back home are sure missing something," smiled Bob. "Though +I suppose a lot of them wouldn't care for doings of this kind." + +Slowly the darkness came. At last, when the little caravan was in a +notch between two unusually high dunes, Tishmak called a halt and +conversed with Fekmah. Then the latter turned to the Americans. + +"Tishmak says it is not thing to go on through darkness," he told +them. "Might come on to something bad. We'll wait here for moon to +come out, then go on." + +"Now's a good chance to get our suppers," said Dr. Kirshner, +commanding his dromedary to lower. + +By the aid of flashlights a limited but satisfying meal was prepared +on paper, and the adventurers all ate heartily. + +"Too bad there's nothing for the camels," said Mr. Lewis. + +"No need of worrying about them," returned Fekmah. "They can have no +food or drink for good many days. Soon we come to region of thin +vegetation. Then they eat." + +After the meal the explorers stretched out on the now cool sand, glad +of a chance to rest their tired limbs. The constant jolting of the +dromedaries had contributed much toward fatiguing them. + +"Now's the time when a coat comes in handy," said Bob, reaching into +his bag on the camel's back. + +"Wait till dawn, if you want to see real cold weather," came from Dr. +Kirshner. "Isn't that right, Fekmah?" + +The Arab nodded. + +"Temperature often gets down to thirty-five degrees," he said. + +Before long the moon came out in full splendor, flooding the vast +expanse with enchanting light and creating a scene beautiful beyond +description. The sand looked white all about, broken only by an +occasional ripple caused by the wind. The brilliant moon was +surrounded by a large white circle, which seemed to throw silver darts +on the dunes. In the distance were groups of luminous clouds, whose +ragged edges were transparent. It was a wonderful sight, and the +explorers sat for some time as though transfixed. + +"Never saw anything like it in my life!" exclaimed Mr. Holton, his +breath almost taken away by the magnificent spectacle. + +"Wonder if we're dreaming?" mused Joe, also fascinated. + +Fekmah and Tishmak had been out to witness such a spectacle before, +but seemed to think no less of it. + +"I guess here's a case where familiarity doesn't breed contempt," +laughed Mr. Lewis, his eyes on the Arabs. + +Bob got out the movie camera, intent upon taking several scenes that +would be "really different." + +"Moonlight always makes a good impression on a motion-picture +audience," remarked Joe. "And away out here on the Sahara--well, it'll +seem wonderful!" + +Tishmak made signs that they move on, and the others were glad to do +so. Since there was so much light, it would be easy to find their way. + +They were now in a region of high sand hills, with still no rocks +other than the small bright-colored pebbles that were scattered about. +Vegetation began to be more numerous in the form of _had_, _drinn_, +and other plants, which were occasionally eaten by the dromedaries. + +"I wonder if Fekmah is sure he's headed right?" said Bob, as he and +his friend again took their places at the end of the caravan. + +"He doesn't seem to be having any trouble yet," was the reply. "You +remember he made another map from memory after the first one was +stolen. Chances are he knows where he's going." + +"If he doesn't, we probably won't find the hidden riches," was Bob's +return. + +They trudged on, up and down the sand hills, until about ten o'clock. +Then Tishmak called a halt. + +"We camp here for night," announced Fekmah, after a short conference +with the guide. "It not wise to go any farther tonight. We get a +sleep; then start on in morning." + +"I was just thinking it's about time," laughed Dr. Kirshner. + +Tishmak had purposely picked out a deep gulch between the mounds as +the stopping place. This would be a fair precaution against the nomad +bandits who were reputed to be in this region. + +"Takes a guide to know what's best," remarked Bob, observing the high +walls of sand all about them. "The country in this vicinity is so +rough that a caravan wouldn't come anywhere near it, especially later +on, when it will be pitch dark." + +The explorers dismounted and got out the tent. The poles were put up, +and in a short time everything was in readiness for the night's sleep. + +"Curl up tightly in your blankets," advised Mr. Lewis, as he prepared +to occupy a corner of the tent. "It will be very cold along toward +dawn." + +"And will we sleep!" said Bob, throwing himself down in relaxation. + +Bob's prediction proved right. The boys enjoyed the deep slumber that +only an explorer can experience. It was wholly unexpected that they be +awakened at dawn by their elders. + +"It's a dirty trick!" grinned Joe, as his father urged him to fully +awaken. + +"I know," the naturalist said sympathetically. "But we must be on our +way before the sun gets so hot that traveling will be dangerous." + +But once up, it was easy to forget sleepiness and enjoy the +early-morning air. + +"Talk about cold!" cried Joe, shivering in spite of the fact that he +was wrapped in a heavy coat. "I'll bet the old mercury is down to +thirty degrees." + +"Not quite that bad," laughed Dr. Kirshner, holding up a thermometer. +"It's thirty-eight." + +"Even that is cold for the desert," said Bob. "I always had the +impression that it is hot all the time." + +"There are some places that way," returned Mr. Lewis. "But certainly +not the old Sahara." + +Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton got out the provisions and began preparing +the breakfast. + +"And while they're doing that, suppose we go up to the top of this +mound," suggested Bob to his chum. "It's rather high. Maybe we can get +a view of the country ahead of us." + +"Don't be gone long, boys," called Dr. Kirshner, as they made their +way to the edge of the hill. + +The sand under their feet was, in many places, loose and unstable, but +they found sufficient hard spots to make safe footholds. It was not a +little difficult to estimate where they could safely climb higher. +Perspiration was dripping from them when they at last reached the top +and turned their gaze toward the horizon. + +A cry of astonishment came from Joe at the scene that was spread out +before them. The dunes that stretched away in the distance were tinted +with many colors, showing strangely in the early-morning light. Some +were pink, others blue, still others green, while the ones farther +away paled away into nothingness. + +"That's a new one on me," remarked Bob, highly puzzled. "I never +expected anything like this." + +"Nor I. Wonder what causes it?" + +"Beyond me." + +They stood for some time gazing at the varicolored mounds. Then Joe +turned about. + +"Better get back to camp," he suggested. "Breakfast may be ready." + +They were about to retrace their footsteps when they heard a rustling +sound but a few feet away. + +"What's that?" muttered Bob, sensing that danger was at hand. + +The youths glanced around--and then shrank back in horror! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +The Hideous Reptile + + +"A horned viper!" exclaimed Bob fearfully, recognizing the long, +sinister body that was coiled almost at their feet. + +"And it's going to strike!" cried Joe. "Get your pistol--quick! We'll +both fire at it. Oh, how I wish we had our rifles!" + +The snake was preparing to lunge forward, its terrible head swaying +slowly from side to side. Whether or not the fangs contained poison, +the boys did not know, but they knew they could not take a chance. + +Neither Bob nor Joe was an outstanding shot with a revolver, and they +felt rather panic-stricken as they raised the weapons and took aim. + +After a few seconds that seemed to the youths like hours, Bob pulled +the trigger. + +A moment later the cold sweat burst out on his forehead, as he saw +that he had missed. Before he could take another aim, the reptile +would be upon him, a mass of scaly ferocity. + +Bang! + +Joe's pistol spoke out, and the bullet caught the snake in the neck, +just as it was about to strike. + +Another shot from Joe's automatic struck in a vital spot. The fiendish +head turned violently, then fell to the ground with a thud. The tail +twitched about momentarily, and as life passed out, the horrible body +lay still. + +It was some time before Bob and Joe could regain their natural peace +of mind, for the strain had been great. Their hearts were beating +rapidly from the unusual mental exertion. + +"A narrow escape!" breathed Joe, putting his gun back in its holster. + +"Thanks to you, old boy, we came out alive," praised Bob, giving his +friend an affectionate pat on the back. "It was your coolness and +determination that sent those bullets in the right place. I was too +nervous, I guess." + +"But say," began Joe, turning aside the commendation of his friend, +"our dads might want this fellow as a specimen. Do you suppose they +would? Those bullets didn't shatter it as a rifle cartridge would +have." + +The youths were not particularly anxious to handle the long, scaly +body, but they felt it their duty to do all they could for their +fathers. + +"What say we take it to the edge of the hill and roll it down?" +suggested Bob. "The way is gradual and there are no protruding crags +to tear it." + +"All right. We never can carry it without falling ourselves." + +The reptile was pushed over the side of the dune, and the boys made +their way down. They slid more than climbed, but reached the bottom +uninjured. + +Mr. Lewis came out to meet them, on his face a look of anxiety. + +"What kept you so long?" he asked. + +"That over there," replied Joe, pointing to the snake, which lay but a +few feet away. + +The naturalist ran over to it. Then he straightened up in surprise. + +"A horned viper," he pronounced. "Where'd you find it?" + +Bob related the narrow escape at the top of the dune, not forgetting +to point out Joe's part in killing the reptile. When he had finished, +Mr. Lewis shook his head gravely. + +"Never leave camp without your rifles," he warned them. "In a strange +land anything is likely to happen." + +During breakfast the youths' experience with the viper was the chief +topic for conversation. Tishmak looked at the boys with a new respect +as he heard the account of their daring deed. + +As soon as the morning meal was over, the tent and provisions were +packed back on the dromedaries, and the explorers continued their +journey. + +"How much ground did we probably cover yesterday?" asked Dr. Kirshner +of Fekmah, as they followed a narrow way between the rolling sand +dunes. + +"At least a hundred miles," the Arab answered. "Perhaps many more. +Dromedaries trot rather rapid." + +"Then, at that rate, it shouldn't take us so very long to reach the +Ahaggaras, should it?" asked Joe, who with Bob had not yet taken his +place at the end of the caravan. + +"No. But something could keep us back. Maybe storm, or could be +bandits. Never know about that." + +As the explorers moved on, they occasionally saw small animals and +birds. The naturalists were constantly on the lookout, shooting any +creature that came within range of their guns. Among the victims of +their marksmanship were desert larks, rats, hares, lizards, and a +small animal called the ferrec. + +Bob and Joe kept their time occupied in taking motion pictures of the +country they were passing through. By the time that their caravan had +stopped for the midday meal, the boys had "rolled off" a good many +hundred feet of film. + +"Here's hoping our moving pictures here prove to be as successful as +those that we took in Brazil," said Joe, as he took out a bag of +rations from a camel's pack. + +"If they do, the Neuman Film Corporation may give us a job on every +future expedition we might make with our dads," came from Bob. + +Thus far the day's traveling had not yet brought them to an oasis. +Tishmak informed them that water would probably not be found until +late the next night. The containers, however, held a large supply, +making it unnecessary for the explorers to worry. + +"It's a good thing the dromedaries don't need it often," said Mr. +Lewis, as he went about preparing the meal. + +"Four or five days is often enough for them," put in Mr. Holton. "They +can go much longer than that, but it isn't wise to risk it." + +It was about eleven o'clock, the time advisable to begin the usual +afternoon rest. Bob and Joe were glad of the chance to escape the heat +of the fierce sun. Even in the morning it was too hot for comfort, +although nothing compared to the baking atmosphere of the afternoon. +The youths were tanned so dark as to resemble Arabs. + +"Funny," smiled Joe. "Back in the United States we fellows wanted to +get burned by the sun. Here we try to keep out from under it." + +"All goes to prove that circumstances alter cases," laughed Dr. +Kirshner. + +The tent was again pitched, and the meal eaten. This time, however, +water was used sparingly. The adventurers did not wish to run the risk +of getting dangerously short. + +It was thought best to set a guard again while the others slept or +idly rested on the cool sand. Mr. Holton took the job, sitting in the +shade of the tent facing the resting dromedaries. + +"Chances are nothing will turn up, though," he said, and proved to be +right. + +Sharply at three o'clock Dr. Kirshner was up stretching himself and +suggesting that they continue the journey. + +"It isn't the thing to wait too long," he reminded his friends, "even +if we are drowsy. By night we want to have covered another hundred +miles or more. I'm especially anxious to reach the mountainous region +and see what I can find in the way of records of ancient peoples who +might have lived there before the desert became a desert," he added, +laughing. + +The others were more than willing to start on. When sleepiness or +drowsiness threatened to overpower them at the wrong time, the thought +of the two thieves who had stolen Fekmah's map spurred them on to +action. + +"I don't know that it is necessary to set a guard while we take our +afternoon rests," remarked Fekmah casually, as they packed the tent +back in its place for the journey. + +The Americans looked at him wonderingly. + +"The dromedaries will give us warning," he explained. "They are much +uneasy if stranger come near camp. They jump up and make noise." + +"A bit like watchdogs, are they?" said Mr. Holton. "Well, we'll give +them a tryout the next time." + +They again took up the journey, winding in and out among the rolling +sand hills. Occasionally they would come to a dune several hundred +feet high. They seemed to be gradually mounting higher, for the camels +did not move as rapidly as before. + +Vegetation increased still more, giving the dromedaries an opportunity +to nibble often on the various plants and shrubs. A few scattered +trees began to be seen, their sharp thorns protruding threateningly. + +"Camels don't bother with thorns," remarked Bob. "They know just where +to take a mouthful without cutting their mouths." + +"And they aren't particular about their diet, either," Joe added, +remembering what Fekmah had told him some time before. "Leather, +paper, wood--almost anything will satisfy their appetites." + +At last they came to the region of high sand dunes that were visible +the day before. Many of the hills towered five and six hundred feet, +and a few were much higher than that. The explorers were lucky in +finding a narrow lane that passed between the mounds. How long the +good fortune would continue, they did not know. + +"Getting to look more like the dunes in Indiana, back in the United +States," remarked Joe. "But of course these stretch a hundred times as +far." + +In some places the ground was hard and brittle, while in others it was +strewn with loose sand. + +At last the lane stopped, and the adventurers found themselves face to +face with a high hill. + +"Guess we'll have to climb it," said Mr. Holton, looking about. "There +is no other way out. The sand seems to be hard and safe enough. And it +could be a great deal steeper." + +"Let dromedaries go slowly," cautioned Fekmah. "Do not hurry them." + +They began the dangerous ascent, keeping their eyes glued to the +ground. Slowly the camels trudged up, feeling their steps carefully. + +They were almost to the top when suddenly the ground gave way from +under Joe's dromedary. The animal fell to its knees, struggled for a +moment, and fell backward. + +With a wild shout Joe plunged from the animal's back and went rolling +helplessly down the hill! + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +Falling Helplessly + + +Down the steep slope Joe went, powerless to catch himself. There were +no shrubs or stalks to grip, no hard soil to cling to. + +His mind was in a whirl. Where would he land? How far had he yet to +go? He comforted himself in the thought that there were no rocks or +tree trunks to dash against, but if the soil at the bottom of the hill +happened to be hard, his doom might be sealed. Already he could feel +the jar and pain of suddenly coming to an abrupt stop on unyielding +ground. + +Down, down he went, past the pack camels that were still slowly +climbing the steep side of the mound, lucky enough to have been missed +by the falling camel. + +Joe caught a momentary glimpse of his own dromedary, which was also +rolling rapidly down. + +Suddenly he felt a severe jar and gradually came to a stop in the soft +sand at the foot of the dune. + +A moment later he glanced up fearfully, as he saw his dromedary +coming down at him with lightning rapidity. + +He tried to rise and dash to one side, but his feet failed to respond +to his efforts. They had been numbed by the jar of striking the +ground. + +The falling camel was almost upon him now. Something must be done at +once! + +Summoning all his strength, he threw his body to the right of the +oncoming animal. It was an act of desperation, and he felt sure that +it would fail. But a moment later there was a rush, the sound of +swishing sand, and the animal whisked past, stirring up a dense cloud +of fine soil. + +Joe gave a sigh of relief and for a brief period sank back down on the +sand, as though waiting for his strength to be restored. Then he was +up, looking for the fallen camel. + +It had come to a stop in a drift of loose sand and appeared to be +uninjured. But it was snorting and kicking furiously, its anger +visibly heightened to a high degree. + +Joe ran over to it and attempted to give aid, but the furious +dromedary kicked at him in a rage. + +Mr. Lewis and Bob came running down, finding footholds with +difficulty. + +"Wait!" cautioned the naturalist. "Don't hurry the camel. Let him take +his time. His fit of anger will be over in a few minutes," and then +added: "That was some fall! We were afraid you'd be hurt seriously. +No bones broken, are there?" + +"I guess not," Joe replied. "Just shaken up a bit. I'm afraid the +dromedary is hurt more than I. Don't see what could prevent it." + +"You may be right," his father said solemnly. "We'll find out in a +minute." + +Before long the animal's anger lessened, and it tried to rise. But its +legs refused to move, despite the frantic efforts. + +Mr. Lewis's face took on an expression of anxiety. He bent down and +felt of the struggling legs. Then he straightened up and shook his +head hopelessly. + +"Broken," he muttered in a tense voice. "Two legs are broken." + +"What!" cried Mr. Holton, who, along with the others, had managed to +scramble down the hill. + +"Look for yourselves," Mr. Lewis said gravely. "The camel's weight was +too great to come continually against the rather fragile limbs, and +the hind ones snapped in two." + +The explorers' faces were greatly sobered by the dread discovery. Now +there was but one thing to do. The unfortunate beast must be left to +die a slow and torturing death. There was no other way out, for the +legs could not be set, and the beast could not be taken on. + +Mr. Holton unstrapped his rifle from his shoulder. + +"I'm going to put an end to it," he said with a sudden decision. "It +seems only humane, for otherwise death will come slowly and horribly." + +He walked over to a small elevation along the side of the dune, while +his friends moved away to a safe distance. + +After a moment of careful aim, he pulled the trigger. + +The high-velocity bullet sped true, penetrating the brain. + +There was but one spasmodic movement; then the camel rolled over, +dead. + +For some time the explorers were silent. It was not pleasant to see +the useful dromedary come to such an end. Finally Joe began the ascent +of the dune. + +"It'll seem strange without that camel," he said. "How will I manage +to have a mount?" + +"You'll have to take one of the pack animals," returned Dr. Kirshner. +"We'll divide the supplies among the others and get along some way. If +we do the right kind of scheming, I don't believe the other camels +will notice the extra load." + +It was difficult work climbing the treacherous slope of the dune. Many +times their feet would scarcely find a foothold when the sand would +give way, making it necessary for them to sprawl out or clutch one +another in order to prevent rolling down. + +At last they reached the top and began dividing the provisions among +nine of the ten pack dromedaries. It required over an hour to complete +the task, for it was difficult to find places for all their +belongings. + +"Now you may find it hard to get used to the strange camel," said Mr. +Holton, as Joe straddled the kneeling animal. "He may act up and +threaten to throw you, but stick to it. It won't take long to show him +you mean business." + +"He's been broken in some," remarked Fekmah. "Though it may been good +time since he had rider." + +Much to their surprise the dromedary responded to Joe's commands at +once, resigning himself over to his new master. + +"And am I glad!" the youth exclaimed, as the little caravan prepared +to resume the journey. + +"That's rather an exceptional piece of luck," smiled Mr. Holton. +"Usually it takes a good while for a camel to get used to its new +rider." + +The explorers continued the journey, although they realized that they +could cover but a few more miles before dark. Already the sun was +beginning to sink behind the distant hills, tinting the dunes many +colors. + +"Didn't get as far today as we did yesterday," observed Bob, as the +boys waited for Tishmak to find a suitable stopping place. + +The guide found the place he wanted between two large dunes, which +were spread out over a large amount of ground. + +"Tishmak say we wait here and get supper," said Fekmah, after a moment +of conversation in the native tongue. "Then when moon come out, we go +on and try to make up for lost time." + +"That suits me," agreed Dr. Kirshner. "Almost anything would satisfy +my appetite right now." + +The explorers dismounted and prepared the meal, which after the +strenuous hours of constant traveling tasted delicious. Then they sat +quietly in the semidarkness. + +At last the moon came out, and the desert was again seen to take on a +new appearance. The sand was even more beautiful than the night +before, white as it was from the soft light. + +Tishmak motioned for the adventurers to mount their dromedaries and +get under way. If they expected to get over much more territory, it +would be necessary to hurry. + +"Here's hoping we can come up to our hundred-mile minimum," said Joe, +urging his camel to trot faster. + +It was nearly ten o'clock when they finally stopped for the night's +slumber. Fekmah was well satisfied with the distance they had made +that day. + +"Tomorrow we will come to Tudemait Plateau," he said, after +conversing with Tishmak. "It is a rocky region, with large black +boulders." + +"Then we won't see any more sand dunes?" asked Bob. + +"No. The country will be rather level, but we will have to go many +kilometers out of way to avoid rocks." + +"That'll suit me," put in Joe. "I'm tired of seeing nothing but sand." + +That night they trusted to good fortune and did not set a guard. +Tishmak informed them that there was little danger of robbers in that +region, and the alertness of the camels would be an added precaution. + +"We are nearing the country of the Tuaregs," explained Fekmah. "These +natives are friendly, but drive away nomad robbers. We probably be +safe tonight." + +And they were. The next morning they had completely regained their +natural liveliness and pep, feeling thoroughly refreshed and ready for +anything the day might bring. + +Breakfast over, the long journey was resumed. + +As Tishmak had predicted, the country gradually began to change. The +sand dunes that had recently been high slowly became smaller and +lower, and vegetation increased still more. Small rocks were +everywhere, their color a dark gray or black. In the distance the +sharp crags of the Tudemait Plateau could be seen. + +As the explorers neared a low long mound, Tishmak's dromedary suddenly +halted and sniffed nervously. A moment later the animals of the other +explorers also came to a stop. + +"What's this!" exclaimed Mr. Lewis, looking about wonderingly. + +"Guess they heard something," said Dr. Kirshner. "What it was, we'll +see in a moment. They have an uncanny power of detecting noises that +we men can't catch." + +Tishmak unstrapped his rifle and motioned for the others to do +likewise. + +"Wonder if it's bandits," muttered Joe, holding his gun in readiness. + +The sound of camels' footsteps now reached the adventurers' ears. Then +from behind a hill appeared a long trading caravan of Arabs, who also +had their rifles in readiness. + +Tishmak rushed forward, throwing his hands apart in a gesture of +friendliness. He was followed by Fekmah and the others. + +As soon as the Arabs saw that the whites meant no harm, they stopped +and talked freely. Much to Dr. Kirshner's delight, he could understand +the men easily, their language differing greatly from that of Tishmak. + +The Americans learned that the caravan was on its way to Wargla, +loaded with a large supply of dried dates, grapes, and many other +products of the desert oases. It was made up of over seven hundred +camels, which were in a line several miles long. + +"Look at the leader," said Joe to his chum, referring to the head +camel. "It's decorated with about as many colors as there are." + +"Want to make a good showing," smiled Bob. "From what I've heard, a +caravan is judged by how well the first camel is engulfed by colors." + +Much as the explorers would have liked to talk with the Arabs, they +did not stop long. Time was too valuable to be wasted, especially when +they were literally running a race with the two thieves who had stolen +Fekmah's map. + +But before they left, Bob and Joe took motion pictures of the caravan +at several distances. Especially were the youths pleased by the +friendly attitude of the Arabs when the camera was held before them. + +"Doubt if they know what it's all about," smiled Bob. "But that +doesn't keep the pictures from being good." + +"Wouldn't they be surprised if they could see themselves on the +screen!" laughed Joe. "They'd probably think something supernatural +was taking place." + +With a cheery farewell the American expedition left the Arabs at the +head of the trading caravan and again took up the journey. But it +required nearly a half-hour to pass the last of the pack camels, which +were guarded at intervals of every fifty animals by an armed Arab. + +"Seven hundred camels is a good many," remarked Bob, as the youths +rode at the rear of their own pack animals. "Their owner must have a +good bit of money." + +"Many of those Arabs are wealthy, I guess," said Joe. "Fekmah said +some have as many as two thousand camels." + +As the explorers moved on, they saw other signs of small game. +Occasionally Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis displayed their skill with a +rifle by shooting creatures from a great distance. + +"Seems to be getting a little darker," remarked Joe, as they descended +into a little valley. + +"Darker? Couldn't be." + +Then, as Bob gazed ahead at the opposite slope, he uttered an +exclamation of bewilderment. + +"It _is_ getting darker!" he cried. "Why--why, it's impossible. Dark +at nine in the morning! Something's wrong somewhere!" + +A second later Mr. Holton rode up to the boys anxiously. + +"Get out your goggles!" he directed them. "We seem to be riding into a +fog of black dust. Tishmak thinks we may have to stop for the day." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +As Guests of Heathens + + +"What!" cried Bob excitedly. "Stop for the day! We--we can't. Our time +is worth too much!" + +The naturalist laughed unwillingly. + +"This time it's a question of what we have to do," he said dryly. "If +the blackness increases, it will be suicide to plunge through it with +so many rocks and walls of stone near." + +The boys and Mr. Holton rode on up to the front of the caravan, where +Tishmak and Fekmah were visibly moved with fear. + +The darkness was becoming more intense with every minute. Soon the +explorers could not see one another. + +"It might be well to get off our dromedaries," suggested Mr. Lewis. +"If this is to continue long, it won't pay to remain mounted." + +"This is likely to mean a loss of several hours," said Fekmah gravely. +"Then again, the fog of dust might pass away in but few minutes." + +"Worst thing about it is the difficulty to breathe," pointed out Dr. +Kirshner. "Tragedy has been known to come upon caravans in this +manner." + +It was indeed stifling, but the adventurers managed to get air through +the dust. They feared every minute that time would bring about an +impossibility to breathe. + +Much to their relief, that dread moment did not come, and after a +half-hour the blackness gradually thinned out until it again became +light. + +"Thank goodness!" breathed Mr. Lewis. "Now let's get on our way +again." + +Still more the country was changing. The rocks became more jagged, +taking on many shapes and forms. Small trees and plants became more +abundant, causing the region to resemble certain areas of the American +desert. And along with this plant life came numerous traces of wild +animals. + +"Wish we would run across a fox," said Joe. "I'm anxious to shoot +anything." + +"Probably will," returned Bob. "I guess there are not only foxes but +jackals and other small game. There should be much more here than in +the sandy section." + +The party stopped at eleven o'clock for the meal and midday rest. This +time the dromedaries alone were to be the guards, for they had already +proved their efficiency in detecting unusual noises. + +At two they were again on their way, climbing a gentle slope +widespread with sharp rocks. + +"Seems strange to get away from the sand dunes," remarked Bob. "It +hardly is like a desert now." + +As they passed up a rocky hill, Fekmah called a halt. + +"We have come to the Tudemait Plateau," he announced, getting out the +map that he had made from memory. "That sharp peak in the distance is +one of the landmarks. Now we pass through this plateau for rest of +today and part of tomorrow; then come to another sandy stretch." + +"Then what?" inquired Mr. Holton. + +"Get to Ahaggar Mountains," the Arab replied. "We have to follow +compass more close from now on, because must see peak called Illiman. +Then we know we near treasure." + +"And here's hoping those two thieves haven't gotten there first and +taken everything away," said Joe. + +That afternoon they came to a small well and refilled their +containers, which were beginning to get low. Despite the fact that the +water was exceedingly warm, it was greatly welcomed by the explorers. + +A high hill was before them, and Bob suggested that they climb to the +top afoot and make out the character of the land ahead of them. + +The others were in favor of doing so, for Fekmah might catch sight of +something that would be recognized as a landmark on the map. + +The climb was tiresome but easy, the many boulders offering footholds. +Finally they reached the top and turned their gaze toward the horizon. + +"What's that 'way over there?" asked Joe, pointing to a narrow valley +walled closely by high rocks. + +Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton had their binoculars strapped over their +shoulders. They took them out and peered into the distance. + +Suddenly Mr. Holton started. + +"It's a village!" he exclaimed, and Mr. Lewis nodded. "A village of +Arabs. Look at the low huts of sun-baked mud," handing the binoculars +to Fekmah. + +"Yes," said Fekmah, gazing out through the glasses. "Suppose we go +over there and see them. They treat us all right. It not take much of +our time." + +"All right," returned Dr. Kirshner. "I'm anxious to make a casual +study of them. They might have some primitive implements that belonged +to their remote ancestors." + +The adventurers made their way down the hill and mounted their camels. +Then they rode off toward the distant valley. It was a good distance +away, and perhaps hard of access, but the explorers were determined to +find it. + +In less time than they had expected, they came to a spot that would +probably afford an opening into the valley. For a few minutes they +wound in and out among the rocks. Then they came within sight of the +village. + +A crowd of Arabs ran out to meet them, uttering hearty greetings. It +was evident that expeditions rarely passed within sight of their +dwellings, for they were very excited. + +Tishmak and Fekmah conversed with the people in a very friendly manner +and then introduced the others of the American expedition. + +Dr. Kirshner and the naturalists found it almost impossible to +understand the language, and they were satisfied with Fekmah's +translations. + +"A good chance to take some movies," said Bob, getting out the camera. + +"Don't suppose the Arabs would object," added Joe. "At any rate, we'll +risk it." + +The youths cranked off several scenes of the Arabs and their village. +It was clear to the explorers that the people had never seen a +motion-picture camera before. The strange purring box was an object of +curiosity, and they crowded around like so many children. + +To the Americans, these people were of great interest. The men and +women dressed almost alike, in a long, white robe that reached to the +ankles. A tight-fitting cloth was wound around the head, and the back +of the neck was protected from the sun by a black veil. They were of a +naturally swarthy complexion, which was still further darkened by the +fierce desert heat. + +"Not very pleasant to look at," said Bob to his chum. "But they sure +are giving us a hearty welcome." + +"That's probably because they're so unused to seeing strangers," Joe +remarked. "Nearly all friendly natives are that way." + +The Arabs led the explorers into the main part of the village, where +there was a large open space before the chief's, or sheik's, hut. +Suddenly the head native stopped and pointed to a distant large rock. +He babbled animatedly to Tishmak and Fekmah, whose faces took on a +look of disgust. + +"Sheik say over there is a place where they bury those guilty of +witchcraft," Fekmah explained to the Americans. "They put to a +terrible death, and then their bones taken over there." + +Mr. Holton shook his head repulsively. + +"Ignorance is the root of evil," he said. "These people are even worse +off than the Negroes of the Congo. They so infrequently come into +contact with civilization that they have degenerated into a state of +almost nothingness." + +"With even more respect for Fekmah and Tishmak, the Arabs in many +remote sections of the Sahara are a bloodthirsty, treacherous, and +immoral people," put in Dr. Kirshner. "They do not at all compare +with their brothers in Algiers and other places nearer the coast." + +Fekmah nodded. + +"Praise be to Allah that I was not born here," he muttered. + +The sheik invited the explorers to stay for dinner, but Fekmah +politely refused, saying that they must hurry on. + +"We have many miles to go yet," he told them in the native tongue. "If +we are to get far today we must be going now." + +The explorers left the village for their camels, the Arabs shouting +warm farewells. + +"Professor Bigelow ought to be here," smiled Joe, referring to a +famous anthropologist who had accompanied them on their expedition in +Brazil. + +"Wouldn't he be tickled," laughed Mr. Lewis. "But then--maybe he's +already been here. He has been about everywhere else studying +primitive people." + +Soon the adventurers were out of the narrow valley, again taking up +the journey. They were glad to get started again, welcoming any new +sight in the way of oddly shaped rocks, deep valleys, and other +formations of nature. + +Darkness was rapidly falling, but they kept traveling until it became +impossible to see ahead. Then Tishmak held up his hand for them to +stop. + +Again they waited for the moon, not continuing the trip until it came +out. + +"Tonight we must make up for the lost time at village," said Fekmah. +"We can stand to stay up an hour later." + +It was not until eleven o'clock that they finally came to a stop in a +wild, rocky region. The tents were put up for the night. + +The next morning the explorers were barely up when Joe happened to +notice something crawling toward him as he sat near the tent. + +He was up in a moment, looking about fearfully. + +"A scorpion!" he cried excitedly. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +Steady Aim + + +The creature that was slowly moving toward Joe was as large as his +hand, with long, powerful legs that were doubled ready to spring. And +Joe well knew what that spring would mean. + +The youth viewed the hideous scorpion with a terrible awe, fearing to +move lest it become angered and charge. What was he to do? He knew he +could not get up in time, for his terrible enemy would be upon him. +Yet if he should remain sitting, he would surely feel the hairy mass +upon him in a very few seconds. + +Slowly Joe reached into his holster for his pistol. He was a poor shot +with such a weapon, but the chance had to be taken. Still there was a +possibility that he might kill the huge spider by throwing the gun at +it. + +With a sudden movement the youth drew out the automatic and carefully +but hurriedly threw it with all his strength. + +Then his heart sank as he saw the gun whiz past the scorpion and roll +across the hard ground. The sudden movement angered the creature +still more, and it crouched as if to charge. + +Suddenly, as a last resort, Joe sprang to his feet and dodged to one +side, just as the scorpion left the ground. As the result the charge +was unsuccessful, the huge spider alighting several feet to the +youth's left. + +The next moment Joe was in the tent, looking about nervously. He +picked up his rifle and dashed back outside. + +The scorpion was slowly crawling toward the entrance to the tent when +Joe took careful aim and fired. + +His aim was true. The small bullet caught the creature squarely, +shattering it into pulp, which flew in several directions. + +After watching the remains of the scorpion for a moment, Joe turned +about, to find Dr. Kirshner and Bob standing beside him with small +rifles. + +"That was a wonderful shot, Joe," praised the archæologist. "Bob and I +happened to have our rifles and would have taken a shot at the +scorpion if you had missed." + +"So you saw, did you? Well, I don't mind saying that I was frightened +stiff for a few minutes. Thought sure I was a goner." + +He was forced to tell of the entire experience, and in the end his +listeners looked grave. + +"A very narrow escape," said Dr. Kirshner, who, along with the +naturalists and Fekmah, had listened breathlessly. + +"Scorpions are terrible adversaries," said Mr. Holton soberly. "The +fluid they inject is extremely poisonous! From now on we'll have to +watch more closely." + +After breakfast the explorers continued on the dromedaries. They were +to reach another stretch of sand dunes late that afternoon, Tishmak +told them. + +"Sand hills will seem good after these endless miles in the Tudemait +Plateau," remarked Joe. "But there won't be any shade, and there is a +little here from the rocks." + +"Wait till we get to the Ahaggars, if you want shade," smiled Mr. +Lewis. "Some of that region resembles the mountainous part of Arizona. +There are deep ravines, narrow valleys, high peaks, unknown caves, and +many other remarkable phenomena of nature." + +"That is where our journey comes to an end, isn't it?" asked Bob. + +"Yes. In the southern part of the Ahaggar range. Thus far, Fekmah +hasn't had much need of the map, because he has directed us more by +compass. But when we see the mountains, it will be necessary for him +to consult it frequently. Whether or not it will prove accurate, made +from memory as it was, we have yet to see." + +The way now led through a dry river valley, which wound through the +many black rocks. Some of the rugged hills near by towered to two and +three thousand feet, their perpendicular sides gray or deep black. + +There was sparse vegetation, but a few gum trees were scattered about +over the hard soil. + +Tishmak had informed them that they would come to a well some time +that afternoon. The water, he said, would be very cool, for it came +from far underground. + +"I'd like to see that Land of Thirst you were talking about," remarked +Joe to Fekmah, as the Arab mentioned the well of cool water that lay +ahead of them. "It must be an interesting region." + +Fekmah shook his head. + +"Caravans avoid it much as can," he said grimly. "Too much danger of +falling dead. Then, too, it is supposed to be inhabited by evil +spirits." + +"Evil spirits?" + +"Yes. Superstitious natives near there never see parts of it. I much +glad we not have to go through it, because we sure to get very much +thirsty." + +Shortly after the explorers had passed around a large hill they heard +camel steps from behind a sharp corner in the river bed. + +"Quick!" directed Dr. Kirshner. "Let's hide in back of these rocks. It +may be more bandits." + +The adventurers drove their dromedaries out of sight and then +followed, looking about cautiously. + +The sound of footsteps grew louder, and soon a small caravan of +natives came into view, looking very strange indeed with their faces +tightly covered with black veils. + +"Tuaregs!" exclaimed Dr. Kirshner, who had made a study of the peoples +in the Sahara. "Tuaregs at last!" + +He rode out from behind the place of hiding and shouted a friendly +greeting in their own language. The people at once called back and +moved on up to the archæologist. + +"Guess we might as well go out," smiled Mr. Holton, urging his camel +to move forward. + +Soon the others joined Dr. Kirshner, who seemed to be having no +trouble in understanding the people. + +"They live in the Ahaggars," explained the archæologist, after a few +minutes of conversing with them. "They're on their way north to In +Salah. That's a town of considerable importance." + +The natives did not stop long, and the American expedition was also +anxious to be going. + +"I didn't know Tuaregs were found this far north," said Mr. Lewis, as +the people disappeared from view. "Their home is in the lower +Ahaggars, and they seldom ever, if what I've heard is true, wander far +away." + +The explorers stopped before noon for the meal and rest. Then, at two +o'clock, they continued on their way, anxious to leave the plateau +behind. + +Suddenly, as they gradually ascended a long grade, an agile form +darted out to one side of Bob's dromedary, its red coat showing +brightly in the sunlight. + +"A fox!" Bob exclaimed and raised his rifle to his shoulder. + +Glancing along the sights, he pulled the trigger. There was a howl of +pain as the bullet struck the animal broadside. Another howl; then +silence. + +"You got him!" cried Joe, delighted. + +"A big specimen, too," declared Mr. Lewis, getting out his knife. + +The animal was carefully but rapidly skinned and the hide placed in +the solution of preservative. + +"Already we have a large number of specimens," said Mr. Holton, as +they left the skinned body behind. "And we hope to see a good many +other animals and birds as we pass on." + +Late that afternoon the adventurers came to the well that Tishmak had +told about, and found the water very cool. It reached the surface in a +shady spot among the many high rocks. + +All drank with a thirst that came from long traveling in a dry, hot +region. Bob and Joe especially welcomed it, the latter declaring it +better than flavored beverages. + +"That's right," agreed Mr. Holton. "One can drink many things, but +water is, after all, the old stand-by." + +When the containers were filled, the explorers rested in the shade of +the rocks. There was something about that spot that made them hesitate +to leave it behind. Perhaps it was the cool water, or it might have +been the wall-like formations of stone all about. + +Finally Tishmak got up and mounted his dromedary, motioning for the +others to follow suit. + +All the remainder of that afternoon they trudged on over the Tudemait +Plateau. Slightly to their surprise, they had not yet reached the +region of sand that lay at the south of the plateau. Fekmah especially +was very restless, saying that he could not understand why the rocky +region had not been left behind shortly after the midday rest. + +"It supposed to be only about a hundred and seventy kilometers [about +one hundred miles] across, and we have traveled at least that far," he +said, very much perplexed. + +"Perhaps we have followed the arc of a circle," suggested Mr. Lewis. +"Suppose you ask Tishmak." + +The guide was also in the dark, not being able to give an explanation. + +"Well," said Bob, "it might be well to keep going awhile longer. We'll +surely come to the sandy region before long." + +The others thought this good advice, but late that evening they were +still on the plateau. + +They retired that night with high hopes that the morning would bring +good fortune. During the last few hours they had had an uneasy feeling +that their efforts to find the region of sand were in vain. + +The next day they were off early, after a hurried breakfast. + +"We'll get out of these rocks some time this morning," predicted Mr. +Lewis with a smile. + +And he was right. Gradually the boulders they passed grew smaller and +the soil more loose. By the time they had stopped for the noon meal +they were again among sand dunes. + +The heat was now terrific. If it had been warm before, it was +scorching now. Everywhere they went they were under the blaze of the +fierce sun. How the camels managed to keep from burning their feet was +a mystery to the youths. + +Their throats were parched, their tongues numb. Water, water! If they +could only drink and drink and drink! But only small amounts were +allowed to be taken, for this region was many, many miles across, and +there was no well or oasis anywhere near their path of traveling. + +"If we have much more of this I'm afraid I'll fall off my camel," said +Bob with a grim smile. + +"Not quite that bad off, are you?" laughed Dr. Kirshner. "Dying of +thirst is a rare occurrence in this part of the Sahara. But it does +happen sometimes, and it is a tragic death indeed." + +"Worst thing is," explained Mr. Holton, "there is a time when the +victim of thirst would die should he touch water. In that case, water +is virtually a poison." + +The sand hills that they were passing over were much lower than those +in the country below Wargla. The desert stretched away to the horizon +in endless waves, which, as far as the travelers could see, were +unbroken. + +Vegetation was scarce, only a scattering of yellow plants dotting the +dunes. This promised to be a disadvantage to the dromedaries, for +previously they had occasionally nibbled on the trees and shrubs that +were clustered about. + +"Look at the sky," said Joe, turning his gaze upward. + +"Funny color, isn't it?" Bob returned. Then, as he peered into the +distance, he uttered an exclamation of surprise and fear. + +But the others had seen also and were equally as excited. + +Away to their right a heavy mist had risen and was rapidly turning +reddish. + +"A sandstorm!" cried Fekmah in great anxiety. "A sandstorm is +coming!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +Moments of Horror + + +The explorers, particularly Tishmak, knew the danger of a sandstorm. +It was not infrequent for large caravans to be completely engulfed by +the heavy veil of sand, leaving only the dead bodies of the camels and +their riders. The Americans remembered a tale that Fekmah had told +them about a trading caravan of five hundred dromedaries coming to a +tragic end in this region. Would their little caravan also perish? + +"Get your goggles," commanded Fekmah, his tone indicating that he was +calm even in the face of danger. + +"And be sure they fit tightly!" warned Dr. Kirshner. "Even then we'll +get some of the sand." + +The atmosphere was rapidly becoming extremely dry and hot, and at +intervals a fierce wind brought minute particles of sand into the +explorers' faces. + +"Now," began Fekmah, after conversing briefly with the guide, "we must +get dromedaries in group, so they not get fright and run away. Then +we crouch down behind them." + +The camels were drawn up together and fastened in a circle with ropes. + +"It might be wise to put up our tent, mightn't it?" asked Mr. Lewis, +but Fekmah shook his head vigorously. + +"No, no," he said. "Then we get in trap and not get out. If sand very +heavy, we want to be in open." + +The dense mist was thickening and spreading, until it soon covered the +whole horizon. The sky in the distance was not visible for the heavy +cloud of fine particles. + +The explorers got out blankets and wrapped themselves tightly. Even +then, said Fekmah, the small bits of soil would get through to their +skins. + +They had scarcely finished preparations when the first breaker +suddenly came with all force, striking the adventurers in the face and +penetrating the blanket. + +It was blinding, smothering, but they managed to get air and fought +with a determination that was born of adventure. Crouching behind the +sturdy dromedaries, they held their heads low to avoid as much of the +fury of the storm as possible. + +It was with great difficulty that the camels kept their positions +together, but they succeeded admirably. + +"Doesn't seem right for them to have to stop the sand for us," said +Joe, shouting in order to make himself heard. + +"It's a shame," Bob shouted back. "But they can probably stand it +better than we can." + +Slowly they found themselves enveloped in a heavy opaque atmosphere, +so dense as to seem almost as a wall. The thought of being completely +covered up was constantly in their minds, bringing about almost a +feeling of despair. + +The burning wind was constantly lashing them in the face, until it +seemed that they could stand it no longer. Indeed, if their heavy +goggles had not been of unbreakable glass, the furious particles of +sand would have smashed them in the explorers' eyes. Even as it was, +some of the sand found its way in. + +"This is terrible!" moaned Joe. "Awful--simply----" + +He stopped suddenly, as his mouth became filled with sand. Another +gust of wind had come, bringing with it an enormous quantity of the +burning sand. + +The explorers' eyes were smarting, their lips were cracked and +bleeding. They felt that they would smother. Nothing could have been +worse, it seemed. + +They could hear the dromedaries snorting with fear and irritation. +What if the brutes could not stand? + +Conversation was now impossible, for they dared not open their mouths +for fear of swallowing some of the stinging sand. Even when they +breathed, the fine particles filtered through the net that hung over +their faces. + +The sky above was of a bright red color, and a weird light trickled +through the fog of yellow. It was the most unusual happening that the +Americans had ever witnessed. + +"If it just wasn't for this terrible wind!" muttered Mr. Holton, when +there had come a slight lull. + +"Yes," agreed Fekmah. "Then it not be so hard to stand it." + +He had scarcely finished when another gust of hot sand struck them +cruelly, making their faces sting anew. + +Suddenly Tishmak noticed that they were nearly engulfed in a heavy +pile of sand. With a quick motion he drew himself out and drove the +dromedaries to another spot. + +For a brief moment the explorers were exposed to the full violence of +the storm. Then they again took places behind the newly located +camels. + +"Not taking any chances on being covered up, are you?" said Dr. +Kirshner to Tishmak. + +The latter did not understand the words, but he caught the meaning and +smiled. + +How long the terrific onslaught of sand lasted, no one knew. They had +lost all sense of time, and the heavy atmosphere completely hid the +sun. + +It was only gradually that the terrible storm subsided, and then the +air was exceedingly hot and dry, promising to remain that way for some +time. Slowly the cloud of sand about them grew thin, until it finally +cleared away completely. Now only an occasional hot wind annoyed them, +but it was scarcely anything compared to the previous bombardment of +sand. + +"No more of anything like that for me!" muttered Bob, as he worked his +feet loose from the high pile that strove to bury him alive. + +The dromedaries, too, had their legs embedded in the sand so deeply +that it required several minutes of constant digging to relieve them. + +"Suppose we rest awhile before going on," suggested Bob. "It has been +a great strain for all of us, standing against that terrible rush of +sand." + +The others readily agreed, and all thoughts of continuing the journey +at once were dismissed from mind. + +"At least," Joe said, "we got out alive, and that's more than you can +say of many caravans." + +"Yes," returned his father. "Perhaps under this very spot are the +bones of men and camels that were not as lucky as we were." + +"That storm rather short lasting," remarked Fekmah, glancing at his +watch. "Many times storm last several hours." + +Joe sighed. + +"I'd hate to have had to stand much more of it," he said. + +It was nearly noon, and the tent was pitched for the midday rest. All +were very weary after the terrific strain. + +"Let's have our lunch," suggested Mr. Lewis. "I'm very hungry, and I'm +sure everyone else is." + +The noon meal and rest followed, the explorers not continuing until +after three o'clock. + +Late that afternoon they came to one of the largest uninhabited oases +that they had yet seen. It was situated snugly on a narrow stretch +between high dunes. + +"It's a wonder a small town hasn't sprung up around here," remarked +Bob, drinking greedily of the refreshing water that gushed from the +large spring. + +Dr. Kirshner nodded. + +"With all these palm trees and the abundance of water it is +surprising," he said. "But I suppose there are so few people, even +among the natives, who would live here that it wouldn't pay." + +The containers were hurriedly filled. + +"It might be well to stay here for the night," said Fekmah. "It is +getting late, and we all need sleep very bad." + +He turned to Tishmak and put the question before him in the native +language. + +The guide at once gave his approval, more than glad of the chance to +stop. + +"He say he wanted to stay here for night, but thought we in big +hurry," Fekmah told the Americans. + +"We are," returned Mr. Holton. "But here is a very good place to camp, +and I think we'd better take advantage of the opportunity." + +The tent and provisions were unpacked from the camels, which seemed +more than glad of the chance to relax. + +"Funny," remarked Mr. Lewis, "that camels don't care to lie in the +shade when there is an opportunity. You would think the terrible sun +would be avoided as much as possible, but that is not the case." + +"Either they like the heat or they are too lazy to move," said Joe. + +For some time the two youths sat with their elders. Then Bob got up +and stretched. + +"Suppose you and I get on our dromedaries and ride over to that +distant hill," he said to Joe, pointing away to the horizon. "I'd like +to see what's beyond there. This seems to be very high ground, and we +might get a view of the distant mountains from the top of that dune." + +"Be sure and take your rifles, boys," warned Mr. Lewis. "And don't +stay too long." + +The boys slung their guns over their shoulders and rode off, waving to +their friends. + +The hill that Bob referred to was at least a mile away, and the ground +on the way was of loose sand. The boys urged their mounts to trot +faster, however, and they would probably cover the distance in a very +short time. + +"I wonder if we could get a glimpse of the Ahaggar Mountains?" said +Joe. + +"Might. But you must remember that we are still a great distance +away." + +As the boys had expected, they came to the hill in but a few minutes. +It was very high and steep, but the soil was hard. The dromedaries had +no difficulty in climbing steadily up. + +At last they came to the top and gazed out into the distance. + +"Look!" cried Joe. "The mountains! We can see them!" + +Sure enough, the Ahaggar range was visible, stretching miles and miles +to either side. A few sharp peaks protruded high above the others, but +for the most part the line of mountains was rather regular. + +"Suppose that high peak is Illiman?" asked Joe, pointing to a high +crag that towered above the other mountains. + +"You mean the one Fekmah was talking about? It might be. He would know +if he saw it, I suppose. And of course Tishmak would." + +The youths spent nearly a half-hour peering out at the mountains, +greatly impressed by the wonderful view. + +"How far away do you suppose they are?" questioned Joe. + +"Fifty miles, at least; maybe more. It will probably take us another +half-day to get to them." + +Finally the youths turned and rode back down the hill to tell their +elders of the magnificent view. Fekmah particularly would be pleased, +Joe thought. + +But the boys were not overly anxious to get back to the oasis at once. +There were many other high sand dunes that they would like to ride +over. + +"We won't stay much longer," said Bob. "Just ride around a bit." + +To their right was another high hill that might afford a view in +another direction. The youths rode over to it and climbed the gradual +side. + +Then, when they came to the top, they cried out in surprise and fear. + +In the distance appeared to be a whole regiment of galloping horsemen +coming toward them! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +Savage Tribesmen + + +For a moment the youths were taken completely aback in surprise. That +they would see anything like this away out on the Sahara was not in +the least expected. They stood for some time in sheer amazement and +not a little fear. + +"An army coming at us!" muttered Bob, staring at the distant +spectacle. + +"An army, yes. Must be five hundred cavalrymen." + +"But--but it can't be! It's impossible. What would soldiers be doing +away out here on the desert? Something's seriously wrong somewhere. If +just one of us should see such a thing it might indicate that the old +brain wasn't working just right, but for you and I both----" + +"Come on," suggested Joe, giving his dromedary a slight kick. "Let's +get out of here. I'm greatly worried." + +The youths turned their camels back to camp for a short distance; then +they urged them on to a fast trot. + +They were not a little relieved when they finally reached the oasis, +where they found their friends awaiting them. + +"Where have you been so long?" inquired Mr. Lewis, his face not a +little serious. + +"We thought maybe something held you back," added Dr. Kirshner. + +"It did," replied Bob, trying to remain calm. + +The men sat up quickly, sensing that some misfortune had come upon the +boys. + +"What was it?" demanded Mr. Holton tensely. + +"An army," Joe returned soberly. + +For a second there was silence. Then the men broke out in laughter. +Evidently they thought the youths were joking. Even Fekmah joined in, +his dark features drawn together in mirth. + +"Nothing to laugh at," said Joe, vexed because the men thought their +experience funny. "It nearly scared Bob and me out of our wits." + +Mr. Holton grew more serious. + +"Come, now," he said. "Tell us what you mean." + +Joe told of seeing the phenomenon from the top of the hill, saying +that there appeared to be at least five hundred horsemen coming toward +them. + +When he had finished, the naturalists and Dr. Kirshner jumped up in +wonder and not a little fear, but Fekmah only laughed. + +"W-what's humorous!" demanded Mr. Lewis, greatly perplexed. + +"Everything," said Fekmah, laughing still harder. "What the young men +saw was only an illusion or mirage. There no army on Sahara. Only look +like army." + +"You mean it was a trick of nature, like the more common mirages of +lakes on the desert?" asked Dr. Kirshner with great interest. + +"Yes," the Arab answered. "Caused by the bending of the rays of light +when they strike the hot sand." + +"Well, that's a new one on me!" confessed Bob. "I was aware of the +fact that mirages of lakes are common, but that I should see an +army----" + +It was now rapidly becoming dark. The explorers thought it best to +sleep all through the night and not wait for the moon, for they +greatly needed the rest. + +"Tomorrow morning I'd like to see that mirage that you boys thought +was an army," said Mr. Holton, when they prepared to retire. + +"And I, too," put in Dr. Kirshner. "As it isn't out of our way, we can +all ride over there." + +"It'll be a good chance to take some motion pictures," said Bob. "A +scene as unusual as that is sure to attract the curiosity of an +audience." + +Tishmak informed them that they would be out of this short sand +stretch early the next morning. Then they would come into the Ahaggar +Mountains, the real home of the mysterious Tuaregs. + +"And I expect to begin my work in this region," announced Dr. +Kirshner. "Perhaps if I put legend and history together, I can locate +something that will prove of great value to the world of archæology. I +have in mind at present the tomb of a great king who reigned in those +mountains many thousands of years ago. He is said to be an ancestor of +the Berbers, who are related to the Tuaregs. When we come to the many +Tuareg villages, I intend to make inquiries as to their ancient +legends." + +They were up early the next morning, anticipating the exploration of +the mountains that lay ahead of them. + +But in order to get to the Ahaggars, it would be necessary to continue +for a short distance over the sand dunes. + +After breakfast they rode over to the distant hill to get a view of +the mirage seen by the boys the day before. Sure enough, the army of +horsemen appeared to be riding toward them, and the details were +rather plain. + +Mr. Lewis shook his head in bewilderment. + +"Sure is strange," he muttered. "Why should the horses and the riders +be so clearly defined? I can easily understand the mirage of a lake, +but this sure gets my goat." + +They stood for some time staring at the distant spectacle, Bob and Joe +taking motion pictures. Finally they rode on up the hill to catch a +glimpse of the Ahaggars. + +"I rather think that peak not Illiman but Oudane," said Fekmah to the +youths, in answer to their question asking the name of the distant +high mountain. "Mount Oudane very high, and much nearer than Mount +Illiman." + +More movies were taken by the youths. Then they rode down the opposite +side of the dune in the direction of the mountains. + +"Ahaggars very strange," said Fekmah to the Americans, as they rode in +a group at the back of their pack camels. "There are high cliffs, tall +needle-like peaks, deep caves. There are canyons, ravines, underground +passageways. We see much, and we too be in great danger." + +"Danger?" Joe looked up in some surprise. + +"Yes. Very great danger. Wild Tuaregs roam about, and when on a raid, +think only of robbing travelers. Then, too, we be in region where the +two thieves who stole my map are. They perhaps be waiting for us and +shoot us quick without giving warning. Many other dangers we might +see." + +Fekmah sobered the Americans a little. They had not anticipated any +great peril, although they knew the two thieves might, should they +have arrived at the hidden riches first, give them trouble. + +"But we'll come out all right," predicted Bob, again becoming +cheerful. "We'll show those fellows that we're capable of attending +to any crisis." + +A little farther on they reached the wall of rock that had previously +shut out the view of the mountains. It stretched many miles to their +right and left, but there were numerous breaks that afforded openings +into the country beyond. + +They had barely reached the other side of the wall-like formation when +Joe caught sight of a group of tents quite a distance to the east. He +motioned for his friends to look in that direction. + +"Probably Arabs," pronounced Fekmah, after Tishmak had chattered +rapidly for a moment. "They nomads, who wander about the desert taking +their flock of goats with them." + +"Suppose we go over and see them," suggested Mr. Holton. "Perhaps they +can give us a description of the country ahead of us. There may be +many more wells than we think, and it will do us no harm to know of +them." + +The others were in favor of carrying out Mr. Holton's move. But Fekmah +warned them to be on the lookout for treachery. + +"They probably not do us harm, but can never tell," he said, as the +dromedaries were turned in the direction of the tents. + +They reached the encampment in a very short time and were about to +look up some of the Arabs when a savage growl made them wheel around +in surprise and fear. + +"Look!" cried Joe, laying his hand on his rifle. + +Two large, savage dogs were making toward them with all fury, showing +their terrible teeth in anger. The enraged creatures were probably +owned by the Arabs in the tents and were acting as guards against all +marauders. + +The foremost dog was almost upon Mr. Lewis's camel. In another moment +the beast would sink its teeth in the dromedary's throat. + +Displaying the quickness of a cat, the naturalist unslung his rifle, +took hasty aim, and fired. + +The report of the gun was followed by a longdrawn howl from the huge +dog. + +"Quick!" cried Bob. "The other dog!" + +The second beast was rushing forward angrily. + +Mr. Lewis again took aim. The others, trusting in his marksmanship, +made no move to get their rifles. + +Click! There was no report this time. His magazine was empty! + +Mr. Holton tried vainly to get his rifle out in time. Something must +be done at once, for the savage dog would be at the camels in but a +moment. + +Suddenly Joe leaped from his camel directly in the path of the +oncoming animal. The dog stopped for a second, then rushed at the +youth with terrible ferocity. + +"It's now or never!" Joe thought and brought the butt of his rifle +down with all his strength on the dog's head. + +There was a cry of pain, and the next moment the beast rolled over in +a dazed condition. At last the terrible enemies had been overcome. + +"Great work, Joe!" praised Mr. Holton. "We weren't expecting to see +you act so quickly." + +"I didn't know whether I could hit him at the right time or not," the +youth said, wiping the perspiration from his brow. "But I thought I'd +take a chance. It----" + +He stopped fearfully as a rifle shot rang out. Another report followed +the first, and Tishmak fell from his dromedary. + +"Back!" cried Dr. Kirshner. "It's the Arabs shooting from the tents. +Hurry or we'll all be hit!" + +Tishmak was rapidly picked up and placed on his camel, and then the +explorers retreated behind a formation of rock near the high wall of +stone that was to their right. + +"You look after Tishmak," said Mr. Holton to Dr. Kirshner. "Meanwhile +we'll keep these Arabs away. We certainly aroused their tempers when +we put those dogs out." + +A volley of shots came from the Arabs' tents, and the Americans at +once answered with their own rifles. Wherever a shot was heard, Mr. +Holton directed his friends to fire at the spot. + +Suddenly Mr. Lewis caught a glimpse of a large one-armed Arab who +emerged into full view to send a bullet at his white enemies. Without +hesitation the naturalist fired, bringing the man down with a thud. + +"Look!" cried Bob. "They're backing up. That fellow you shot must have +been the leader." + +"Does seem that way," agreed Mr. Lewis. "But we must remain on guard. +These are treacherous characters." + +Only an occasional shot rang out. Then finally there was silence. + +"Now we'll see how Tishmak is," said Mr. Holton, leaving his position +at the end of the rocky crag. + +They found that Dr. Kirshner had bound and treated the wound, which +was in the left arm. The Arab seemed in high spirits, despite the fact +that he was evidently in pain. + +"It doesn't appear serious," said the archæologist. "With the right +kind of attention it will probably be all right in a few days." + +"Lucky that he wasn't killed, or that more of us weren't hit," +remarked Mr. Lewis gravely. "The Sahara is a dangerous place for +explorers." + +They waited several minutes for any more rifle shots from the Arabs, +but none came. Finally Mr. Holton mounted his dromedary. + +"Let's get on our way," he suggested. "I don't think there's any +danger now. The Arabs have retreated to a distance beyond their +tents, and I believe they'll stay there awhile." + +Tishmak was helped on his camel. Then, when the others had also +mounted, they rode off. + +They were now rapidly leaving the region of low sand dunes behind. +Rocks of all sizes and shapes became more numerous, and vegetation was +more abundant. There were, however, stretches of coarse sand plains, +which were now and then dotted with boulders. + +Suddenly, as they ascended a long low hill, Bob and Joe cried out in +delight and pointed to something a half-mile or so away. + +"A lake!" exclaimed Joe happily. "A lake of water!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +Searching for the Ancient + + +"Not a lake," said Fekmah, shaking his head. "Only another mirage. +They are rather common all through this region, and we may see much +more short time." + +"Well, if there was a real lake there beside that mirage, I wouldn't +know which to pick," confessed Joe. "And look! Even waves are there. +And foam caps!" + +"Wonderful facsimile, all right," remarked Dr. Kirshner. "Old Nature +is capable of playing mighty big jokes on us sometimes." + +For over a half-hour the illusion was visible to the explorers; then, +when they rounded a large pile of rocks, it could no longer be seen. + +"And I'm glad," said Bob. "Now maybe I can get my mind away from +thinking only of water. It wasn't very pleasant to see what looked +like it and not be able to have it." + +"When do we come to another oasis?" inquired Joe of Fekmah. + +"Tishmak say within next fifty miles," was the response. "It be very +small, but there be much water to drink." + +Late that evening they came to the foothills of the Ahaggars. Majestic +Mount Oudane was directly before them, and the whole Ahaggar range +appeared to be only a few miles away in the clear desert air. + +They at last reached the small oasis among the many red boulders. +After filling their containers, they continued toward the mountains, +greatly refreshed and ready for action. But darkness was rapidly +falling, and it would be necessary to stop before long for the night. + +Tishmak, however, thought it best to travel in the moonlight. The +others were more than willing to do this, for now that they were so +near their goal they hesitated to lose any precious time. + +"We can go on for a while," said Mr. Lewis, as daylight rapidly faded. +"Then we'll turn in and get a few hours of sleep." + +Soon it became dark, making it necessary to stop. But before long the +moon came out in full splendor, flooding the rocky vastness with +enchanting light. The distant needle-like peaks took on a strange +appearance, like mysterious towers of a fairyland. + +The scene was unusual and slightly weird, resembling the rough surface +of the moon. For some time the Americans were silent, absorbed in +thought. Finally Bob roused himself. + +"Those mountains seem rather intangible, or ghost-like," he remarked, +as he and Joe rode at the rear of the caravan. + +Joe nodded. + +"It's like we're the characters of an Arabian Nights story," he +muttered. "No vegetation, no life of any kind around anywhere. Gets +under my skin a little." + +Through the early part of the night they rode ever on, on toward the +mysterious Ahaggars. One question stood out in the minds of all. What +did the future hold in store? + +Finally Tishmak brought his dromedary to a halt beside a huge boulder. +He motioned for the others to follow suit. + +"We'll stop here for the night," announced Fekmah, after conversing +with the guide. "But we must be up very early in morning and get on +way to mountains." + +That night everyone slept soundly, anxious to refresh themselves +thoroughly for the tiresome march through the Ahaggars. + +"Let's go," urged Joe, as he dressed the next morning at dawn. "We +can't get to those hidden riches any too soon for me." + +Mr. Holton laughed unwillingly. + +"Who ever heard of fast traveling in the mountains?" he asked. "If we +make ten or fifteen miles in a day we'll be lucky." + +"There are stretches of smooth country, though," Dr. Kirshner put in. +"And when we get to the central plateau of the Ahaggars, it won't be +so hard to cover territory." + +A breakfast of limited food but a bountiful supply of water was +prepared by Mr. Lewis, and then camp was broken. + +In the early-morning light the peaks ahead looked pale purple, but, +said Fekmah, this color would gradually change to mauve and blue as +the sunlight became more radiant. + +As they rounded a tall, red boulder, Tishmak suddenly halted his camel +and pointed to a little crevice between the rocks. + +"Well, as I live!" murmured the archæologist in surprise. +"Camels--dead, mummified camels." + +The beasts had evidently been dead a long time, for their skins were +extremely dry and cracked. The fierce desert sun had preserved their +bodies for an indefinite period. + +"And look, they've got their mouths down to the ground, as if they +were searching for water," observed Joe. + +"They were," affirmed Fekmah. "There once a well here, but it dried up +just before camels got to it." + +"Perhaps they wandered for days searching for it, and then finally +found it--dry." Bob shuddered. + +It was a pitiable sight, particularly to the Americans. They half +expected to come across the mummified body of some unfortunate +explorer who had died a tragic death from thirst. + +"We must be doubly careful to have the containers filled with water," +warned Mr. Holton. "This is a dangerous region, and disaster could +easily come upon our little expedition." + +They trudged on in the rapidly rising temperature of the terrible sun, +keeping their eyes off the ground as much as possible to escape the +glare. They could easily have worn sun glasses, but hesitated to do so +because of the rather obstructed vision. + +"What's this!" cried Dr. Kirshner, as they came to a huge rock that +was directly in their path. + +"Some kind of an inscription, isn't it?" inquired Bob. + +"It is that!" came the excited reply. "An ancient Libyan record, +perhaps of a noteworthy event that took place in this vicinity. If you +will give me a few minutes I'll copy this down. It may prove of great +interest in my future study of early Sahara peoples." + +The others waited for the archæologist to transcribe the writing. It +proved very difficult to read offhand, but that a full translation +would eventually come to light was not in the least doubted by the +other Americans. In fact they had come to regard Dr. Kirshner as a +wonder among men of his profession. + +At last he put the paper back in its place and made a sign to Tishmak +that he was ready to continue the journey. + +"Now let's make time," said Bob anxiously. "We ought to get over a +good many more miles before time for the noon rest." + +And they did. The country had not yet become rough enough to hinder +the progress of the dromedaries, even though huge boulders were strewn +about. By ten o'clock they had reached the base of the Plateau of the +Mouydir, a thousand-foot-high wall of solid stone. + +"Tuaregs have many superstitious legends about this rock," said +Fekmah, after talking several minutes with Tishmak. "They believe evil +spirits up in great caves come down and kill travelers. They too think +sandstorms and whirlwinds are caused by spirits hiding up in large +cracks there." + +"How interesting," said Dr. Kirshner, getting out his small portable +typewriter. + +Bob and Joe had taken motion pictures along the journey, and now they +saw another opportunity to film a scenic wonder. + +"I'd like for you to do a little acting," said Bob to Fekmah, as the +youth turned his camera in the direction of the mammoth wall of rock. + +The Arab looked up in some surprise. + +"I want you to point to the Plateau of Mouydir and talk to Dr. +Kirshner," the young man explained. "Tell him about the legend of the +Tuaregs. Meanwhile I'll be photographing you. Too bad this can't be a +talking picture. All right. Let's go." + +Fekmah understood and smiled. Dr. Kirshner was also willing to assist +the young photographers in their work. + +The Arab and the American engaged in conversation, while Bob took +movies of them pointing to the high rock. When it was finished, Bob +and Joe smiled in satisfaction. + +"That's the kind of scenes we ought to have more of," Joe said. +"They're different from the usual monotony of 'shooting' the country +alone." + +"Gives a sort of individuality, huh?" laughed Mr. Holton. "Well, any +time we can be of use to you, let us know." + +Camp was made at the very base of the huge rock. Then the usual meal +was prepared. + +"Use water sparingly," cautioned Mr. Lewis, as they sat down on the +cool sand in the shade of the tent. "Tishmak says we will not come to +another well till tomorrow afternoon." + +"That's a long time to wait," said Dr. Kirshner gravely. "Can we make +what we have hold out?" + +"We've got to," Joe's father returned. "We'll have to restrain from +taking any undue exercise in the heat of the sun." + +"Hum-m!" Dr. Kirshner looked disappointed. "That seems to want to +spoil my plans for this afternoon." + +"How's that?" + +"I had intended to do a little exploring up on top of that wall of +stone." + +There were exclamations of surprise and anxiety. + +"What!" cried Mr. Lewis. "Why, you couldn't scale that steep cliff +with ladders and ropes!" + +"Maybe not in some places," the archæologist smiled. "But I have +noticed that there are large fissures that would offer footholds with +comparative ease, and I'm going to chance it. There's no telling what +I may bring to light from up on that lofty rock." + +There was a period of silence, finally broken by Bob. + +"May Joe and I go with you?" he asked. + +There were loud protests from the youths' fathers, who thought it +almost madness to attempt to climb the steep slope. But Dr. Kirshner +held up a hand for silence. + +"Wait till we finish this meal and I'll show you a place where it +will be more or less easy to get to the top," he said. + +"If it's there, I'd like to see it," came from Mr. Holton. + +When the noon meal was over, the archæologist led them to a point +perhaps a quarter of a mile from the camp. He pointed up and smiled. + +"Doesn't that look like an easy climb?" he asked. "Plenty of safe +footholds and cracks to grasp. I'm going up." + +Bob and Joe put in a request to their fathers to accompany the +scientist and were finally given permission. + +"But be careful," warned Mr. Lewis. "And don't wander too far away." + +Dr. Kirshner led the way up the side of the cliff, followed by Joe and +Bob. The climb was in some places difficult and a little dangerous, +but they plodded surely up. + +At last, panting and perspiring, they came to the last foothold and +pulled themselves up to the top. Then they turned to take in the view +below. + +Cries of astonishment came from all at the wonderful panorama that +stretched out before them. Hundreds of feet down and to their right +was the camp, and a short distance away were Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis. +The dromedaries were tethered beside a large rock near the cliff. + +"I suppose Fekmah and Tishmak are in the tent," remarked the +scientist, scanning the landscape. + +With the aid of his powerful binoculars the camp was made to appear +quite near, and the features of the naturalists were easily made out. + +At last Dr. Kirshner turned about. + +"A fine view," he said. "But let us not spend too much time here. I +want to explore the roof of this cliff." + +The rocky surface was in most places flat, but there were a few huge +fissures that apparently extended far into the rock. + +They had come to one unusually deep crack when Dr. Kirshner stopped +and slid down the steep side, desirous of seeing the unusual. + +He reached the bottom some fifteen feet below, sending a score of +small rocks down the side of the crevice. + +"What's there?" Joe called down, bending over the side. + +"Nothing, I guess. There is---- Wait a minute!" + +The next moment he was all excitement, having evidently come across +something on the side of the rock. + +"Drawings!" he cried animatedly, pointing to the wall about him. +"Prehistoric drawings of--of elephants!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +The Horror of Thirst + + +"Elephants?" asked Bob, almost bursting out in laughter. + +"Come on," suggested Joe, moving slowly down the side of the fissure. +"Let's have a look at the strange drawings." + +The youths slid to the bottom, where Dr. Kirshner stood staring at the +wall. + +Bob nodded. + +"Drawings of elephants, all right," he said, his eyes on the etched +rock. "And look how plain they are." + +The archæologist took out his notebook and copied the sketches as best +he could. Then he turned to the youths. + +"Here is proof that the desert was not always a desert," he said, his +eyes becoming bright with interest. "Thousands of years ago this +region was green with tropical vegetation, like the dense forests of +East Africa. It was probably inhabited by tribes of people much +different from the Arabs and Tuaregs who now live here. Then came a +gradual dry spell, and in time the luxurious growth gave way to a hot +desert of sand and rocks." + +"Those drawings of elephants, then, were made while this region was +covered with forests?" questioned Joe, becoming as interested as the +scientist. + +The latter nodded. + +"Elephants and other wild game probably roamed about here in great +numbers," he explained. + +After one last look at the strange sketches, the explorers began the +task of climbing up the side of the ravine. It was not easy to pull +themselves up out of the steep crevice, but the rocky walls were +solid, not even threatening to give way. + +Then followed an hour of exploration about the top of the cliff, +during which time the archæologist came upon the remains of many other +ancient drawings and inscriptions. By the time that they were ready to +begin the descent of the cliff, he had filled his notebook. + +"But when we get to the Ahaggars we'll undoubtedly find many more," he +said, slowly leading the way down. + +After what seemed a long time, they came to the bottom of the +precipice and lost no time in getting back to camp. + +"Have any luck?" asked Mr. Holton, looking up with interest as the +three explorers moved toward the tent. + +"Did we!" laughed Joe and proceeded to tell of the many drawings and +inscriptions. + +"You boys should have taken the motion-picture cameras with you," Mr. +Lewis said. "They would have furnished proof to the outside world." + +"Perhaps we can yet," said Joe. + +"No, you can't," protested Mr. Holton. "We must not waste any time +here, if we are to find the hidden riches. Right now," he added, "you +three had better turn in and take your afternoon rest. That sun is +terrible!" + +Dr. Kirshner and the youths did as suggested, glad to rest their tired +limbs. But they were up promptly at three, packing the tent and +provisions on the dromedaries. + +Now, as they continued farther toward the barren mountains, they began +to realize what thirst really meant. As Tishmak had told them, no well +would be reached until late the next afternoon, and their water +containers were none too full. Their throats were parched, and their +tongues began to feel numb. The fierce sun seemed all the hotter, +greatly stimulating thirst. + +All through that day they rode onward, the Ahaggars gradually becoming +nearer. It was late that night when they finally stopped and camped in +a wild region of large red rocks. + +The next day their thirst became almost overpowering, even though they +did not exercise. It seemed that they could stand it no longer, but +they rode continually on toward the well that was located at the foot +of the mountains. + +The noon meal was almost without water. They did, however, sip a small +amount of the precious fluid. + +"Oh, if we could only drink all we want!" groaned Joe, hesitating to +eat the beans that had been prepared. "Everything is so dry without +water." + +But although the explorers were extremely anxious to come to the well, +they gave full consideration to the midday rest. It would have meant +destruction to ride under that terrible desert sun. + +"Before long we'll come to the well," said Fekmah, as they prepared to +continue the journey. "In an hour it be seen." + +"And how glad we'll be," muttered Bob, anticipating the pleasure of +drinking a large quantity of the refreshing fluid. + +The hour passed slowly. They were looking about now, searching among +the many huge rocks. + +Suddenly Tishmak halted abruptly, and the expression of hope that had +been on his face changed to one of fear. He motioned for the others to +move on up to where he was. + +No translation of his excited words was necessary to the Americans. +They understood his anxiety. The well was dry! + +For a moment the explorers sank back, and fear--stark fear--seized +them. Thoughts of disaster haunted their stricken brains--stories of +how large trading caravans had been brought to a tragic end because of +no water. It was torture unthinkable! + +"And after all this waiting," groaned Bob, his hope almost gone. + +The others were equally touched. Now that they had met with defeat, +they felt at a loss to know how to carry on. + +As a last resort Tishmak had fallen into a convulsion of motions +asking Allah that they might be delivered from the jaws of death. His +enthusiasm grew more intense with every moment, becoming almost +disgusting to the others. Even Fekmah, although he was a devout +believer in Mohammedanism, thought the actions of his fellow +countryman detestable. + +"Come, now," urged Dr. Kirshner, using his knowledge of the native +language to console Tishmak. "We'll come out all right. This isn't the +only jam we've been in." + +The guide finally became his natural self, although still a bit +panicky. + +"You'd think after all the expeditions he's led into the Sahara he +would be calm in the face of danger," remarked Bob. + +"Danger, yes. But not in the face of tragedy!" thought Dr. Kirshner, +although he said nothing. He feared all too much that this might be +the end. + +"Where is the next well?" asked Mr. Lewis calmly. + +Fekmah put the question before the guide, who replied that there was +no water within a distance of fifty miles. And mountains lay directly +before them, hindering travel. It might mean a several days' journey +before they would come to the well, and then there was a possibility +that it, also, was dry. Disaster seemed almost inevitable! + +"But let's hurry on," said Mr. Holton. "Perhaps if we make time we can +get to it much sooner than we think." + +The camels were urged forward at a fast trot. But before long they +were entering the mountains, and the rapid pace was necessarily +slackened somewhat. + +During that desperate ride against time, the explorers hardly thought +of the scenic wonders that lay before them. Indeed if they had not +been in such anxiety, they would have seen much to interest them +greatly. + +Tall, needle-like peaks were all about, grotesque rocks dotted the +irregular plateau before them, deep gulches and ravines were +everywhere. It was a wonderful view, that beheld by the adventurers, +and could have been enjoyed to the fullest had they not been in such +terrible plight. + +Luckily there was a full moon that night, lighting the vast expanse +with a weird brightness. Countless stars shone down from the clear +sky, appearing so close that they could seemingly be touched. + +"Like we're in another world," breathed Bob, as he and his chum rode +rapidly at the rear of the pack camels. + +"Does seem strange, doesn't it? I wonder if we'll live to find the +hidden riches?" + +"Of course we will." Bob cheered his friend as best he could, and +himself felt much the better for it. + +Luck was with them that night. The plateau remained open and free from +peaks and rocky crags that would have delayed progress. It was, +however, very unlevel, and the dromedaries often found it necessary to +slow down to a difficult walk. + +It was very late when they finally halted and made camp under the +beautiful mountain sky. After a brief supper, at which almost the last +drop of water was used, they fell asleep, not to awaken until the sun +was well up in the sky the next morning. + +"You know," remarked Fekmah, "it seems strange that that well was dry. +I been thinking about it since we left it behind. Tishmak too thinks +it strange." + +"Why?" questioned Mr. Lewis, sensing that something was in the wind. + +"Because," Fekmah said gravely, "it a large well, and should not go +dry much easy. Tishmak think it been covered up." + +There were exclamations of surprise from the Americans. + +"You mean," began Mr. Holton, beginning to catch the point, "that +someone did it to keep us from continuing the journey?" + +"Yes. I think it might have been the two thieves who stole my map. +They did it to keep us away from hidden treasure." + +There were cries of astonishment from the others. For the past few +days the thought of the thieves had been absent from their minds. Now +they began to realize that at last they had probably come into the +region in which were the hidden riches. + +"Then the rascals must be around here some place," said Joe, looking +about sharply. "Perhaps they're right around here." + +Fekmah got out the map he had made from memory after the original one +had been stolen. He studied it closely for a few minutes. + +"Hidden treasure still great distance away," he said at last. "We not +find it till several days pass. I think the two thieves not here but +somewhere near treasure." + +"What's the next landmark?" inquired Mr. Lewis, as the camels were +made to move forward. + +"The gorge of Arak," Fekmah returned. "It quite a distance from here, +but Tishmak lead us to it quickly." + +All morning they trudged on without coming to the well that Tishmak +knew was somewhere in the first range of mountains. Although it seemed +impossible, their thirst rapidly increased still more. + +"Say," cried Bob, as a sudden thought struck him, "if those two +thieves could cover up the first mountain well, they might do the same +to others. Wouldn't it be possible?" + +"Not the next one," returned Fekmah. "It too large. Take many, many +men to stop it. But there are several small ones farther on that could +be covered." + +At an hour before noon it was necessary to stop for the daily rest, +even though they would have liked to continue in search of water. + +They were in a narrow valley between tall, sharp peaks. A ribbon-like +dry river bed wound in and out among the brightly colored rocks, +suggesting that once a rushing stream had forced its way through the +mountains. + +"How I wish the river were still here," said Joe with a sigh. + +As soon as camp was made, the explorers took it easy in the shade of +the tent, more than glad to escape the terrible heat of the sun. + +But before long Bob and Joe became restless. At last Joe got up and +stretched. He sipped a very small quantity of water; then motioned for +Bob to get up. + +"What's up?" the latter asked. + +"Come on," said Joe, picking up his rifle. "Let's go out awhile. I'm +anxious to explore these mountains around here. There's no telling +what we may come across." + +Bob was willing, and as the sun was slightly less hot, they started +out in the direction of a large mountain that had tall, sharp points +reaching up into the sky. + +"What's that over there?" asked Bob, pointing to a wall of rock some +two hundred feet away. + +"Don't know. Let's go over and see." + +The youths walked over to the precipice and then halted before a small +crack that looked to be the entrance to a cave. + +"Shall we go in?" asked Joe. + +"I'm game. Come on." + +The hole in the rock was so small that it was necessary to crawl on +their hands and knees for a short distance. Then the cave became +larger, and they could stand. + +Bob had his flashlight in his pocket and at once switched on the +light. + +"We're in a large cave, all right," observed Joe, casting eager eyes +about. "There's another opening away over there," pointing to the far +side of the cave. "Let's go through it and see where it leads us." + +The hole was so small that the boys barely got through crawling on +their stomachs. But at last they reached the other side, and Bob +turned the light ahead. + +"Just another cave," said Bob. "Chances are----" + +"Wait!" started Joe, gazing at the darkness before them. "Let's have +some light over there." + +The beam was turned in the direction indicated by Joe, and the next +moment the boys gave startled exclamations. + +"A narrow passageway," observed Bob. "Come on. We'll see where it +takes us." + +Suddenly, as they rounded a sharp corner, the youths came face to face +with something that made them cry out in delight. + +There, directly before them, was a large underground pool of sparkling +water. + +With a word of thanksgiving the young men rushed over and gulped up +large quantities of the precious fluid. + +"At last!" cried Bob, too happy for words. "At last we've found +water!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +Captured! + + +To the two boys, who had hoped against hope that their parched throats +could be relieved, the priceless water tasted like nectar. They had +felt sure that grim tragedy was near. Now their spirits were restored +to a new high level, and they considered themselves equal to anything. + +At last, when they had fully quenched their thirst, they glanced about +the cavern. + +Near the edge of the pool were the tracks of wild animals, which had +evidently made this place a frequent haunt. The youths did not +recognize all the imprints, but Joe stoutly declared that gazelles had +been there. + +"Doesn't seem pleasant to know that we've been drinking after wild +animals, does it?" laughed Bob. + +"No. But we won't think of that, especially since our thirst was so +great. Then, too, it's not likely that many germs are to be found away +out here in the desert mountains." + +The youths stretched out on the cool white sand beside the pool. The +atmosphere in the cavern was such a departure from the fierce outside +heat that they were content idly to while the time away, despite the +fact that they should be getting back to camp. At times they bent over +to drink of the refreshing water, delightfully knowing that they could +have all they wanted. + +Then they grew drowsy and gradually fell asleep, a thing that they +should not have done. + +At last they were awakened--suddenly! Every nerve in their bodies +seemed tense. Something told them not to move. + +Slowly they edged around and looked toward the back of the cave. Then +they started, as a savage growl rent the air. A fierce tiger cat was +crouched ready to spring. It had evidently come to the pool for water +when it had discovered the youths. + +There was no time to take aim with their rifles, for the beast would +be upon them. + +Slowly Bob reached for his pistol, and Joe followed suit. At last the +boys were ready for action. + +With a quick motion Bob whirled about and took hasty aim; then fired. +A second later the report of Joe's gun rang out. + +"Missed!" cried Joe in horror. "Both shots missed!" + +"Well, we won't miss again," said Bob, gritting his teeth. "We've got +to stop him." + +Bob jumped to his feet and took aim. Five shots followed in rapid +succession. Joe continued the defense with his revolver. + +When the deadly fire ceased, the tiger cat was literally riddled with +bullets. It gave a convulsive twitch and rolled over, dead. + +"Finally stopped him," muttered Joe, his face wet with perspiration. +"And a powerful fellow, too." + +"One can do a lot of things if he has to," remarked Bob, putting his +gun back in its holster. + +The youths lost no time in getting out of the cave. They would have +liked to remain in its cool retreat much longer, but they realized +that it was necessary to get back to camp. + +"Won't our dads and the others be tickled beyond words when we tell +them we've found water!" smiled Joe, as they crawled through the +narrow passageway. + +"Tickled is too weak to describe it," said Bob. "I bet old Tishmak +will hug us to death." + +At last they reached the outside and turned their footsteps toward +camp. It was but a short distance away, beyond the tall precipice at +the entrance to the cave. The youths put unusual energy into their +legs and in but a few moments were met by all of their friends. Their +fathers, in particular, rushed forward anxiously. + +"Where have you been so long?" demanded Mr. Holton, vexed to the +utmost that the young men should stay away from camp for an indefinite +period without giving an explanation of where they were going. + +Joe's father's temper was also wrought up. + +"Did something hold you back?" he asked. + +"Yes," Joe answered quietly. "Several things kept us from returning +sooner. But it may interest you more if we tell you that we've found +water." + +"Water!" Mr. Lewis was all excitement. "You mean--you actually have +located a well?" + +Mr. Holton and Dr. Kirshner listened breathlessly. Fekmah translated +joyfully to Tishmak. + +"Not exactly a well," returned Bob, "but something just as good. An +underground pool. And how cool it is! Come on," he added. "I know +you're all dying for a drink." + +Hastily the men followed their young companions over to the large +cliff. Then, after crawling through the small opening, they found +themselves at the edge of the pool of bubbling water. + +For a moment the men could hardly believe their eyes. At last! Water! + +Suddenly, as though urged on by some unseen power, they bent down and +drank until they could hold no more. It was pleasure unthinkable! + +At last Dr. Kirshner straightened up. + +"I've never had such enjoyment in years," he said happily, and then +added: "Lucky that our thirst was no worse than it was, or it would +have been necessary to restrain ourselves from drinking too much at +once." + +When the men had finished drinking, they glanced about the cave. Their +flashlights fell on the body of the tiger cat, and they looked up in +surprise. + +"What's this?" inquired Mr. Lewis, pointing to the bullet-riddled +carcass. + +Bob and Joe smiled. + +"That old boy tried to make us remain for dinner, but we fooled him," +explained Bob. "We had to empty our revolvers to stop him, though." + +There was a clamor of excited questions, and the youths were forced to +relate every detail of the encounter. When they had finished, the +naturalists bent over to examine the striped skin. + +"Too bad, but I'm afraid you've put too many bullets in him for us to +use the skin," said Mr. Holton regretfully. "And a large specimen, +too. But then," he went on, "we won't think of that when your lives +hung in the balance." + +The explorers spent a few minutes sitting in the cool white sand. Then +they went back outside to get the water containers. + +They had had an uneasy feeling that perhaps the camels had been +molested during their stay in the cavern, and gave a sigh of relief +upon seeing them sitting peacefully near the tent. + +As it was getting late, camp was broken, and the dromedaries were led +to the entrance of the cave. The water containers were carried in to +the pool and filled to capacity with what stood between the explorers +and death. + +"Now that everything is in readiness, I suppose we must be getting on +our way," said Dr. Kirshner. "But I must admit I hate to leave that +pool behind. Somehow I've become greatly attached to it." + +"Does seem too bad," Mr. Lewis agreed. "But I suppose we will find +other wells and sources of water. Where is the next one, Fekmah?" + +"Many miles away," the Arab returned. "But come to think of it, +Tishmak says one around here near. If it very far away, we go to it." + +When the question was put to him, the guide replied that the well was +but a few miles away. He considered it unnecessary to find it, as +another was a day's journey in their direction. He informed them that +since it was very large, it could not be easily covered up by the two +thieves. + +With one last look at the high precipice, the explorers turned the +camels back on the lane between the mountains. With the right kind of +luck they would come to the gorge of Arak some time the next day, and +another landmark on Fekmah's duplicate map would have been noted. + +As they penetrated farther into the mountains, the scenery became more +beautiful. There were many wonders that caused the explorers to gasp +in astonishment. + +"The Ahaggar range is of larger extent than the Alps," said Dr. +Kirshner, as they circled about among the rugged cliffs. "And although +not of extremely high altitude, these Saharan mountains have many show +points that cannot be found elsewhere." + +"And they are comparatively unknown to the outside world," put in Bob. +"Why, the average person doesn't even dream of mountains being in the +heart of the old Sahara." + +All along the way Bob and Joe took motion pictures of the many strange +marvels of nature. They photographed the tall peaks, the deep gorges, +and the narrow valleys. They turned the cameras on the many ancient +inscriptions that were of so much interest to the archæologist. + +"We've run off a good many hundred feet of film," remarked Joe, after +the cameras had "purred" for an unusually long period as the youths +filmed a deep canyon through which they passed. "In fact, if they had +given us twice as much film we could easily have used it all." + +Bob nodded. + +"And there's less danger of losing it in a hot, dry region like this," +he said. "Isn't at all to be compared with the damp, tropical climate +of Brazil." + +Slowly the country became more rough, until that evening, after the +meal, the adventurers found it very difficult to pick out a way +between the many large rocks. On one occasion they passed through a +dark tunnel-like passage beneath high, overhanging peaks, and had +literally to feel their way through. There was not the faintest ray of +moonlight to lighten the deep passageway. + +When they finally came to the other end they gave sighs of relief that +at last the moon could again be seen. But now something else hindered +progress. A peculiar desert plant, with sharp, poisonous needles and a +rather disagreeable odor, had been known previously to the explorers. +Now, as they emerged from the dark recesses of the tunnel, they came +upon large clusters of these plants. Everywhere the dromedaries went, +it seemed, they were forced to tramp through these formidable shrubs. + +"It's a wonder they can stand it," said Joe, shaking his head. "Their +feet are already swollen almost double." + +"Be tragedy if the animals would have to stop," the other youth said. +"It would mean our end, I guess." + +"They'll make it all right," put in Mr. Lewis, who was riding at the +rear with the boys. "But, needless to say, we couldn't walk on them." + +Suddenly, as they came to the edge of a dry river bed, Dr. Kirshner +halted his camel and looked about on the ground. The others waited a +moment to see what he had discovered. + +"An ancient tool of flint," he announced, commanding his camel to +kneel. + +The archæologist picked up the instrument and examined it carefully +with the aid of a flashlight. It was about a foot long and shaped to +resemble a crescent. The inner edge was as sharp as a razor. + +"Doubtless some kind of a knife," Dr. Kirshner said, as the others +crowded around him. "Shaped out of flint by people of the Neolithic +age. Perhaps it was used to harvest crops." + +"Crops? In the desert?" Bob was amazed. + +The scholar nodded. + +"It is firmly believed that primitive people lived in what is now the +desert rather than along river valleys of more modern prominence. Of +course the Sahara was at that time much less arid, or dry, than it is +today." + +Dr. Kirshner searched about for other relics, but found none. + +"It is strange how that tool got on the surface of the ground," he +remarked, as they turned the dromedaries ahead. "Other expeditions +have penetrated into this region, and it is quite obvious that they +would have found it had it been in sight." + +"Perhaps a rainstorm washed it out of the ground," suggested Mr. +Holton. + +They rode until late that night, for they were anxious to come to the +gorge of Arak some time the next day. + +"We should see it tomorrow afternoon," predicted Fekmah. + +Notwithstanding this, they rode all the next morning without coming to +the landmark. Finally Tishmak gave up in disgust and stopped in the +shade of an overhanging rock. It was nearly noon, and the necessity to +get a meal was becoming more apparent. + +When they had finished eating they continued to rest in the tent. At +this high altitude the sun was less hot than it had been on the +plateaux, and it would have been possible to ride farther. But they +had become accustomed to the usual afternoon rest and were loath to +depart from this regularity. + +But Dr. Kirshner had sat only a few minutes before he got up and +stretched. Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis were asleep, but Fekmah and +Tishmak remained awake. Bob and Joe sat in one corner of the tent, +sleepily gazing out at the distant peaks. + +"I'm going out and look around," Dr. Kirshner said to them. "Care to +go along?" + +Bob replied in the negative, but Joe arose and walked over to his +rifle. + +"Don't stay too long," advised Bob, as Joe and the archæologist +started out. + +They were familiar with the country in the immediate vicinity of camp. +As there was nothing of new interest to be found there, they hiked +farther to the south. The scientist wished particularly to find more +ancient inscriptions, and, if possible, other evidences of ancient +civilizations. + +"What's this?" cried Joe, slapping his hand to his face. "Well I'll +be---- Some kind of a fly." + +"It is a wonder we haven't come across insect pests long before this," +Dr. Kirshner said. "They are very common all through this section." + +The flies had been discovered while they were trudging through a long, +hot passageway between two high wall-like rocks. Now, as the two +adventurers passed farther on, they came into more of the insects, +which swarmed about as if thirsty for human blood. + +"Ought to have some kind of a spray," remarked Joe, pushing them away +in great numbers. + +"We have, in camp," his friend said. "If the pests bother us much +we'll have to make use of it." + +After an hour's hike they came to another dry river bed, and again +Dr. Kirshner found flint implements scattered about. Joe had a small +motion-picture camera with him, and at the scientist's request he +filmed the half-buried primitive tools as they lay hardly visible in +the sand. + +"I want proof that these antiquities came from the Sahara," Dr. +Kirshner said, placing them in the small box he carried over his +shoulder for the purpose. + +A little later Joe started to take a motion picture of a small animal +that darted across the river bed, but cried out in disgust. + +"A pesky fly got in front of the lens," the youth explained. "Looked +as big as an elephant." + +"One scene ruined," laughed the archæologist. "But you'll have to get +used to that." + +The adventurers stopped here and there to rest and sip a small amount +of water. Then they would hike on, always on the lookout for the +unusual. + +They had just rounded the corner of a tall, cone-shaped peak when Joe +stopped and pointed to the sand near by. + +Dr. Kirshner's jaw dropped in surprise. + +"Footprints!" he cried. "Human footprints!" + +He had hardly uttered the words when there came a chorus of yells from +behind a large rock. A moment later ten or twelve rough-looking Arabs +darted out and surrounded the Americans. The natives at once disarmed +the whites by sheer force and then displayed long knives +threateningly. + +The Arabs chattered ominous words, which caused Dr. Kirshner to start +in alarm and fear. + +"We are being captured!" he exclaimed excitedly. "These Arabs are +hired by the two thieves who stole Fekmah's map!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +The Cave of Treasure + + +At Dr. Kirshner's dread explanation, Joe cried out in surprise and +fear. + +"Captured!" he mumbled in a strange voice. "Find out how long they are +going to keep us." + +The scientist put the question before the Arabs, who laughed +mockingly. + +"Until the treasures have all been taken from the hidden cave," they +replied in the native language. + +Dr. Kirshner could hardly believe his ears. + +"Then--the riches have been found?" he demanded. + +"Yes. And we are to keep you away. We know not how long it will be. If +you act right, we will treat you well. But if you try to get away you +will be severely punished." + +"Where are you taking us?" + +For answer the Arabs only laughed. + +"What do you think of it?" asked Joe, after his friend had translated +the natives' words. + +Dr. Kirshner shook his head. + +"Looks like we're not going to get back to camp today," he said +gravely. "Worst thing is, these rascals may hunt out our friends and +capture them also. If we could just leave some word that would give +them a hint to be on the lookout----" + +The two Americans were forced along the narrow edge of a deep canyon, +and more than once they felt that they were but an inch from death. +Their tempers were thoroughly aroused, but they knew that they had no +chance against such a horde. + +"These fellows are a bit different from American roughnecks," Dr. +Kirshner said. "Arabs would not hesitate to stick a knife through you +if not satisfied with your actions, but our own countrymen would +ordinarily think twice before doing such a thing." + +The two explorers were in the midst of the group, with swarthy natives +on each side of them. To attempt to break loose would indeed be +futile. + +"I wonder if we will be taken near the hidden riches?" muttered Joe, +gazing ahead at the distant country. + +"Hard telling," the archæologist replied. "Of course it is possible, +but I doubt it. Still they might purposefully show us the treasure to +let us know how much we are missing." + +A half-hour's traveling brought them to the base of an unusually high +peak. It might, thought the Americans, be Mount Oudane or Illiman, as +it was every inch of ten thousand feet. + +There was a small well in a crevice between the rocks, and much to +their great delight the prisoners were given the opportunity to drink +to their hearts' content. The water was unusually cool, protected as +it was from the heat of the sun. + +But only a few minutes' rest was allowed, even though the Americans +were very tired after the ceaseless afternoon tramp. + +Another hour of hiking over the rough country brought them to a high +hill, which Dr. Kirshner said led to the central plateau of Atakor. +For a great distance it was almost flat country, with little or no +vegetation. + +The prisoners were forced to climb a narrow ledge and came at last to +the top of the mountain. To their right was a large entrance that led +undoubtedly into a cave. + +The Arabs motioned for the whites to stop and turn into the cavern. +Dr. Kirshner and Joe hesitated for a moment then did as directed. + +At first they found themselves in utter darkness. As their eyes became +more accustomed to the blackness, they saw that a long, narrow tunnel +stretched away from the back of the cave. Whether it led to any place +in particular they did not know. + +"Well, I guess we've come to the end of our tramp," observed Joe, +looking about to see what the Arabs intended to do next. + +There were no chairs or boxes to sit on, but slabs of rock invited the +newcomers to sit down. + +As soon as it became evident that the Americans had settled +themselves, the Arabs stationed themselves at the entrance of the +cave. Before long, however, all of the men but three departed. + +"Looks bad for us," remarked Dr. Kirshner. "We were fools to start out +alone in this country when we knew we were getting near the hidden +riches." + +"Too late now," mourned Joe. "We'll have to make the best of it, I +guess. But I'd feel a lot better if we had some way to warn Dad and +Bob and the others. Perhaps they'll walk right into a trap set by +those Arabs." + +The cave in which they were guarded was in the side of a wall of rock, +which was several hundred feet above the surrounding mountains. From +their lofty positions the Americans could look out over scores of +miles of rugged country. + +Dr. Kirshner had his binoculars strapped over his shoulder and took +them out to view the distant panorama. The binoculars were of very +high power, made by a well-known firm. + +Suddenly his eyes fell on something that made him gasp in +astonishment. + +"The cave of riches!" he cried. "I can see it! And there are five or +six Arabs walking inside!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +Met by Enemies + + +Down a little valley between two high mountains rode four explorers, +their eager eyes penetrating every crevice and notch in the +mountainous country about them. High-power binoculars were turned upon +every level stretch, rifles were fired at regular intervals, voices +were brought to new swells. It was a search that under ordinary +circumstances would have brought Dr. Kirshner and Joe back in a very +short time. + +Finally, after the searchers had been out several hours and darkness +was beginning to fall, Mr. Lewis stopped and buried his face in his +hands. He realized that defeat was staring them in the face. + +"Guess they're really lost," sighed Bob Holton, his face extremely +sober. + +"Or else something has happened to them," added Fekmah in a voice that +he tried to keep steady. + +Mr. Lewis said nothing, but he feared all too much that the Arab was +right. And yet, he reasoned, they were likely to be very careful and +not take chances. Still that would not prevent nature or wild tribes +from harming them. + +Mr. Holton, however, was very optimistic. He believed that, despite +the length of their stay, the two were safe. Perhaps they had fallen +asleep from exhaustion or had wandered farther away than they had +intended and were forced to spend the night in the mountains. + +Tishmak had been left at the camp, as it was thought best to have +someone there in case the archæologist and Joe should return while the +searchers were gone. + +"We're a long distance from camp," said Mr. Lewis, as the searchers +sat on their camels at the brink of a deep gully. "Shall we try to get +back tonight?" + +"I'm in favor of it," returned Mr. Holton impatiently. "Of course we +left word with Tishmak that we might spend the night away, but he may +be greatly worried. Then, too, he might not be safe there alone." + +The others thought this good advice, and turned the dromedaries back +up the lane. They could possibly get half of the way there before the +darkness would halt them. Then the moon would probably furnish +sufficient light to continue. + +"Here's hoping they will be at camp when we get there," said Bob. + +But Tishmak was the only one who greeted them when finally they rode +wearily up to the tent. + +The guide had fully expected to see the lost ones return with the +others, and his face wore an anxious look when he saw that their +search had been in vain. + +Fekmah immediately related their past experiences, concluding by +asking what Tishmak thought had happened to them. + +The guide replied that, as Mr. Holton had said, perhaps they had +wandered farther away than they had intended and were forced to spend +the night away. Of course, he went on, tragedy might have come upon +them, but he doubted this very much. The Tuaregs who inhabited this +region were friendly to strangers, showing excellent hospitality. And +both Dr. Kirshner and Joe he considered able to take care of +themselves. He finished by saying that, through his guiding numerous +expeditions into the Sahara, he believed himself capable of judging a +true explorer. + +When Fekmah translated this to the Americans, they were much relieved. +Especially was Mr. Lewis hopeful. He had confidence in Joe and +believed him equal to taking care of many tight situations. + +Notwithstanding this, there was little sleep for any of them that +night. When at last the sun began to peep through the distant +mountains they were up ready for action. + +"We've got to find them today," said Bob, gritting his teeth. + +"We will, if they are anywhere around here," Mr. Lewis added. "Let's +hurry and have breakfast." + +As soon as the meal was over, they again started out on the search, +this time taking Tishmak and leaving Fekmah. The latter thought this +the best procedure, as the guide could render more assistance in +searching the mountains. + +Taking the opposite direction from the one they followed the day +before, the explorers rode off, bidding warm farewells to Fekmah. + +For several miles they rode over the smooth surface of a dry river +bed. Then they turned and followed a path around a small mountain. + +"Wonder how this path got here?" said Joe, as they plodded up the +hill. + +"Wasn't made by nature," concluded Mr. Holton, observing the +regularity that was persistent with every step. + +He resolved to use his limited knowledge of the native language and +inquired of Tishmak, for surely the guide would know. + +When finally the latter understood, he replied that the lane had been +made by Tuaregs who inhabited this region. Perhaps the path would +lead them to a village. + +But the searchers trudged on around the hill without seeing any signs +of natives. However, they finally broke away from the narrow way and +emerged on level country. + +They were now on a high plateau, with towering peaks on all sides of +them. As far as the explorers could see, there were no breaks or +ravines anywhere about. + +Rifles were discharged at intervals, and hoarse shouts often rent the +air. At every few steps the searchers stopped to look about, almost +expecting eventually to find the lost ones nearer than they thought. + +Once Bob thought he heard footsteps, but several minutes of listening +convinced them that no one was about. Perhaps it had been his +imagination. + +"Sounded like someone was coming toward us," the youth said. "But I +guess I just thought so." + +"We'll have to keep our ears and eyes wide open," Mr. Lewis reminded +them. "If Joe and Dr. Kirshner are anywhere around here, it might be +possible to hear them." + +"Isn't likely that they fell into the hands of Tuareg raiders, is it?" +asked Mr. Holton. + +"Tishmak said not," Joe's father returned. "He thinks that the +Tuaregs around here are friendly and peaceful." + +A little farther on they passed several large slabs of rock that were +covered with ancient inscriptions and drawings. Dr. Kirshner would +surely throw a fit of delight if he could see them. But, thought Bob, +perhaps he had already come to them and was searching for more, quite +forgetful of the necessity to get back to camp. But no, this could not +be, for Joe would realize that necessity if the scientist did not. + +At noon they stopped for lunch under a large crag that resembled an +inverted hook. There was plenty of water in their containers, giving +each the opportunity to satisfy his thirst. + +There was not much conversation during that rest, for they were all +busy with their thoughts. And those thoughts were anything but +cheerful. But they refused to give up hope so soon, for another +half-hour might see the two lost ones back with their friends. + +Scarcely ten minutes were spent in the shade of the rock. Even then +Mr. Lewis felt that that time had been wasted. + +"Something might have happened to them during that time," he said, +greatly worried. + +Mr. Holton laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. + +"Snap out of it, Ben, old man," he begged. "I'm willing to bet that +they are safe and well. And I firmly believe we will find them before +another day will pass." + +Mr. Lewis did resolve to cheer up and be hopeful; but still he +possessed a haunting fear that perhaps tragedy had come upon them. + +The sun blazed very hot that afternoon, scorching the already baked +soil. This did not hinder the progress of the searchers, however, who +trudged constantly on. + +Suddenly, as they passed over a wide valley strewn with rocks and +dotted with cracks and ravines, Bob stopped and looked about +expectantly. The others had also caught a sound. + +The next moment the explorers were seized with fear, for ten or twelve +evil-looking Arabs darted out on dromedaries and rushed toward the +explorers. + +"What's this!" cried Mr. Holton, as one of the men caught hold of his +camel. + +There was no chance to use their guns. The Arabs were on the lookout +for any treachery. + +Suddenly Bob saw a chance and, drawing the reins of his dromedary, he +dashed away at full speed for a short canyon between the rocks. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +A Dangerous Undertaking + + +Urging his dromedary on to the utmost, the youth was carried over the +narrow valley at a pace that ate up the distance surprisingly. In +fact, never had he traveled so rapidly on camelback. + +When he was several hundred feet away, he glanced back, to see that +two of the Arabs were pursuing him desperately. At the start he had +put a good distance between himself and his enemies, but now the +latter were gaining swiftly. They were more familiar with the country +and knew better how to command their camels to move fast. + +"If I can only make that little canyon," the youth thought, bending +low so as to lessen the wind resistance. + +The canyon was near now, but a hurried look over his shoulder told Bob +that the Arabs were near also. If he could only get there! + +He lashed the dromedary with a new determination and entered the +narrow way between the mountains just as the Arabs passed over a small +grove of low shrubs some two hundred feet away. + +Bob knew that this was a very short canyon and that there were +numerous large rocks and crevices at the opposite end. Perhaps he +could successfully evade his pursuers by hiding in one of these +openings in the mountainsides. + +Sharp jagged crags protruded from all sides of the thread-like +passageway between the high walls. It was very dangerous to ride with +much speed in such a place, but the chance had to be taken. + +He reached the other end of the passage with but a moment to spare. +Immediately his dromedary was cut over to the right behind a +barrel-like rock. But the youth did not stop there; he wound in and +out among the many huge boulders. + +At last he came to a stop in a large crevice between two imposing +slabs of stone. With every nerve on edge, the young man listened. + +"They're coming!" he thought, getting out his revolver. "But they +won't get me if I can help it!" + +But he was in a very secure hideout, and it was unlikely that the +Arabs would locate it. Still he realized that they probably knew this +region better than did he. + +As Bob waited breathlessly, his mind was in a whirl. Who were these +Arabs? What did they want? Why had they descended upon the little +exploring party so mysteriously? Bob did not know what to make of the +situation, but he knew that danger was at hand. What further added to +his perplexity was the fact that Arabs did not normally inhabit the +Sahara so far south as this. + +Suddenly he started, as a thought struck him. Was it--the two thieves +who stole Fekmah's map? Entirely possible, of course. + +Then a strange thing happened. As though informed by some unseen +power, Bob grasped the whole situation. He saw Dr. Kirshner and Joe in +the clutches of the two thieves, being held as prisoners. He visioned +his father, Mr. Lewis, and Tishmak riding away under the guard of the +Arabs. + +"Those thieves did it, then, to keep us away from the hidden +treasure," thought the youth, and he could not have had a more +accurate realization. + +For some time he listened closely for any sound from the two Arabs who +had pursued him. He thought once he heard the footsteps of camels, but +was not sure. + +What was he to do next? He was now doubly glad that good fortune had +enabled him to escape from the would-be captors. If the Arabs had been +nomad plunderers, he would probably not have suffered much by +remaining with his father and the others. But as it was, there was a +possibility of bringing rescue to his friends. + +"How am I to do it?" the youth mused, trying to remain calm. + +Suddenly the far-away noise of footsteps came to his ears, and he knew +that the two Arabs who had followed him had given up and were +abandoning the chase to join their friends back in the valley. + +After several minutes of waiting, Bob got off his camel and tethered +the brute to a small protruding rock. Then he walked over to some +distance beyond the mountain near which he had been hiding. + +He glanced up to the top of the peak and saw that it was unusually +high. The sides stretched almost straight up. + +"If I could only get to the top of some tall mountain," Bob thought, +his eyes scanning the landscape. "Then I might be able to see where +Dad and the others will be taken." + +The peak before him offered no footholds and therefore could not +possibly be scaled. He looked about for other sky-piercing hills. At +last his eyes fell on one about a hundred yards away, and he resolved +to inspect it. + +"Looks like there might be a chance there," the youth thought and then +walked over and untied his dromedary. + +He rode over to the mountain, every step bringing new hope. The peak, +rocky as it was, was rather gradual and not straight up, as were many +others in the vicinity. + +Once more the camel was tied by the rocky side, and Bob moved over to +gaze up to the top. The dizzy height almost took his breath away. But +he saw at once that it would be possible to climb to the very summit +of this imposing peak of rock. + +Bracing himself to the task that was before him, Bob began the +dangerous ascent, slowly, at first, and then climbing faster. It was +exhausting, fear-inspiring, but he went bravely up. There was no +option in this case. He must observe where his father and the others +would be taken by their Arab captors. + +"If I can only get up in time," the young man thought, as he sought +out a means to ascend a five-foot plate of smooth stone that was +directly above him. + +To do this, it was necessary to edge on around the mountainside until +he came to a rough, gradual section. Then climbing became +comparatively easy. + +Once, when he was but a third of the way up, he glanced back over his +shoulder to the ground below and almost lost his balance. But he +caught himself with a quick motion, and after resting a moment from +the terrific strain, continued the climb. That glance to the ground +had revealed that he was several hundred feet up. How easy it would +be to slip backwards! + +Another hundred feet and he found himself on a wide shelf, which +seemed to encircle the peak. A short rest was taken here, and in the +end he felt much better for it. + +"Wonder if I can get down from here?" the boy mused, again taking up +the climb. "I'll find some way, though," was his conclusion. + +For a few more hundred feet the way was very gradual, with many rocks +of different sizes affording footholds. But as he came to a sharp +break in the side of the mountain, the lofty pointed crag shaped up +straighter and more jagged. Once he thought he had gone as far as +possible, but finally managed to get to the brink of a slab that had +threatened to hinder his progress. + +"On to the top," he thought, bringing his foot up another notch with +difficulty. + +At last, panting and perspiring, he ascended the last stretch and took +his position on the flat surface of a platform-like formation. Then he +turned to look below. + +A cry of astonishment came from his lips as he saw that he was +hundreds and hundreds of feet in the air. Far, far below, he could +dimly make out his dromedary by the outermost side of the mountain. +The beast seemed no larger than an ant. + +"I wonder if Dad and the others can be seen," he mused, turning his +gaze in the opposite direction. + +"Yes!" he muttered excitedly. "There they are." + +He had caught sight of his father and friends being led up the valley +by their Arab captors. The camels on which they rode seemed only +crawling, so small did they appear. + +As usual, his binoculars were strapped over his shoulder, and he took +them out to get a closer view. Through them he could see the worried +expressions on his friends' faces, and the surly grins of the Arabs. + +There was a sort of narrow ledge that passed up the little valley and +around the mountain. It was up this that the captives were being led. + +"There's probably a hideout somewhere around here," the youth thought, +shifting his eyes from the camel procession to the rugged country +ahead. + +From his lofty perch it might be possible to get a glimpse of the +hidden cave in which were the riches. Bob scanned the landscape about +him but finally gave up and again followed the movements of his +friends and the Arabs. + +"If it's anywhere around here, it's concealed from view," he thought. + +The youth was crouching low behind a flat shelf of rock, so as to be +invisible to the Arabs if they should happen to look up in that +direction. He knew that their seeing him would spell his doom. + +As Bob watched the line of camels and their riders, it seemed that +they were making no time at all; yet he knew that they were winding +around the mountain as fast as possible. + +Up, up, up they went, but always in sight. Bob noticed that they were +gradually moving away from him, and he wondered if he would be able to +follow their movements to the end. + +"If I can't, I'll have to change peaks," he thought, although he +realized that this would be difficult and dangerous. + +The Arabs and their captives were now nearing a high wall of rock that +would prevent them from being seen. But it would be for only a short +time--if they did not stop opposite it. + +After what seemed like hours to Bob, they emerged again into view, +this time at the brink of a high cliff. + +"Hope they don't step off of there," the youth breathed, his heart in +his mouth. + +At last, just as the sun was beginning to sink behind the distant +peaks, the camels and their riders came to a stop at an opening in a +mountainside that evidently led into a cave. + +Hardly able to hold the binoculars steady, Bob watched breathlessly, +almost expecting to catch sight of Joe and Dr. Kirshner. But those +individuals did not make an appearance. Bob did not doubt, however, +that they were in the cave. + +A moment later, captors and captives dismounted from their dromedaries +and walked through the opening out of sight. + +Bob waited silently for another half-hour, thinking that it might be +possible that this was only a temporary prison. But when at the end of +that time no one had left the cave, he was convinced that this was a +permanent hideout. + +"Now I suppose it's up to me to get down from here right away," Bob +thought, gliding silently off the shelf and onto a narrow ridge that +was directly below. + +Carefully he felt his way down with great difficulty. As he had +surmised, the descent would prove much harder than the ascent. + +Once his heart sank, as he saw that a five-foot wall of stone was +directly below him. But then he suddenly remembered that a little to +his right there were protruding rocks that would offer footholds. He +edged around, and in a short time was again climbing steadily down. + +The minutes passed. When he was a third of the way to the bottom, +darkness began to fall rapidly. He realized that he could not get to +the base of the peak before pitch darkness would envelop him. + +"But I've got to keep going down," he told himself, frantically +feeling his way among the rocks. + +For the past five minutes he had been getting drowsy, sleepy. The +day's strain was beginning to tell on him. With an effort he kept +himself awake. He knew the grim consequences if he should suddenly +fall asleep while making the dangerous descent of the peak. + +He was half of the way down; now two thirds. But a few more hundred +feet remained, and he braced himself and continued his slow, careful +movement. + +"Not much more now," he observed, glancing down. "Ought to make it in +a few more minutes." + +Long before, darkness had come upon him, making the frequent use of +his small flashlight necessary. Even then it was a hard task. + +"Must be almost to the bottom," he thought, when another fifteen +minutes had passed. + +He flashed the light downward and saw that fifty feet still remained. +Again he bent his efforts upon the descent that was still before him, +and in no time had covered most of the distance. + +But just when he prepared to use his flashlight, a small rock gave way +from under his left foot. He tried vainly to catch hold of a sharp +crag, and then felt himself falling! + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +Going for Help + + +When Bob reached the ground, he was sore from numerous bruises, but to +his great joy his legs and arms responded to his efforts to move them. + +He glanced up the side of the peak, but the darkness veiled his +vision. + +"Wonder what became of the old flashlight?" he mused, feeling about on +the soft ground. + +Finally his hand came upon something hard, and a thrill of delight ran +through him as he realized that he had found the electric torch. But +his heart sank as he saw that it had been damaged by the fall. + +"Lens wasn't broken, though," he observed. "Must be the bulb." + +Without the light there was no way of knowing how far he had fallen. +But he readily guessed that it was not over eight or nine feet. + +The moon was just beginning to show itself from behind the thin +clouds, and it might be possible to travel in its light. Whether to do +so or not, Bob could not easily decide. He knew that Fekmah would be +extremely worried if no one returned to camp that night, but he +doubted if he could keep awake long enough to direct his dromedary +over the right way. He finally made up his mind to stretch out beside +the mountain and surrender himself over to sleep. + +"I hate to treat Fekmah that way, but I don't believe I could make it +back," the youth thought, closing his eyes. + +A second later he fell asleep, not to awaken until the sun was well up +in the sky. + +"Eight o'clock!" he cried, looking at his watch. "By George! I bet +Fekmah is throwing a dozen fits." + +Bob at once jumped up and untied his dromedary. He was on the animal +in a moment and rode back toward camp. + +"I hope I know the way," he thought, as he was carried to the spot +where his father, Mr. Lewis, and Tishmak had been captured. + +But the youth had carefully observed the landmarks as they left camp +on the search, and had no difficulty in recognizing the way. + +First, however, Bob had made a small sketch map of the distant cave in +which his father and friend were being held captive. He was positive +he could locate it, perhaps without the use of the map. + +Bob was now passing up the path that Tishmak had believed made by +Tuaregs. For a good distance it would be necessary to follow this +lane; then he would turn off on a level stretch. + +Suddenly, as Bob made a sharp bend in the path, his jaw fell in +surprise and horror. + +Not twenty feet away sat a native, a Tuareg, with his back against a +low rock. The man was terror-stricken as he watched a long reptile +move toward him with a slow, terrible fascination. + +That the man knew not what to do, Bob rightly guessed. If he should +make the slightest move, the reptile, a deadly horned viper, would +strike. + +"It's up to me to come to his rescue," thought Bob, and, raising his +rifle, he took steady aim. + +The report of the gun was followed by a terrible twitching of the +snake. Meanwhile the Tuareg had jumped in surprise at the sound of the +gun and was now looking at his benefactor thankfully. + +Bob rode on up to the man and dismounted, to be met by the Tuareg. The +latter was of unusual height, towering several inches above Bob, who +was himself six feet. + +The man quite promptly threw his arms around Bob and hugged him, too +thankful for words that he had escaped a terrible death. It was rather +embarrassing for the young American, but he smiled modestly and passed +the thanks aside as best he could. + +Finally the Tuareg stood away and motioned for Bob to follow him up +the path. The youth did as directed, even though he was anxious about +getting back to camp. + +As Bob followed his newly made friend up the lane, he took note of the +man's dress. He was garbed in a loose black robe, which reached almost +to his feet. On his chest were numerous decorations that distinguished +him as a man of some importance among his people. What seemed most +unusual was a black veil that covered his face, leaving little more +than his eyes visible. On his head was a strange high cap of black and +white. + +"Quite a specimen," thought Bob. "And evidently a chief or nobleman." + +Ten minutes of walking brought them to the top of the hill. Then, as +they moved around a large rock, Bob caught sight of several tents +placed about a hundred yards apart on a vast plain. + +Several natives came running out, followed by a score more. They +rushed forward as they caught sight of Bob and his friend. + +The latter at once spoke excitedly to his fellow people, and Bob +rightly guessed that he was telling of being saved from the snake by +the white youth. + +When the man had finished, the Tuaregs looked at Bob with gratitude +and admiration. They asked him by signs to come into their tent +village, and he did so. + +"Wish I could speak some of their language," he thought, as he was +being shown the various things about the tents. + +It now became apparent that the man whom Bob had saved from death was +the chieftain of the tribe, as he was held in high esteem by all. And +no one else wore such decorations as did he. + +Suddenly a thought struck Bob, and he smiled in renewed hope. Perhaps +it would be possible to engage the aid of these Tuaregs in rescuing +his friends from the Arabs. Could it be worked? + +Bob was now extremely anxious to get back to camp, for he knew that +Dr. Kirshner had prepared a paper with many Tuareg words on it for +reference. The youth would get that paper and then come back and ask +for help in rescuing his father and the others. Perhaps they would be +willing to give aid. + +As best he could, Bob told the Tuaregs by signs that he must be +leaving, and it was evident that they understood. With a last +farewell, the youth turned his dromedary away. + +His hopes were high as he rapidly covered ground toward camp. Before +coming across these Tuaregs, Bob was in doubt as to whether he could +tackle so many of the Arabs alone in order to rescue his father and +friends. Now, with the prospects of getting aid from the Tuaregs, the +future looked brighter. + +"Still they might not be willing to help," he thought. "But at least I +can ask them." + +After winding in and out among the huge rocks and peaks for well over +an hour, Bob turned his camel up a little hill and came in sight of +camp. + +How good it looked! Since his friends had been captured by the Arabs, +the youth had had an uneasy feeling that perhaps he could not find his +way back. + +"Where's Fekmah, I wonder," he mused, looking about. + +A moment later the Arab came running up, delighted beyond words at +again seeing him alive and well. + +"What kept you away so long?" Fekmah asked. "And where are the +others?" + +Bob's face darkened. He told of his father, Mr. Lewis, and Tishmak +being captured by the Arabs, and of his own good fortune in getting +away. + +"But," he said, "I have a plan to bring about their rescue." + +"What is it?" Fekmah waited breathlessly. + +"On the way back to camp this morning, I came upon some Tuaregs who +live in a tent village several miles from here. They were very +friendly and wanted me to stay longer, but I told them I had to get +back. + +"Now Dr. Kirshner has a paper with a good many Tuareg words on it. I +remember hearing him tell about it several days ago. If we can find +that, everything will probably be all right. We'll take it with us to +their village and ask them in their own language to help us. How does +it sound?" + +"Very good," Fekmah returned. "But do you think they will?" + +"Won't do any harm to find out," Bob said, going in the tent. + +Dr. Kirshner's large satchel was on a box, and the young man at once +took it down and searched its contents for the paper of Tuareg words. +His nerves were on edge with a terrible fear that perhaps it would not +be there. + +Papers and books and pamphlets were all taken out and hastily read. +Scarcely would the youth glance at one sheet when he would pick up +another. Under ordinary circumstances, Dr. Kirshner would not have +permitted anyone to go through his belongings, but now it was a case +of necessity. + +Suddenly Bob straightened up in great relief. He had at last found the +object of his search. + +"Here it is," he said to Fekmah, who was standing beside him. "A +translation of about three hundred Tuareg words. Now I guess we'll +fool those Arab crooks." + +Bob had had nothing to eat that morning, and he was very hungry. He +lost no time in preparing a satisfying breakfast. When he had +finished eating, he turned to Fekmah. + +"Now," he said, "I'm going to that Tuareg village and ask for aid in +rescuing Dad and the others. You had better stay here with the camels +and supplies, hadn't you? It would probably mean tragedy for us if +anything should happen to them." + +"Yes," the Arab returned, "I will stay. And I not afraid that you will +fail." + +"I'll try not to," Bob said, getting on his dromedary. + +With a warm farewell the youth rode off at a rapid pace. His mind was +desperately set upon a purpose. He would rescue his father and friends +if he had to do it himself. + +The Tuareg village was several miles away, but his fleet-footed camel +covered the distance in no time. + +"Here's where I get busy with this new dialect," Bob thought, getting +out the paper of native words. + +A score or more Tuaregs came running up, led by the chieftain, whom +Bob had saved from death previously. The people shouted sincere +welcomes. + +Bob glanced down at the paper and found a few words for casual +conversation. They were not difficult to pronounce, and the effect +upon the natives was astounding. They were indeed surprised to find +that this white youth could speak any of their language. + +But before long Bob got to the purpose. There was one word that stood +out in his mind more prominently than any of the others. It was +_reeskra_ (help). + +As best he could, the young American picked out several words and put +them in sentences. He outlined briefly and simply that his father and +friends were being held captives in a cave not a great distance away. +If the Tuaregs would give aid, they would be rewarded. Would they +help? + +The result of his request was instantaneous. The Tuareg men, nearly +all six-footers, waved their guns in the air and commanded Bob to lead +them to the cave where the whites were being guarded. + +A thrill of joy ran through Bob's veins, and he ordered his dromedary +to move forward. At last his father and friends would be released. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +To the Rescue + + +For a distance of several hundred yards the country remained +comparatively level, although dotted with huge rocks. Then mountains +loomed up before them, and they found it necessary to travel slower. + +Bob was followed by about fifteen Tuareg warriors, all magnificent +specimens of "desert knights." Each man was armed with a rifle which, +although inferior to Bob's high-velocity type, could do much damage. + +Bob was almost certain he could find the way without the small sketch +map he had made from the top of the tall peak the night before. But he +had the map in his pocket and intended to consult it if necessary. + +Breathlessly he led the way through the rough country and at last came +to the spot where his father and friends had been captured by the +Arabs. + +From then on, finding the way would be easy, the youth thought, for he +had only to move toward an odd formation of twin peaks that loomed up +above the other mountains in the distance. The cave in which those +captured were probably being held was along the side of those tall +double peaks. + +To make sure of this, Bob got out the map and scrutinized it closely. +Then, satisfied that he was right, he dashed forward, the Tuaregs at +his heels. + +The way now led up the side of a large hill. There was a break just to +one side of the path, and the rescuers could look down to the foot of +a deep gorge. Bob kept his dromedary as far away from the brink as +possible, to do away with the grim possibility of the ground giving +way from under his camel's feet. + +Finally, after trudging over a high plateau, they began climbing the +base of the twin peaks. At first the ascent was very gradual, but in a +short time the path curved upward around the side of the mountain. + +"Getting there, all right," observed Bob, as he noticed that they were +now several hundred feet above the plateau. + +At last they came to the top of a wide ledge, from which they could +look out over scores of miles of rugged country. As the shelf began to +narrow, Bob called a halt. + +He took out the paper of native words and told the Tuaregs that they +were now near the cave in which were his father and friends. It would +only be necessary to round a corner before coming to its entrance. + +But first he divided the group of natives into two sections. One, +under the command of the chieftain, was to move on around the ledge to +the cave from the west. The other, led by himself, would climb the +steep side of the mountain and walk on above to the other side of the +cavern. Then they would meet at the entrance and surround the Arabs +and release the prisoners. + +When Bob gave the word, the Tuaregs swung into action. Those in his +group followed him up the cliff to the brink, while the men under the +chieftain began moving around the ledge. + +It was a dangerous climb up the steep side of the mountain, but at +last Bob pulled himself up to another ledge about fifty feet above the +lower one. Then he led the way several rods along its surface. When he +thought they had passed beyond the entrance to the cave, he led the +descent to the lower shelf. + +A moment later he saw that he had miscalculated. He had not gone far +enough beyond the cavern to escape the wary eyes of the Arabs who were +stationed as guards. + +"Caught!" he exclaimed. "Caught square!" + +Four Arabs were sitting out in front, and they were on their feet +instantly as their eyes fell on Bob. The latter was no more than +twenty-five feet away from them, much nearer than he had expected to +be. + +The Arabs' rifles were standing against the wall of rock near the +cave. But before the men could get to them, Bob rushed forward. With a +wild shout he kicked the rifles away and dashed into the cavern. + +Startled exclamations--exclamations of joy, surprise, happiness--came +to the youth's ears, and he realized that he had at last found his +father, Joe, and the others. + +"Bob! You here!" cried Mr. Holton in wild excitement. + +"You old rascal! I knew you'd get us out!" came from Dr. Kirshner. + +But there was no time for that. Danger was at hand. + +"Quick!" he commanded. "Hide. Here, take my rifle, somebody. I'll use +my pistol. There's no time to lose!" + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the four Arabs darted +inside the cave and made for the captives and their new enemy. They +would not be beaten so easily! + +With a terrific crack to the chin, Bob sent the foremost Arab to the +ground. The other three men were making for the prisoners in the back +of the cave. + +Mr. Holton had taken Bob's rifle and was by the youth's side looking +for other Arabs. + +Suddenly Bob noticed that the man whom he had knocked down was getting +to his feet and making for the rifles not far away. + +Without hesitating a moment, the youth dashed out of the cave and +directed a stinging blow to the Arab's nose. The latter staggered a +moment at the edge of the cliff, and then, to the horror of the two +Americans, fell backwards over the cliff. + +Bob gave a cry of regret. Despite the fact that the Arab was an enemy, +the young man did not wish to send him to his death. + +Mr. Holton had also been touched deeply. + +"You--you shouldn't have done that," he muttered. "But--it couldn't +have been helped." + +Now a chorus of shouts and yells rent the air, and the Tuaregs rushed +into the cave. To the surprise and relief of the Americans, they had +captured the two thieves who stole Fekmah's map. Where had they found +them? + +Mr. Holton, Dr. Kirshner, and the other former prisoners were taken +aback at sight of the natives. At first they thought them other +enemies. Bob soon gave an explanation. + +The thieves were searched for Fekmah's map, but the latter was not +found. + +Meanwhile a struggle was taking place at the rear of the cave. + +Joe in particular attracted Bob's attention. The former youth was +grappling with a large, powerful fellow, who was vainly trying to +choke his young enemy. + +"Joe's sure a fighter," remarked Bob, as he and his father looked on +for a moment. + +"We had better help him, though," Mr. Holton said. "Come on." + +But a second later they saw that this would be unnecessary, for Joe +had suddenly jerked away and sent his fist with all force into the +Arab's jaw, knocking him out. + +"Great work!" commended Mr. Holton. "That fellow was dangerous." + +The two remaining Arabs saw that they had no chance against so many, +and they surrendered without a struggle. + +"Now tell us all about it," urged Dr. Kirshner, speaking to Bob. "We +want to know how you managed to engage the aid of these Tuaregs." + +Briefly the youth outlined his adventures since escaping from the +Arabs the day before. He told of climbing to the top of the peak, of +saving the Tuareg chieftain from death, and of getting the paper of +Tuareg words. + +"That's all," he finished. "Only these natives came up here with me to +get you out of the clutches of these Arabs." + +"A wonderful demonstration of ingenuity," breathed Mr. Lewis. "We +expected you all the time. Knew you'd find some way." + +"But our greatest work is yet before us," Bob said. "We must drive the +Arabs from the hidden treasure--if we can locate it." + +"No," came from Mr. Holton, "we won't need to do that." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +The Hidden Treasure + + +Bob looked at his father in surprise. + +"What do you mean?" he asked. + +"Simply that no one is there to drive away now," was the reply. "We +have captured all of the Arabs--even the two thieves who stole +Fekmah's map. And I might add that we have located the hidden +treasure." + +"What! You've been there?" + +"No, but we've seen the cave in which it is. In fact, it is possible +to see it from here." + +Mr. Holton took out his binoculars and handed them to his son. + +"Look away over there," the naturalist said, pointing to a distant +wall of rock that was many hundred feet high. "That small shelf on the +side of the cliff is an opening into the cave in which are the hidden +riches." + +Bob scanned the landscape ahead. Then he cried out in surprise and +amazement. + +"A cave away up in that cliff? Seems impossible. How can you get to +it?" + +"Must be an entrance on the other side," Dr. Kirshner replied. +"Fekmah's map no doubt points it out. Whether he remembered to put it +on the duplicate after the original was stolen, we have yet to see. +Where is he now?" + +"Who, Fekmah? I left him at camp this morning." + +"Let's go there now." + +First, however, Dr. Kirshner engaged in conversation with the Tuaregs +in their own language. He told them, among other things, of how +grateful he and the other former prisoners were for their help in +releasing them from the clutches of the Arabs. + +The natives were very courteous and friendly, inviting the +archæologist to their village. He returned that he would be delighted +to visit them, and concluded by saying that they would be given a +reward for their generous services. + +"Now let's get out of here," he said, turning to his friends. "I'm +particularly anxious to get back to camp and see Fekmah. I wonder if +any misfortune could have come upon him and our camels." + +The Americans, Tuaregs, and Arab captives left the cave behind and +trudged down the mountainside. But before they did so, they carried +out the food supply that had been in the cave for the prisoners and +their guards. It consisted of simple native food, but was welcomed by +the Americans and Tishmak. + +"There is much more in the cave where the hidden treasure is," +remarked Joe, as he walked beside his chum, who was leading his camel. +"We won't need to worry about not having enough to eat for many +weeks." + +"Doubt if we'll stay here that much longer," Bob said. "But I imagine +it'll come in handy all right." + +The Arabs were ordered to walk in front of the Americans and Tishmak. +The Tuaregs rode on to their village, after asking their newly made +friends to visit them the next morning. + +It required several hours for the explorers and their captives to get +back to camp, going on foot as they did. But when they finally came +within sight of the tent and camels, all gave sighs of relief. + +Fekmah came running out to meet them, his face showing an intense +thankfulness at again seeing his American friends and Tishmak alive +and apparently none the worse for their experience. + +"So Bob got you from Arab demons," he muttered and then added: "I knew +he would do it." + +Nothing would satisfy him but a complete detailed account of their +experiences, and it was Mr. Lewis who related all of the happenings +since they had last left camp. + +"Howard [Mr. Holton] and Tishmak and I were sure greatly relieved when +our captors took us to the cave where Joe and Dr. Kirshner were being +held," Mr. Lewis finished. "Funny, but we had not dreamed of them +being prisoners." + +"And I see you've brought the rascals with you," observed Fekmah. +"What are we going to do with them?" + +"I'm sure we've all been thinking about that," Dr. Kirshner returned. +"There are no police so far south as this, and we can't very well take +them with us back to Wargla. I wonder how it would be to take them to +an oasis fifty miles or so from here and leave them? There would be no +danger of them starving, because dates and water would furnish food. +And they couldn't get away without camels." + +"Sounds all right," Mr. Holton said. "Do you know where there is such +an oasis?" + +"No, but I'm sure our Tuareg friends do. I'll ask them in the morning. +Until then we'll have to keep our eyes on these Arabs. It might be +well to tie them up." + +This was thought good advice, and the captives were bound together so +tightly that they could not escape. + +The remainder of that day passed idly, and the explorers retired +shortly after the evening meal. + +"But we must be up early in the morning," Mr. Holton told them. "We +have a big day before us." + +They all slept the sleep of exhaustion and did not awaken as early as +they had intended. + +Breakfast over, Dr. Kirshner and Bob got on their camels and started +for the Tuareg village. The others put in a request to go also, but +the archæologist stoutly refused, saying that no time must be wasted. + +"We only want to make arrangements to take these Arab crooks to an +oasis and leave them," he said. "If more of you go, it will +necessarily keep us longer." + +It did not take the two long to get to the natives' village. The +chieftain at once came out to meet the newcomers, and Bob introduced +Dr. Kirshner to them. + +After a few casual remarks the scientist got to the point. He told the +natives of his desire to banish the Arabs to an oasis, if any were +near. He also asked if enough camels could be borrowed to take the +crooks there. + +The chieftain at once replied that he knew of an oasis a half-day's +journey from the village, and that he would gladly let them have the +camels. + +"Fine!" Dr. Kirshner said in the native tongue. "We'll go there at +once." + +The chieftain insisted upon leading them to the oasis, for, he said, +they could not find it alone. + +Dr. Kirshner consented, and the head native at once herded enough +camels to take the prisoners away. Then the Americans and the Tuareg +chieftain started for the explorers' camp to get the Arabs. + +"Be glad when this job's over," remarked Bob, as they rode toward +camp. "I'm anxious to see the hidden treasure." + +They arrived at camp and placed each Arab on a dromedary. After +preparing a lunch to last them until they would return, Dr. Kirshner, +Bob, and the Tuareg chieftain began the journey to the oasis, riding +behind the prisoners and guarding them closely. + +The oasis was about forty miles away, situated on a barren sand plain +surrounded by mountains. The Tuareg explained that there was no other +well near and that the prisoners would be forced to stay there for an +indefinite period, for no caravans passed along that way. + +In order to get to the place it was necessary to go through the +mountains, and traveling was not any too easy. But they rode with a +determination and finally arrived at the oasis. + +The Arabs were commanded to dismount and walk forward. Then, after +filling their canteens with water, the Americans and the Tuaregs +started the return journey, herding the dromedaries ahead of them. + +"Now that that's over, maybe we can rest easy," said Dr. Kirshner. +"Those Arabs can't get away because of not having camels, and the +monotony will punish them greatly." + +Bob, the scientist, and the Tuareg made good time that afternoon, +arriving at the explorers' camp just before sundown. The chieftain +lost no time in getting back to his village, after being thanked +warmly for his services. + +"We'll see that those Tuaregs get a reward," said Mr. Holton. "Just as +soon as we get to the hidden treasure we'll give it to them." + +The natives had not been told of the cave of riches, however, for fear +that their age-old desire to raid might get the better of them. + +Very early the next morning the explorers got their belongings placed +on the dromedaries and started out for the cave of treasure. Although +it would mean only a few hours' journey, they were extremely +impatient. + +"Wonder if those Arabs carried any of the riches away?" asked Bob, as +they rode toward the high wall of rock, in the side of which was the +cave. + +"No," Mr. Holton returned. "They hadn't started yet. Were just looking +over everything. At least that's what our guards told us. It seemed +that they intended to carry the stuff out in a day or two." + +"Wanted to catalog everything first, huh?" asked Bob. "Well, it's a +good thing we stopped them when we did." + +Fekmah found it necessary to consult his duplicate map very +frequently, and he wondered if he had remembered to put in all the +details accurately. + +Finally, after they had passed the tall wall of rock and were +following a narrow trail up the mountain on the opposite side of the +cliff, Dr. Kirshner turned to Bob. + +"You asked the other day how we were to get into the cave," he said. +"Of course it would be impossible to scale that lofty cliff. Fekmah's +map points out a narrow opening in the rock somewhere in this +vicinity, and we ought to find it in a very few minutes now." + +He had scarcely uttered the words when Fekmah cried out in delight and +pointed to a peculiar rock formation not far ahead. + +"There it is," he declared joyfully. "There is where we enter mountain +to get cave of treasure." + +The explorers, led by Fekmah, moved on up to the spot. + +"Here's an opening!" cried Joe, pointing to a small crack that was +barely large enough to let them in. + +Getting out their flashlights, they followed Fekmah through the crack +and into a narrow tunnel. The air was damp and heavy from the breath +of ages, but they trudged on through. + +After what seemed like hours, the passageway gradually became lighter, +and the explorers found themselves in a large cave. + +Suddenly Joe stumbled and fell, unable to catch himself. + +"What's this!" he mumbled. + +Then, as his light was turned to the floor, he gave an exclamation of +joy. + +"The hidden riches!" he said excitedly. "I've found them!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +Back to Civilization + + +At Joe's welcome declaration, the others ran over in a high state of +excitement. + +There, directly at their feet, was a huge chest of metal, the lid of +which was pushed back. Piled up to the top were emeralds, diamonds, +and a myriad of other precious stones. There were gold coins, rifles +of ancient design, small silver boxes, and a hundred or more other +valuable trinkets. + +For several minutes no one could speak. They were too amazed at the +value of the treasure. Finally Dr. Kirshner looked up. + +"Thousands and thousands of dollars' worth," he muttered, as though he +could hardly believe his eyes. "And it has all survived through the +ages. In addition to the gold and precious gems, those rifles and +coins will be of enormous value as relics." + +"Relics?" asked Joe. + +"Yes. They date back to the Middle Ages. You see," he went on, "the +Tuaregs have always been fond of raiding caravans and cities. Whenever +they see an opportunity to take possession of riches, they go out at +once on a raid. The treasure in this cave was undoubtedly collected +many hundreds of years ago. That is why there are guns and implements +of the seventeenth century." + +"How interesting!" exclaimed Mr. Lewis. "I suppose now you are doubly +glad we searched for this cave, because these relics will fit right in +with your work as an archæologist." + +A thorough search of the cave was made, and the explorers discovered +many other articles of great worth. + +"Now we'll carry this stuff out to the dromedaries," said Mr. Lewis. +"It isn't wise to leave it in here too long." + +They had brought several large burlap bags, and the treasure was +divided into these. There were eight of them, each filled to capacity. + +"Guess we'll have to make two trips," said Bob. "It'll be too much for +us to get it all out at once." + +"We won't mind that," smiled Mr. Lewis. "The more there is the +better." + +They carried out five of the sacks and then went back for the other +three. When finally everything had been taken from the cave, they +rested in the shade of the rocks. + +A lunch was prepared of canned food that had been taken from the +supplies. All ate heartily, their eyes remaining much of the time on +the bags of riches. + +"We may have to have more camels to get this stuff back to Wargla," +remarked Mr. Holton. "I wonder if there is a chance of buying them +from the Tuaregs?" + +"Probably is," Dr. Kirshner returned. "We'll see when we get these +riches back to camp." + +The explorers thought it best to get the bags of riches to their camp +before going to the Tuareg village for camels. Despite the fact that +the natives were friendly, they might have the desire to raid the +American expedition for their precious find. + +Camp was made several miles north of the Tuareg village. Then Bob, Dr. +Kirshner, and Joe started out to the habitation. + +"Do you think they'll let us have the camels?" Joe asked, as they +moved out of sight of their camp. + +The archæologist nodded. + +"I'm inclined to think they will," he said. "We'll pay them a good +price for the animals, in addition to rewarding them for helping get +us out of captivity." + +At last they rode into the village, to be met by the chieftain. + +Dr. Kirshner told the native that he wished several more camels, and +that he would pay a good sum for them. He finished by presenting the +man with a number of large coins, treasured so highly by Tuaregs. +These, he said, were in return for the services of him and his people +in capturing the Arabs. + +The chieftain was delighted and at once said that they could have the +camels. He walked out beyond the village to a large plain, where +several hundred _meharii_, or native dromedaries, were grazing on the +sparse vegetation. These were huge white animals, towering many inches +above the mounts of the explorers. + +The Tuareg said the Americans could have the brutes for a very nominal +sum, and Dr. Kirshner at once accepted his offer. Secretly he knew he +was getting a bargain. + +"Now to get back to camp," the scientist said, after bidding the tall +native good-bye. + +When the three Americans rode within sight of the tent, their friends +were indeed surprised at sight of the large camels. + +"You sure brought something back this time," observed Mr. Lewis. +"Never in my life have I seen camels of that size and strength." + +"Just what we need," laughed Joe. "I don't know how we could have +managed without them." + +They took it easy the remainder of that day. In the evening, Dr. +Kirshner called his friends together. + +"I make a motion that we start back to Wargla," he said. "You +naturalists have collected scores of specimens of animals, Bob and Joe +have exposed hundreds of feet of motion-picture film, and I have made +numerous archæological observations. And to cap it all, we located the +hidden treasure. If there is anything else to keep us any longer, I +don't know what it is." + +"You're right," agreed Mr. Holton. "We should be getting back home. On +the way, however, we can keep our eyes open for anything else that +might interest us." + +It was decided not to leave until after a rest of two days. The +explorers were greatly fatigued after the eventful week, and were +content to do nothing but sit idly in the tent. + +But when the morning set for their leaving arrived, they were +refreshed and ready for action. + +"We've had a big time of it here," remarked Bob. "But somehow I'm +anxious to get back home." + +After attending to last-minute preparations, the explorers got on +their dromedaries and turned the animals toward the north. + +It was slow traveling through the Ahaggars, with the numerous jagged +rocks and peaks standing in their way. They were glad indeed when +finally they reached the end of the mountain range and rode over a +rocky plain. + +"Now let's make time," said Mr. Holton. "We'll have it comparatively +easy from now on and should get to Wargla inside of a few weeks." + +"And we're likely to have many more adventures before we again see +civilization," remarked Joe. + +Notwithstanding this, the journey back to Wargla was made without +important incident, except that in a region of deep ravines Mr. +Lewis's camel missed its footing and came near plunging down a +twenty-foot crevice. + +At Wargla the explorers remained for several days, boxing and crating +their specimens and antiquities. Here Fekmah divided the treasure +among himself and his friends. They begged him to take much the +largest share, but he firmly refused. + +"If it had not been for you Americans, I would not have had any of the +hidden riches," he told them, as they sat in the station awaiting the +train to take them to the coast. + +"It was Bob who did it," said Dr. Kirshner loyally. "It was he who got +us out of captivity and brought about the success of the expedition!" + + THE END + + + + + BIBLIOGRAPHY + + + _Across the Sahara_, by Hanns Vischer--E. Arnold, London. + + _Across the Sahara by Motor Car_, by Haardt--D. Appleton Co. + + _Sands of Sahara_, by Sommerville--J. B. Lippincott. + + _Camping in the Sahara_, by Hull--Dodd, Mead & Co. + + _The Spell of Algeria and Tunisia_, by M. S. Mansfield--L. C. + Page Co. + + _Encyclopedia Britannica._ + + Wood's _Natural History_--A. L. Burt. + + _Elements of Zoölogy_, by Holder--American Book Co. (D. + Appleton.) + + _The World and Its Peoples_--The Thompson Publishing Co., St. + Louis. + + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +The four books in this series have been transcribed in the same +manner. This means that in some books, table of contents and or/list +of series names have been added. + +Except in cases of obvious typographical errors, archaic and +inconsistent spelling has been retained. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43267 *** |