Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-09-09
ELEVENTH lNSTALlMENT
CHAPTER XIII.
IN THE DESERT.


Quest was the first the next morn
ing to open his eyes. TO grope his
way through the tent opening and
stand for = moment alone. watching
the alabaster skies. He turned lag
lily around. meaning TO summon the
Arab who had volunteered to take
Hassan,s place. His arms-he had
been in the act OF stretching-fell TO
his sides. He stared At the spot
whore the camels had been tethered,
incredulously. There were no cam
els. no drivers. no Arabs. There WAS
not = soul nor an object In sight ex-
cept the stark body OF Hassan. which
they had dragged half out OF sight
behind . slight knoll. High up In the
SKY above were two little black specks,
wheeling lower and lower. Quest
shfvered as he suddenly realized that
Tor tho -nrst time In his life he WAS
looking upon the winged ghouls OF the
desert. Lower and lower they came.
He turned away with 4 shiver.
The professor was still sleeping
whom Quest re-entered the tent. He
woke him up and beckoned him to
come outside.
Quest pointed to the little sandy
knoll withits sparse covering OF grass,
deserted-vith scarcely q sign, even.
that 1t had been the resting place Of
the little caravan. The professor gave
vent 70 .. little exclamation.
The Professor hurried on towards
the spot where the -sncampment had
been made. Suddenly he stood still
and pointed with his finger In the
clearer. almost crystalline light of the
coming day. they saw tho track of the
esmeis in ono long. unbroken line
stretching away northvards.
He glanced around = little helpless
~. Quest took cigar from his case
and lit it.
mo good worrying" Quest sighed.
The question IL how best to get out
Of the mess. Whats the next move,
anyway"
The professor glanced, towards the
son and took = small compass from
his pocket He pointed across the des-
ert.
That's exactly our route" he said.
but ! reckon We still must be TWO
days from the Mongars. and how we
are going to get there ourselves, much
nors get the women there. without
camels. l don't know. There are no
wells. and ! don't believe those fell
lows have left US . single tin OF wa
ter"
Laura put her head out of the tent
In which the two women had slept.
Say. where's breakfast" she ex-
claimed. Il can't smell the coffee"
They turned and approached her ST.
lently. The two girls. fully dressed.
came out OF the tent as they ap-
preached.
Young ladies'" the professor an
pauAced. Il regret to say that 4 mis-
fortune has befallen US. mis-.
fortune which we shall be able. with
out doubt. to surmount, but which Will
moan = day of hardship and much In
convenience"
Where are the camels?" Lenors
asked breathlessly.
"Gone!" Quest replied.
And the Arabs"
Gone with them-we are left high
and dry" Quest explained.
And what Is worse" the professor
addsd. with = grosn. they have taken
with them all our stores. our rides and
our water"
How far are we from the Mongar
camp" Lenora asked.
About = days tramp" Quest re-
piled quickly. I'VE may reach there
by nightfall."
Then let's start walking at once.
bsfors it gets any hotter" Lenora sug-
sested.
Quest patted her on the back. They
made 4 close search Of the tents. but
found that the Arabs had taken every
thing IN the way of food and drink. ex-
capt n single half-finsd tin of drink
ing water.
They started bravely enough. but by
midday their little stock of water was
gone, their feet were sorely blistsred.
No one. complained however. and the
professor did his best to revive their
spirits.
I'VE have come farther than had
dared to hops. in the time" he an
nouncsA. Fortunately. ! know the
exact direction We must take. Keep up
your spirits. young ladies. At any time
~ may see signs ct cur destination"
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