Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-07-08
ELEVENTH lNsTALLMENT
CHAPTER XIII.
IN TIE DESERT.

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IN THE DESERT.
Quest was the first the next morn
hg to open his eyes, to gropo his
way through tho tent opening and
stand for moment alone, watching
the alabaster skies. He turned Lag
ny around. meaning to summon the
Arab who had volunteered to take
Hassan's place. His arms--he had
beon In the act of stretching fell to
his sides. He stared at the spot
whore the camels had been tethered.
lncreduiously. There were no cam
sls. no drivers. no Arabs. There was
not soul nor an object In sight ex-
cspt the stark body OF Hassan. which
they had dragged half out OF sight
behind q slight knoll. High up In the
sky above were two little black specks.
wheeling lower and lower. Quest
shiyered as he suddenly realized that
Tor the first time In his life he was
hooking upon tho winged ghouls OF tbs
desert. Lower and lower they came.
Ils turned away with shiver.
The professor was still sleeping
whom Quest re-entered the tent. He
woke him up and beckoned him to
come outside.
Guest pointed to the little sandy
knoll with It's sparse covering OF grass.
Aeserted---with scarcely q sign. even.
that 1t had been tho resting place OF
The little caravan. The professor gave
want to . little exclamation.
The Professor hurried OF towards
the spot where the encampment had
been made. Suddenly he stood still
and pointed with HIS finger. In the
clearer almost crystalline light Of the
coming day. they saw the track OF the
camels In one long, unbroken line
stretching away northwarda.
He glanced around little helpless
". Guest took cigar from his case
and lit It.
mo good worryinH," Quest sighed,
The question Ia how best to get out
81 tho mess What's the next move.
anyway"
The professor glanced towards the
son and took small compass from
Ills pocket, He pointed across the des.
ert.
That's exactly our route" he said.
sbut reckon we still must be two
days from the Mongars. and how we
are going to get there ourselves. much
more set the women there. without
camels, | 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 si.
lently, The two girls. fully dressed.
came out OF the tent as they ap.
preached.
Young ladies'" the professor an.
acunced, Il regret to say that mis-.
fortune has hefalien us. q mis-.
fortune which we shall be able. with
nut doubt. to surmount. but which will
mean day OF hardship and much In
convenience"
Where are the camelss. Lenora
asked breathiessly.
.1cne!s Quest replied.
~And the Arahsg''
"Gone with them--we are left high
md dry Quest explained.
"And what Ia worse tho professor
added. with groan. they have taken
with them all our stores, our rifles and
sur water.
.How far are we from the Mongar
nAmpf" Lenora asked.
about d days tramp" Quest re.
Dlied quickly. I'VE may reach there
~ nightfalln
''Then lets start walking at once,
Aefore Il gets any hotter" Lenora sug'
easted.
Quest patted her on the back. They
nads close search Of the tents. but
1uund that the Arabs had taken every
thing In tho way OF food and drink. ex.
ospt single half-tllled tin Of drink.
nc water.
They started bravely enough, but BY
midday their little stock OF water was
gone. their feet were sorely hlistered.
No one complained. however, and the
Drofsssor did his best to revive their
aplrits.
We have come farther than had
Aarsd to hope. In the time." he an
A0nneed. Fortunately. know the
enact direction We must take. Keep up
y0sr spirits. young ladies. At any time
10 may 80 signs Of our destination