Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-06-23
eleventh INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XIII.
IN TIE DESERT

Quest was the first the next morn
ing to open his eyes, to grope his
way through the tent opening and
stand for a moment alone, watching
the alabaster skies. He turned laz-
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 to
his sides. He stared at the spot
where 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 a slight knoll High up in the
sky above were two little black specks,
wheeling lower and lower. Quest
shivered as he suddenly realized that
for the first time in his life he was
looking upon the winged ghouls of the
desert Lover ana lower they came.
He turned awey with a SILVER.
The professor was still sleeping
when Quest re-entered the tent. He
woke him up and beckoned him to
come outside.
Quest pointed to the little sandy
knoll with its sparse covering of grass,
deserted-with scarcely a sign, even,
that it had been the resting place of
the little caravan. The professor gave
vent to little exclamation.
The Professor hurried off 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 northwards.
He glanced around a little helpless
ly. Quest took cigar from his case
and lit it.
No good worrying" Quest sighed.
1.-THE question is how best to get out
of the mess. What's the next move,
anyway"
The professor glanced towards the
son and took a small compass from
his pocket. He POINTED across the des-
ert.
That's exactly our route" he said,
"but l reckon we still must be two
days from the Mongars, ard how we
are going to get there ourselves, much
more get the women there, without
camels, don't know. There are no
wells, and l don't believe those fell
lows have left US a 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. 81 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
nounced, Il regret to say that mis-
fortune has befallen us. a mis-
fortune which we shall be able, with
out doubt, to surmount, but which will
mean a day of hardship and much in
Where are the camels?" Lenora
asked breathlessly.
Comet" Quest replied.
"And the Arabs?"
"Gone with them-we are left high
and dry" Quest explained.
And what Is worse" the professor
added, with a groan, they have taken
with them all our stores, our rifles and
our water"
How far are we from the Mongar
camp?' Lenora asked.
About a days tramp" Quest re-
piled quickly. I'VE may reach there
by nightfalI"
'Then let's start walking at once,
before it gets any hotter" Lenora sug-
gested.
Quest patted her on the back. They
made close search of the tents. but
found that the Arabs had taken every
thing in the way of food and drink, ex-
cept single half-flled tin of drink
ing water.
They started bravely enough, but by
midday their little stock of water was
gone, their feet were sorely blistered.
No one complained, however, and the
professor did his best to revive their
spirits.
I'VE have come farther than / had
dared to hope, in the time" he an
bounced. Fortunately, know the |
exact direction we must take. Keep up
FOUR spirits, young ladies. At any time |
we may see signs of our destination"