The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1915-10-01
eleventh INSTALLMENT
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 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-fell to
his sides. He stared at the spot
where the camels had been tethered,
1ncredulously. 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. Lower and lower they came.
Re turned away with a shiver.
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 sign, even,
that it had been the resting place of
the little caravan The professor gave
vent to q little exclamation.
The Professor hurried off towards
the spot where the encampment had
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.
mo good worrying" Quest sighed.
'"rhe question is how best to get out
of the mess. What's 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 l reckon we still must be two
days from the Mongars, and how we
are going to get there ourselves, much
more get the women there, without
camels, I 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 breakfasts" she ex-
claimed. II can't smell the coffee"
They turned and approached her ST.
1ently. The two girls, fully dressed,
came out of the tent as they ap-
preached.
Young ladies'" the professor an
bounced, 81 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
Eoean a day of hardship and much in
convenience"
Where are the camels?" Lenora
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
added, with groan, "they have taken
with them all our stores, our rifles and
oar water"
"FJow far ara we from the Mongar
cSmp?" Lenora asked.
About a days tramp Quest re-
piled quickly. 1--WE may reach there
by nightfall"
Then let's start walking at once,
bsfore it gets any hotter" Lenora sug-
gssted.
Quest patted her on the back. They
made close search of the tents. but
found that tho Arabs had taken every
thing In the way Of food and drink, ex-
ccpt a single half-f1lled 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.
1--WE have come farther than had
dared to hope, In the time" he an
bounced. Fortunately, i know the
exact direction we must take. Keep up
your spirits. young ladies. At any time
we NAV see signs Of our destination.