The Green Forest tribune., 1915-06-18
ELEVENTH !NSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XxIIl.
IN THE DESERT,


 Quest was the first the next morn no to open his eyes, to grope his vay through the tent opening and tand for a moment alone, watching he alabaster skies. He turned lag y around meaning to summon the ab who had volunteered to take Hassans place. His arms-he had cen in the act of stretching-fell to is sides. He stared at the spot there the camels had been tethered, ncredulously. There were no cam s no drivers, no Arabs. There was lot a soul nor an object in sight ex ept the stark body of Hassan, which hey had dragged half out of sight ehind a slight knoll. High up in the Ky above were two little black specks, Iheeling lower and lower. Quest hiyered as he suddenly realized that r the first time in his life he was boking upon the winged ghouls of the esert. Lower and lower they came. e turned away with a shiver.
 The professor was still sleeping |hen Quest re-entered the tent. He Joke him up and beckoned him to bme outside.
 Quest pointed to the little sandy poll with it's sparse covering of grass, eserted-with scarcely a sign, even, at it had been the resting place of little caravan. The professor gave ent to little exclamation.
 The Professor hurried off towards Re spot where the encampment had Pen made. Suddenly he stood still nd pointed with his finger. In the carer, almost crystalline light of the Pming day, they saw the track of the lmels in one long, unbroken line retehing away northwards.
 He glanced around little helpless Quest took a cigar from his case hd lit it.
 NO good worrying" Quest sighed ne question is how best to get out the mess. Whats the next move, fyway?"
 The professor glanced towards the and took a small compass from E pocket. He pointed across the des- .sr, ',
 mat exactly our route," he said ut reckon we still must be two ys from the Mongars, and how we gong to get there ourselves, much pfe get the women there, without (lneiS, don't know. There are nc FhS' and l don't believe those fel- 's nave left us single tin of wa, naufa put her head out of the tent winch the two women had slept. pay, where's breakfast?" she ex. .ned I can't smell the coffee" lney turned and approached her si 'y' The two girls, fully dressed ne out of the tent as they ap. pached.
 ioung ladies'" the professor an. pneed, I regret to say that a mis. tune has befallen us, a mis- tune which we shall be able, with. oouot' to surmount, but which will (ah day of hardship and much in. pvenience."
 "here are the camels?" Lenora ea breathlessly.
 uohe! Quest replied.
 And the Arabs?"
 "ohe with them-we are left high dry, Quest explained.
 And what is worse," the professor ,eu, With a groan, they have taken U them all our stores, our rifles and water"
 now far are we from the Mongar p Lenora asked.
 aoout a days tramp" Quest re. - quickly. We may reach there nlghtfan."
 nen let's start walking at once ted. ' e oSl patted her on the back. They
 close search of the tents, but V enat the Arabs had taken every. Ill the way of food and drink, ex.
 single half-filled tin of drink water.
 de s started bravely enough, but by a'y their little stock of water was .heir feet were sorely blistered sle complained, however, and the ssof did his best to revive their nave come farther than I had
 so nope, in the time" he an eu Fortunately, I know the direction we must take. Keep IF
 spifits' young ladies. At any time Aas see signs of our destination.