The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-05-15
IN THE DESERT
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.
Quest was tho nrst the next rorning to open his
eyes. to grope his way through the tent opening
and stand for a moment alone, watching the ala
baster skies. He turned lazily around, meaning
to summon the Arab who had volunteered
to take Hassans place. His arms-he had
been In the act of stre.ching-feN to his sides
He stared at the spot where the ca1nes had been
tethered. incredulously. There camels
no drivers, Arabs There not soul
an object in sight except the stark body Of Has
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 he suddenly realized
that for the first time in his life he looking
upon the winged ghcUls Of the desert. Lower and
lower they lie turned away with shiver.
The professor still sleeping when Quest
entered the tent. lie 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.
Our guides!" he demanded And the camels!
What has become Of them?"
The professor hurried on 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 the track OF the camels in long,
broken line stretching away northwards
He glanced around little helplessly. Quest
took cigar from his case and lit It.
mo good Worrying" Quest sighed. THE ques-
ton is how best to get out OF the mess. What's
the next move, anyway"
The professor glanced towards the and took
a small compass from his pocket He pointed
the desert.
That's exactly route" he said, "Dut reckon
still must be two days from the Mongars, and
how going to get there ourselves, much
get the women there, without came!s, don't
know. There are no wells, and I don't believe
those fellows have left single tin Of water"
Laura put her head out Of the tent in which the
two women had slept
Say, where's BREAKFAST" she exclaimed. Il
can't smell the Coffee
They turned and approached her silently. The
two girls. fully dressed, came out OF the tent as
they approached.
gret 70 say that misfortune has bcfallcn us, a
misfortune which shall be able, without
doubt. to surmount, but which will mean a day of
hardship and much Inconvenience"
Where the camels?" Lenora asked breath
leesly.
"Gone!" Quest replied.
And the Arabs?"
Conc with them-we are LETT high and dry"
Quest explained
And what is worse" The professor added with
groan, they have taken with them all our stores
rifles and water
How far from the Mongar camp" L.
asked
About days tramp" Quest replied, quickly.
We may reach there by nightfall."
Then let's start walking at once, before 1t gets
any hotter" Lcnora suggested.
Quest patted her the back They made close
search Of tho tents. but found that the Arabs had
taken everything in the way Of food and drink
except single halffllcd tin Of drinking water
They started bravely enough but by midday
their little stock Of water was gone and their feet
sorely blistered No complained, how
ever. and the professor especially did his best to
revive their spirits.
I'VE have farther than I had dared to
hope, in the time he announced. fortunately,
I know the exact direction must take. Keep
up your spirits, young ladies. At any time We
may signs Of our destination
They struggled more. Night and
brought with 1t half-soot.ing, balftorturiag cool
That vain etraiang Of tho eyes upoa the
horizon at any ratio spared to them. They
slept In fashion but after dawl they W. ~
their feet again Suddenly Quest, WHO .ad
gone little oct Of his way mount & raago
OF E.: d-hills, waved MS arm furiousiy He
IVES holding his neldglasscs to his eyes It v as
wonderful how that ray OF hopo ira 1s:orrced
thcl They hurried tc where he ]Io oas,~ I
the s.. SEES 70 the professor
"a caravan" he exclaimed. Il can see O. ca =
els, and horoas!"
Tho professor almost snatched the glss.es.
IT is cutie true" he agreed 1T is caravan
crossing at right angles to cur direction. Come!
They will before io1g"
Presently thrcc four ho.senen detached
themselves from the main body and gallop-
ing towards them. The eyes OF tho ltt:A rarity
xlistencd they that the foremost had q
watcrbottlc slung around his neck Tic Calls
daehing ~, waving h,s
You lost people," be asked. Want wat -"
They almost snatcaed the bottle fror, h;a. It
was like pouring life into their veins They AL. at
tho professors ins:gstion dran. cparinx:v Quest,
with q great sigh Of relief, lit cigar
I "Somc adventure. this!' he declare.
Tho professor. who had been talking to the