Captured by the Arabs. Foster James H.
he was sorry he had not taken part in it.
“And that is the second time Bob brought in criminals,” said Mr. Lewis, recalling an incident that happened the summer before.
“I’d rather you wouldn’t take such risks, though,” urged Mr. Holton. “If one taxes good fortune too much, he is sure to come to a tragic end some time.”
There was a short silence. Then Joe ventured to touch upon the matter that concerned them before the abrupt interruption of a short time ago.
“What will be our next move?” he inquired.
“Hmm,” hesitated Dr. Kirshner, “that is hard to say at present. I suppose, though, that the logical thing to do is wait and take a train to Wargla as soon as possible. When the track will be cleared is hard to say. It might be a day, or it might be several. I can see no other way of getting to Wargla, can you, Fekmah?”
“No,” replied the Arab. “Of course there are good roads part of way, and might ride automobile some of way, but train could get there sooner, even if we wait.”
“I guess you’re right,” agreed Joe, thoughtfully. “There’s no use wasting time trying to do a thing that can’t be done. Have you made inquiries as to about when we can expect the train to be ready?”
“Yes,” answered Dr. Kirshner. “The station agent said inside of two days, but it probably won’t be that soon.”
“Let’s hope it will,” said Bob. “I’m anxious to get started into the desert. How long will it probably be before we reach our destination, once we get started on camelback?”
“That all depends,” replied the archæologist. “If we see fit to use dromedaries, or the one-hump camel, we will make much better time. They can travel from ninety to a hundred miles a day with ease, and if forced, can do much better than that.”
“But the jolting is most uncomfortable,” Mr. Lewis reminded him, and Fekmah nodded.
“Soon get used to it, though, don’t you?” asked Joe.
Fekmah laughed.
“No, never,” he said. “But not feel it so bad after many days of riding.”
“But getting back to your question,” resumed the archæologist, speaking to Joe, “if we have good luck we should cover the thousand miles to the Ahaggar Mountains inside of two weeks, considering, of course, stops at oases, small towns, and the like. Then how soon we can find the hidden riches would be a mere guess, because without the map Fekmah will probably have much more difficulty in recognizing various landmarks.”
“But you must remember that our main object was to work for the good of science,” Bob’s father said. “Mr. Lewis and I were to get specimens of any animal life that exists in the far reaches of the desert, and you were to look up the remains of ancient civilizations. Incidentally, though, we’ll search for the hidden riches.”
“And Joe and I were to take motion pictures when we get started on camelback,” said Bob proudly.
“Speaking of animal life,” began Mr. Lewis, “suppose in the morning we get out in the open country and see if we can collect any specimens. From what I’ve read and heard, I guess it is necessary to go at least as far as Arba before we would find a region that is worth hunting in.”
“I’m with you,” said Mr. Holton. “We’ll engage an automobile to take us the fourteen miles or so to Arba, and then foot it from there. It will be funny if we can’t bag a few worth-while specimens, at least.”
“Of course Joe and I can go, can’t we?” grinned Bob.
“You bet. And Dr. Kirshner and Fekmah, if they care to.”
But those persons announced that they would remain in Algiers and further discuss the coming expedition.
“Then too,” the archæologist remarked, “I’d like to keep posted on the progress made in getting the train ready for the journey to Wargla.”
It was well past noon, and the explorers now realized for the first time that they were extremely hungry. The strain of the eventful morning had stimulated their appetites to a high degree, and they felt they could devour almost anything in the way of food.
“Lead me to the café and watch what happens,” said Joe, making for the door.
The others followed, and although not as emotional they were no less hungry.
The meal tasted good, despite the fact that they were ignorant of its composition. Fekmah tried to explain one of the dishes, but the foodstuffs used in its preparation were unknown to the Americans, and they were as much in the dark after he had finished the explanation as before he had begun it.
“We’ll trust there isn’t anything repulsive in its make-up,” smiled Mr. Holton.
“At any rate the taste isn’t so bad,” came from Bob. “I’ve seen stuff much worse.”
“Referring to the delicacies of the South American Indians, I suppose,” laughed Mr. Lewis, and the boys nodded.
“We were forced to eat almost anything for a while,” reflected Joe. “Getting lost in the Brazilian jungle was a serious thing, and we realized it. Then when we got in with those savages, we accepted their offer of food at once, even though we weren’t sure it was all right.”
“That was a great adventure, boys,” remarked Mr. Holton, his thoughts going back to the countless days of river traveling in unknown South America. “The more I think of it the more convinced I am that we should be extremely proud of that exploit. Mr. Lewis and I have had many adventures in unknown lands while collecting specimens for the museum, but none surpasses that one.”
“I’d like to go there some time,” said Dr. Kirshner. “But so far, my work as an archæologist has not called me into that region. When it will, if ever, I do not know.”
After the bountiful meal the explorers took it easy in the hotel, and Fekmah returned to his room.
“Since we haven’t anything in particular to do, we might as well rest up for the hunting trip tomorrow,” said Mr. Lewis, as he and the others sat in the lobby of their hotel. “We’ve had a hard day of it and deserve to be idle for a while.”
The others agreed, and the remainder of the day was spent in quiet.
But early the next morning the boys and their fathers were busily preparing for the hunting expedition. By seven o’clock they had their rifles and other necessities in readiness, and with a farewell to Dr. Kirshner, who wished to talk over the Sahara journey with Fekmah, they left the hotel.
Mr. Lewis had earlier made arrangements for a car to take them to Arba, whence they would go on foot into the forests and desert. The automobile was parked in a small garage not far away, and they reached the place in but a few minutes. It was a low, dirty structure, with few windows.
A swarthy native came out to meet them and at once recognized Mr. Lewis. He led the way through a small door and into a room that served as the garage.
“Here we are,” said Joe’s father, as they rounded a corner.
He pointed to something that at once caused Bob and Joe to burst out with laughter.
CHAPTER VI
Through Unknown Forests
“THAT a car – an automobile?” asked Bob, holding back his laughter.
“You don’t mean to say that thing will take us fourteen miles!” cried Joe, no less moved than his chum.
The naturalists smiled. They had apparently not expected this.
“It’s about the best we can do here,” confessed Mr. Lewis. “Of course there are better automobiles, but none of them seems to be for hire. You see, this drive-yourself idea doesn’t appear to be very popular here. I suppose it’s because there is so much danger of being attacked by bands of nomads who would think nothing of robbing the occupants and stealing the car. But this car,