CHAPTER XXIII
Met by Enemies
Down a little valley between two high mountains rode four explorers,their eager eyes penetrating every crevice and notch in themountainous country about them. High-power binoculars were turned uponevery level stretch, rifles were fired at regular intervals, voiceswere brought to new swells. It was a search that under ordinarycircumstances would have brought Dr. Kirshner and Joe back in a veryshort time.
Finally, after the searchers had been out several hours and darknesswas beginning to fall, Mr. Lewis stopped and buried his face in hishands. He realized that defeat was staring them in the face.
"Guess they're really lost," sighed Bob Holton, his face extremelysober.
"Or else something has happened to them," added Fekmah in a voice thathe tried to keep steady.
Mr. Lewis said nothing, but he feared all too much that the Arab wasright. And yet, he reasoned, they were likely to be very careful andnot take chances. Still that would not prevent nature or wild tribesfrom harming them.
Mr. Holton, however, was very optimistic. He believed that, despitethe length of their stay, the two were safe. Perhaps they had fallenasleep from exhaustion or had wandered farther away than they hadintended and were forced to spend the night in the mountains.
Tishmak had been left at the camp, as it was thought best to havesomeone there in case the archaeologist and Joe should return while thesearchers were gone.
"We're a long distance from camp," said Mr. Lewis, as the searcherssat on their camels at the brink of a deep gully. "Shall we try to getback tonight?"
"I'm in favor of it," returned Mr. Holton impatiently. "Of course weleft word with Tishmak that we might spend the night away, but he maybe greatly worried. Then, too, he might not be safe there alone."
The others thought this good advice, and turned the dromedaries backup the lane. They could possibly get half of the way there before thedarkness would halt them. Then the moon would probably furnishsufficient light to continue.
"Here's hoping they will be at camp when we get there," said Bob.
But Tishmak was the only one who greeted them when finally they rodewearily up to the tent.
The guide had fully expected to see the lost ones return with theothers, and his face wore an anxious look when he saw that theirsearch had been in vain.
Fekmah immediately related their past experiences, concluding byasking what Tishmak thought had happened to them.
The guide replied that, as Mr. Holton had said, perhaps they hadwandered farther away than they had intended and were forced to spendthe night away. Of course, he went on, tragedy might have come uponthem, but he doubted this very much. The Tuaregs who inhabited thisregion were friendly to strangers, showing excellent hospitality. Andboth Dr. Kirshner and Joe he considered able to take care ofthemselves. He finished by saying that, through his guiding numerousexpeditions into the Sahara, he believed himself capable of judging atrue explorer.
When Fekmah translated this to the Americans, they were much relieved.Especially was Mr. Lewis hopeful. He had confidence in Joe andbelieved him equal to taking care of many tight situations.
Notwithstanding this, there was little sleep for any of them thatnight. When at last the sun began to peep through the distantmountains they were up ready for action.
"We've got to find them today," said Bob, gritting his teeth.
"We will, if they are anywhere around here," Mr. Lewis added. "Let'shurry and have breakfast."
As soon as the meal was over, they again started out on the search,this time taking Tishmak and leaving Fekmah. The latter thought thisthe best procedure, as the guide could render more assistance insearching the mountains.
Taking the opposite direction from the one they followed the daybefore, the explorers rode off, bidding warm farewells to Fekmah.
For several miles they rode over the smooth surface of a dry riverbed. Then they turned and followed a path around a small mountain.
"Wonder how this path got here?" said Joe, as they plodded up thehill.
"Wasn't made by nature," concluded Mr. Holton, observing theregularity that was persistent with every step.
He resolved to use his limited knowledge of the native language andinquired of Tishmak, for surely the guide would know.
When finally the latter understood, he replied that the lane had beenmade by Tuaregs who inhabited this region. Perhaps the path wouldlead them to a village.
But the searchers trudged on around the hill without seeing any signsof natives. However, they finally broke away from the narrow way andemerged on level country.
They were now on a high plateau, with towering peaks on all sides ofthem. As far as the explorers could see, there were no breaks orravines anywhere about.
Rifles were discharged at intervals, and hoarse shouts often rent theair. At every few steps the searchers stopped to look about, almostexpecting eventually to find the lost ones nearer than they thought.
Once Bob thought he heard footsteps, but several minutes of listeningconvinced them that no one was about. Perhaps it had been hisimagination.
"Sounded like someone was coming toward us," the youth said. "But Iguess I just thought so."
"We'll have to keep our ears and eyes wide open," Mr. Lewis remindedthem. "If Joe and Dr. Kirshner are anywhere around here, it might bepossible to hear them."
"Isn't likely that they fell into the hands of Tuareg raiders, is it?"asked Mr. Holton.
"Tishmak said not," Joe's father returned. "He thinks that theTuaregs around here are friendly and peaceful."
A little farther on they passed several large slabs of rock that werecovered with ancient inscriptions and drawings. Dr. Kirshner wouldsurely throw a fit of delight if he could see them. But, thought Bob,perhaps he had already come to them and was searching for more, quiteforgetful of the necessity to get back to camp. But no, this could notbe, for Joe would realize that necessity if the scientist did not.
At noon they stopped for lunch under a large crag that resembled aninverted hook. There was plenty of water in their containers, givingeach the opportunity to satisfy his thirst.
There was not much conversation during that rest, for they were allbusy with their thoughts. And those thoughts were anything butcheerful. But they refused to give up hope so soon, for anotherhalf-hour might see the two lost ones back with their friends.
Scarcely ten minutes were spent in the shade of the rock. Even thenMr. Lewis felt that that time had been wasted.
"Something might have happened to them during that time," he said,greatly worried.
Mr. Holton laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Snap out of it, Ben, old man," he begged. "I'm willing to bet thatthey are safe and well. And I firmly believe we will find them beforeanother day will pass."
Mr. Lewis did resolve to cheer up and be hopeful; but still hepossessed a haunting fear that perhaps tragedy had come upon them.
The sun blazed very hot that afternoon, scorching the already bakedsoil. This did not hinder the progress of the searchers, however, whotrudged constantly on.
Suddenly, as they passed over a wide valley strewn with rocks anddotted with cracks and ravines, Bob stopped and looked aboutexpectantly. The others had also caught a sound.
The next moment the explorers were seized with fear, for ten or twelveevil-looking Arabs darted out on dromedaries and rushed toward theexplorers.
"What's this!" cried Mr. Holton, as one of the men caught hold of hiscamel.
There was no chance to use their guns. The Arabs were on the lookoutfor any treachery.
Suddenly Bob saw a chance and, drawing the reins of his dromedary, hedashed away at full speed for a short canyon between the rocks.