“Some nuts.”
“What kind of nuts?”
“Koola nuts, which I found in Bakalailand, far to the south. The natives down there eat this nut when they cannot obtain food, and it keeps up their strength and preserves them from hunger for many days. It is a wonderful little nut, but it is dangerous.”
“Haow’s that?” asked Ephraim.
“It is a very easy thing to fall into the habit of eating it to obtain relief from over-exertion, and this habit fastens itself on a person like drinking or smoking. It shows no ill result at first, but it is ruinous to one who persists in its use. It will make such a person a tottering wreck, like a victim of the morphine habit. Like all good things, the koola nut may be used to excess. In the United States several concerns advertise decoctions made from the koola nut, recommending them to athletes, bicyclists and all who exert themselves in sports and pastimes. College lads are taking to its use, in case they play football, baseball or anything of the sort. Some of them will become addicted to the habit, and it may ruin them. Bicyclists have found it refreshing and invigorating after a long run, and they are becoming victims of the habit. Hundreds, yes thousands, will be weakened and broken down by it. It is——”
“Hold on, Frank,” cried Ephraim. “Jest let the kooly nut rest a while, an’ see what you make uv this.”
He pointed across the plain to where a tiny cloud of dust could be seen. In the midst of the dust was a moving mass that became more and more distinct with each passing moment.
“Horsemen,” said Frank Merriwell, grimly. “Look to your weapons, Ephraim. We may have trouble.”
Professor Scotch’s teeth chattered.
“We are all done for!” he groaned. “This is the end of this foolish expedition. I knew how it would come.”