CHAPTER X.
THE PETRIFIED FOREST.
Max asserted himself so strongly in favor of Girzilla that Ibrahim refrained from approaching her, not because he had conquered the passion he felt for her, but entirely out of respect for the madcap.
Sherif el Habib treated Max as a guest, and when he told him that he was on a pilgrimage to find the promised mahdi, Max so thoroughly threw himself into the work that the Persian devotee believed more than ever in fate.
Girzilla had never been away so far, and so long as she could see Max she was satisfied.
Nothing would make the chiefs of the caravan treat her other than Max’s sister.
In this way the journey was continued into the desert of Lybia.
All had been tranquil.
No hordes of savages had disturbed the religious pilgrims, and Max began to yearn for adventure.
Nearly a month had passed, and Max was as strong as a young elephant, and as for Girzilla, nothing seemed to tire her.
One day a forest was sighted.