It was nearly ten o’clock when they finally stopped for the night’s slumber. Fekmah was well satisfied with the distance they had made that day.
“Tomorrow we will come to Tudemait Plateau,” he said, after conversing with Tishmak. “It is a rocky region, with large black boulders.”
“Then we won’t see any more sand dunes?” asked Bob.
“No. The country will be rather level, but we will have to go many kilometers out of way to avoid rocks.”
“That’ll suit me,” put in Joe. “I’m tired of seeing nothing but sand.”
That night they trusted to good fortune and did not set a guard. Tishmak informed them that there was little danger of robbers in that region, and the alertness of the camels would be an added precaution.
“We are nearing the country of the Tuaregs,” explained Fekmah. “These natives are friendly, but drive away nomad robbers. We probably be safe tonight.”
And they were. The next morning they had completely regained their natural liveliness and pep, feeling thoroughly refreshed and ready for anything the day might bring.
Breakfast over, the long journey was resumed.
As Tishmak had predicted, the country gradually began to change. The sand dunes that had recently been high slowly became smaller and lower, and vegetation increased still more. Small rocks were everywhere, their color a dark gray or black. In the distance the sharp crags of the Tudemait Plateau could be seen.