As the explorers neared a low long mound, Tishmak’s dromedary suddenly halted and sniffed nervously. A moment later the animals of the other explorers also came to a stop.
“What’s this!” exclaimed Mr. Lewis, looking about wonderingly.
“Guess they heard something,” said Dr. Kirshner. “What it was, we’ll see in a moment. They have an uncanny power of detecting noises that we men can’t catch.”
Tishmak unstrapped his rifle and motioned for the others to do likewise.
“Wonder if it’s bandits,” muttered Joe, holding his gun in readiness.
The sound of camels’ footsteps now reached the adventurers’ ears. Then from behind a hill appeared a long trading caravan of Arabs, who also had their rifles in readiness.
Tishmak rushed forward, throwing his hands apart in a gesture of friendliness. He was followed by Fekmah and the others.
As soon as the Arabs saw that the whites meant no harm, they stopped and talked freely. Much to Dr. Kirshner’s delight, he could understand the men easily, their language differing greatly from that of Tishmak.
The Americans learned that the caravan was on its way to Wargla, loaded with a large supply of dried dates, grapes, and many other products of the desert oases. It was made up of over seven hundred camels, which were in a line several miles long.
“Look at the leader,” said Joe to his chum, referring to the head camel. “It’s decorated with about as many colors as there are.”