The adventurers stopped here and there to rest and sip a small amount of water. Then they would hike on, always on the lookout for the unusual.
They had just rounded the corner of a tall, cone-shaped peak when Joe stopped and pointed to the sand near by.
Dr. Kirshner’s jaw dropped in surprise.
“Footprints!” he cried. “Human footprints!”
He had hardly uttered the words when there came a chorus of yells from behind a large rock. A moment later ten or twelve rough-looking Arabs darted out and surrounded the Americans. The natives at once disarmed the whites by sheer force and then displayed long knives threateningly.
The Arabs chattered ominous words, which caused Dr. Kirshner to start in alarm and fear.
“We are being captured!” he exclaimed excitedly. “These Arabs are hired by the two thieves who stole Fekmah’s map!”