“I’m inclined to think they will,” he said. “We’ll pay them a good price for the animals, in addition to rewarding them for helping get us out of captivity.”
At last they rode into the village, to be met by the chieftain.
Dr. Kirshner told the native that he wished several more camels, and that he would pay a good sum for them. He finished by presenting the man with a number of large coins, treasured so highly by Tuaregs. These, he said, were in return for the services of him and his people in capturing the Arabs.
The chieftain was delighted and at once said that they could have the camels. He walked out beyond the village to a large plain, where several hundred meharii, or native dromedaries, were grazing on the sparse vegetation. These were huge white animals, towering many inches above the mounts of the explorers.
The Tuareg said the Americans could have the brutes for a very nominal sum, and Dr. Kirshner at once accepted his offer. Secretly he knew he was getting a bargain.
“Now to get back to camp,” the scientist said, after bidding the tall native good-bye.
When the three Americans rode within sight of the tent, their friends were indeed surprised at sight of the large camels.
“You sure brought something back this time,” observed Mr. Lewis. “Never in my life have I seen camels of that size and strength.”
“Just what we need,” laughed Joe. “I don’t know how we could have managed without them.”
They took it easy the remainder of that day. In the evening, Dr. Kirshner called his friends together.