“I make a motion that we start back to Wargla,” he said. “You naturalists have collected scores of specimens of animals, Bob and Joe have exposed hundreds of feet of motion-picture film, and I have made numerous archæological observations. And to cap it all, we located the hidden treasure. If there is anything else to keep us any longer, I don’t know what it is.”
“You’re right,” agreed Mr. Holton. “We should be getting back home. On the way, however, we can keep our eyes open for anything else that might interest us.”
It was decided not to leave until after a rest of two days. The explorers were greatly fatigued after the eventful week, and were content to do nothing but sit idly in the tent.
But when the morning set for their leaving arrived, they were refreshed and ready for action.
“We’ve had a big time of it here,” remarked Bob. “But somehow I’m anxious to get back home.”
After attending to last-minute preparations, the explorers got on their dromedaries and turned the animals toward the north.
It was slow traveling through the Ahaggars, with the numerous jagged rocks and peaks standing in their way. They were glad indeed when finally they reached the end of the mountain range and rode over a rocky plain.
“Now let’s make time,” said Mr. Holton. “We’ll have it comparatively easy from now on and should get to Wargla inside of a few weeks.”
“And we’re likely to have many more adventures before we again see civilization,” remarked Joe.