“We won’t have so very much time left,” he said. “And we’d like to get several more specimens.”
A little later they came to a narrow valley between two high mountains. A tiny spring trickled from beside a large rock, and they welcomed the taste of the refreshing liquid. It was quite cold, showing that it probably came from an underground stream.
“Drink all you want,” said Mr. Lewis. “It’s likely the last water we’ll see till we get back to Arba.”
All the remainder of that afternoon the explorers trudged on, bringing down several small animals and birds. None of them happened to be dangerous, however.
The hunters had described a wide circle that took them by sundown within a mile or two from Arba, and the accuracy of the naturalists’ calculations was greatly appreciated, for they were very tired and did not feel that they would care to have to hike a great distance to get to the automobile.
“Wonder if the old car’s still there,” mused Bob, as they came to the limits of Arba.
“Don’t know why it shouldn’t be,” returned his chum. “Nobody’d want it for anything.”
It required but a short time to reach the main part of the town. Then they turned off on the street where the car was parked.
“It’s there!” cried Joe, making out its ancient shape in the distance.
The others shared in his enthusiasm. They had had an uneasy feeling about its safety all day, despite the fact that the ignition had been locked.