“All right,” said Dr. Kirshner. “Have him lead us to them now, so that we can practise riding.”
Fekmah again turned to the man, who a moment later nodded and motioned for them to follow him.
Ten minutes later, after having wound through many narrow streets, the explorers found themselves in a large open field at the edge of the town. About them were grazing a hundred or more camels.
“Here we are,” declared Fekmah, his eyes on the idle beasts.
Tishmak had a moment before left for the house. Now he returned with a thin, lithe Arab, who was evidently the owner of the camels.
A short conference between Fekmah and the stranger took place. Then Fekmah turned to the Americans.
“We can have the dromedaries,” he said. “And he is asking only a fair amount. Come and I will pick them out.”
The others followed him over the field, where he singled out twenty of the best-looking beasts.
“Now,” said Mr. Holton, “we want to practise riding before we start on the real journey. Perhaps we’d better do that this afternoon. Then we can load up in the evening and get started in the morning.”
Fekmah nodded.