"We'll get a caretaker, and then be off on the last leg of our journey," Jack announced, as they trudged off up the incline toward where they believed they would find friendly welcome and perhaps a hot breakfast.
CHAPTER XVIII A Runaway Plane
The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.
It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way. But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow—as the four young men speedily learned.
Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist. As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention. Then Big Jack, regarding it rather curiously, called the attention of the others to it.
It was approaching with increasing speed, and as it came nearer it was apparent that it was a vast twisting, swirling cloud of dust and dirt that was being carried along in the teeth of a strong wind. It seemed to be gathering momentum every foot of the way.
When it was within a few feet of them the lads followed a natural instinct and bent their heads to avoid the full blast of the pelting sand and dirt.