“And where is he now?”
“Left him last night with a caravan bound for Bagdad.”
“Thwarted again, by thunder!” cried Frank, in disgust.
CHAPTER IX.
THE OASIS IN THE DESERT.
It was broiling hot when the engine of the clouds flew over the Syrian Desert toward the Dehanah Mountains.
There was scarcely a breath of air stirring, there came a dreadful glare from the sand, and a deep silence prevailed.
Pomp sent the machine high in the sky to avoid the smothering heat radiated by the ground.
The rest were at breakfast.
Far in the distance stood an oasis in the desert.
It consisted of a few rocks around a wady, or reservoir of spring water, several gaunt palms, a little grass, and a small number of dark green bushes.