He was Murdock!
For safety against the natives he had put on this disguise when he started to cross the desert with his six paid servants.
It now stood him in good stead.
Ignorant of the deception that had been practiced upon them the crew of the air engine arose to a height of 430 feet and the coon sent the machine ahead.
Frank watched the people in the oasis with a glass, and as they vanished astern in the distance he said:
“I was almost sure Murdock was among them. However, we must look further. It was disappointing.”
“Gwine straight ahead ter Bagdad?” asked Pomp.
“Yes. We can run across him long before he reaches there. The caravans travel very slowly, going at a walk, while we can get along at the rate of a mile a minute.”
Barney was now posted on watch.
The rest of the journey was finished by the afternoon, but not another caravan was seen.