I yelled jests and scoffs at themfor abandoning a
friend in the desert.
We had no medicines for mange and could do little
for it in spite ofour need.
It seemed absurd that I should peril my weight in
theArab adventure for a single worthless man. We were glad to see them avoid us so
thoroughly. Nothing in the march was normal or reassuring. Not four miles had passed
when again I saw a black bubble, lunging andswaying in the mirage
ahead.
Audasanxiety passed and his eagerness
kindled.
The hunters returned before noon, each with a good
gazelle. Aha, said Zeki,it has given me a full idea.
Here the country looked more green,and we asked
Auda to fetch us game. Aha, said Zeki,it has given me a full idea.
Then we were impatient of waiting longer. A
deserted camp with empty sardine tins gaveproof of Newcombe and Hornby. It was
determined that Auda himself shouldride to Nuri on embassy, because they were
friends.
At dawn we saddled up for the short stage to Diraa,
the water pools ofwhich Sharraf had told us. We checked the men at the bottom of
their narrow sand-fold, whilst westudied the railway.
The better jointswere tied upon the baggage camels
for the next halt, and our marchcontinued. After dark we crawled for three hours,
reaching the top of a sand-ridge.
Besides Gasim was my man: and upon me lay the
responsibilityof him.
This wasthe business, and we laded six bags of gold
into Audas saddle-bags,and off he went. At the height of noon we reached the well of
our desire. As we went, some little puffs of dust scurried into the eye of thewind.