CHAPTER XXVII
The Hidden Treasure
Bob looked at his father in surprise.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Simply that no one is there to drive away now," was the reply. "Wehave captured all of the Arabs--even the two thieves who stoleFekmah's map. And I might add that we have located the hiddentreasure."
"What! You've been there?"
"No, but we've seen the cave in which it is. In fact, it is possibleto see it from here."
Mr. Holton took out his binoculars and handed them to his son.
"Look away over there," the naturalist said, pointing to a distantwall of rock that was many hundred feet high. "That small shelf on theside of the cliff is an opening into the cave in which are the hiddenriches."
Bob scanned the landscape ahead. Then he cried out in surprise andamazement.
"A cave away up in that cliff? Seems impossible. How can you get toit?"
"Must be an entrance on the other side," Dr. Kirshner replied."Fekmah's map no doubt points it out. Whether he remembered to put iton the duplicate after the original was stolen, we have yet to see.Where is he now?"
"Who, Fekmah? I left him at camp this morning."
"Let's go there now."
First, however, Dr. Kirshner engaged in conversation with the Tuaregsin their own language. He told them, among other things, of howgrateful he and the other former prisoners were for their help inreleasing them from the clutches of the Arabs.
The natives were very courteous and friendly, inviting thearchaeologist to their village. He returned that he would be delightedto visit them, and concluded by saying that they would be given areward for their generous services.
"Now let's get out of here," he said, turning to his friends. "I'mparticularly anxious to get back to camp and see Fekmah. I wonder ifany misfortune could have come upon him and our camels."
The Americans, Tuaregs, and Arab captives left the cave behind andtrudged down the mountainside. But before they did so, they carriedout the food supply that had been in the cave for the prisoners andtheir guards. It consisted of simple native food, but was welcomed bythe Americans and Tishmak.
"There is much more in the cave where the hidden treasure is,"remarked Joe, as he walked beside his chum, who was leading his camel."We won't need to worry about not having enough to eat for manyweeks."
"Doubt if we'll stay here that much longer," Bob said. "But I imagineit'll come in handy all right."
The Arabs were ordered to walk in front of the Americans and Tishmak.The Tuaregs rode on to their village, after asking their newly madefriends to visit them the next morning.
It required several hours for the explorers and their captives to getback to camp, going on foot as they did. But when they finally camewithin sight of the tent and camels, all gave sighs of relief.
Fekmah came running out to meet them, his face showing an intensethankfulness at again seeing his American friends and Tishmak aliveand apparently none the worse for their experience.
"So Bob got you from Arab demons," he muttered and then added: "I knewhe would do it."
Nothing would satisfy him but a complete detailed account of theirexperiences, and it was Mr. Lewis who related all of the happeningssince they had last left camp.
"Howard [Mr. Holton] and Tishmak and I were sure greatly relieved whenour captors took us to the cave where Joe and Dr. Kirshner were beingheld," Mr. Lewis finished. "Funny, but we had not dreamed of thembeing prisoners."
"And I see you've brought the rascals with you," observed Fekmah."What are we going to do with them?"
"I'm sure we've all been thinking about that," Dr. Kirshner returned."There are no police so far south as this, and we can't very well takethem with us back to Wargla. I wonder how it would be to take them toan oasis fifty miles or so from here and leave them? There would be nodanger of them starving, because dates and water would furnish food.And they couldn't get away without camels."
"Sounds all right," Mr. Holton said. "Do you know where there is suchan oasis?"
"No, but I'm sure our Tuareg friends do. I'll ask them in the morning.Until then we'll have to keep our eyes on these Arabs. It might bewell to tie them up."
This was thought good advice, and the captives were bound together sotightly that they could not escape.
The remainder of that day passed idly, and the explorers retiredshortly after the evening meal.
"But we must be up early in the morning," Mr. Holton told them. "Wehave a big day before us."
They all slept the sleep of exhaustion and did not awaken as early asthey had intended.
Breakfast over, Dr. Kirshner and Bob got on their camels and startedfor the Tuareg village. The others put in a request to go also, butthe archaeologist stoutly refused, saying that no time must be wasted.
"We only want to make arrangements to take these Arab crooks to anoasis and leave them," he said. "If more of you go, it willnecessarily keep us longer."
It did not take the two long to get to the natives' village. Thechieftain at once came out to meet the newcomers, and Bob introducedDr. Kirshner to them.
After a few casual remarks the scientist got to the point. He told thenatives of his desire to banish the Arabs to an oasis, if any werenear. He also asked if enough camels could be borrowed to take thecrooks there.
The chieftain at once replied that he knew of an oasis a half-day'sjourney from the village, and that he would gladly let them have thecamels.
"Fine!" Dr. Kirshner said in the native tongue. "We'll go there atonce."
The chieftain insisted upon leading them to the oasis, for, he said,they could not find it alone.
Dr. Kirshner consented, and the head native at once herded enoughcamels to take the prisoners away. Then the Americans and the Tuaregchieftain started for the explorers' camp to get the Arabs.
"Be glad when this job's over," remarked Bob, as they rode towardcamp. "I'm anxious to see the hidden treasure."
They arrived at camp and placed each Arab on a dromedary. Afterpreparing a lunch to last them until they would return, Dr. Kirshner,Bob, and the Tuareg chieftain began the journey to the oasis, ridingbehind the prisoners and guarding them closely.
The oasis was about forty miles away, situated on a barren sand plainsurrounded by mountains. The Tuareg explained that there was no otherwell near and that the prisoners would be forced to stay there for anindefinite period, for no caravans passed along that way.
In order to get to the place it was necessary to go through themountains, and traveling was not any too easy. But they rode with adetermination and finally arrived at the oasis.
The Arabs were commanded to dismount and walk forward. Then, afterfilling their canteens with water, the Americans and the Tuaregsstarted the return journey, herding the dromedaries ahead of them.
"Now that that's over, maybe we can rest easy," said Dr. Kirshner."Those Arabs can't get away because of not having camels, and themonotony will punish them greatly."
Bob, the scientist, and the Tuareg made good time that afternoon,arriving at the explorers' camp just before sundown. The chieftainlost no time in getting back to his village, after being thankedwarmly for his services.
"We'll see that those Tuaregs get a reward," said Mr. Holton. "Just assoon as we get to the hidden treasure we'll give it to them."
The natives had not been told of the cave of riches, however, for fearthat their age-old desire to raid might get the better of them.
Very early the next morning the explorers got their belongings placedon the dromedaries and started out for the cave of treasure. Althoughit would mean only a few hours' journey, they were extremelyimpatient.
"Wonder if those Arabs carried any of the riches away?" asked Bob, asthey rode toward the high wall of rock, in the side of which was thecave.
"No," Mr. Holton returned. "They hadn't started yet. Were just lookingover everything. At least that's what our guards told us. It seemedthat they intended to carry the stuff out in a day o
r two."
"Wanted to catalog everything first, huh?" asked Bob. "Well, it's agood thing we stopped them when we did."
Fekmah found it necessary to consult his duplicate map veryfrequently, and he wondered if he had remembered to put in all thedetails accurately.
Finally, after they had passed the tall wall of rock and werefollowing a narrow trail up the mountain on the opposite side of thecliff, Dr. Kirshner turned to Bob.
"You asked the other day how we were to get into the cave," he said."Of course it would be impossible to scale that lofty cliff. Fekmah'smap points out a narrow opening in the rock somewhere in thisvicinity, and we ought to find it in a very few minutes now."
He had scarcely uttered the words when Fekmah cried out in delight andpointed to a peculiar rock formation not far ahead.
"There it is," he declared joyfully. "There is where we enter mountainto get cave of treasure."
The explorers, led by Fekmah, moved on up to the spot.
"Here's an opening!" cried Joe, pointing to a small crack that wasbarely large enough to let them in.
Getting out their flashlights, they followed Fekmah through the crackand into a narrow tunnel. The air was damp and heavy from the breathof ages, but they trudged on through.
After what seemed like hours, the passageway gradually became lighter,and the explorers found themselves in a large cave.
Suddenly Joe stumbled and fell, unable to catch himself.
"What's this!" he mumbled.
Then, as his light was turned to the floor, he gave an exclamation ofjoy.
"The hidden riches!" he said excitedly. "I've found them!"
CHAPTER XXVIII
Back to Civilization
At Joe's welcome declaration, the others ran over in a high state ofexcitement.
There, directly at their feet, was a huge chest of metal, the lid ofwhich was pushed back. Piled up to the top were emeralds, diamonds,and a myriad of other precious stones. There were gold coins, riflesof ancient design, small silver boxes, and a hundred or more othervaluable trinkets.
For several minutes no one could speak. They were too amazed at thevalue of the treasure. Finally Dr. Kirshner looked up.
"Thousands and thousands of dollars' worth," he muttered, as though hecould hardly believe his eyes. "And it has all survived through theages. In addition to the gold and precious gems, those rifles andcoins will be of enormous value as relics."
"Relics?" asked Joe.
"Yes. They date back to the Middle Ages. You see," he went on, "theTuaregs have always been fond of raiding caravans and cities. Wheneverthey see an opportunity to take possession of riches, they go out atonce on a raid. The treasure in this cave was undoubtedly collectedmany hundreds of years ago. That is why there are guns and implementsof the seventeenth century."
"How interesting!" exclaimed Mr. Lewis. "I suppose now you are doublyglad we searched for this cave, because these relics will fit right inwith your work as an archaeologist."
A thorough search of the cave was made, and the explorers discoveredmany other articles of great worth.
"Now we'll carry this stuff out to the dromedaries," said Mr. Lewis."It isn't wise to leave it in here too long."
They had brought several large burlap bags, and the treasure wasdivided into these. There were eight of them, each filled to capacity.
"Guess we'll have to make two trips," said Bob. "It'll be too much forus to get it all out at once."
"We won't mind that," smiled Mr. Lewis. "The more there is thebetter."
They carried out five of the sacks and then went back for the otherthree. When finally everything had been taken from the cave, theyrested in the shade of the rocks.
A lunch was prepared of canned food that had been taken from thesupplies. All ate heartily, their eyes remaining much of the time onthe bags of riches.
"We may have to have more camels to get this stuff back to Wargla,"remarked Mr. Holton. "I wonder if there is a chance of buying themfrom the Tuaregs?"
"Probably is," Dr. Kirshner returned. "We'll see when we get theseriches back to camp."
The explorers thought it best to get the bags of riches to their campbefore going to the Tuareg village for camels. Despite the fact thatthe natives were friendly, they might have the desire to raid theAmerican expedition for their precious find.
Camp was made several miles north of the Tuareg village. Then Bob, Dr.Kirshner, and Joe started out to the habitation.
"Do you think they'll let us have the camels?" Joe asked, as theymoved out of sight of their camp.
The archaeologist nodded.
"I'm inclined to think they will," he said. "We'll pay them a goodprice for the animals, in addition to rewarding them for helping getus out of captivity."
At last they rode into the village, to be met by the chieftain.
Dr. Kirshner told the native that he wished several more camels, andthat he would pay a good sum for them. He finished by presenting theman with a number of large coins, treasured so highly by Tuaregs.These, he said, were in return for the services of him and his peoplein capturing the Arabs.
The chieftain was delighted and at once said that they could have thecamels. He walked out beyond the village to a large plain, whereseveral hundred _meharii_, or native dromedaries, were grazing on thesparse vegetation. These were huge white animals, towering many inchesabove the mounts of the explorers.
The Tuareg said the Americans could have the brutes for a very nominalsum, and Dr. Kirshner at once accepted his offer. Secretly he knew hewas getting a bargain.
"Now to get back to camp," the scientist said, after bidding the tallnative good-bye.
When the three Americans rode within sight of the tent, their friendswere indeed surprised at sight of the large camels.
"You sure brought something back this time," observed Mr. Lewis."Never in my life have I seen camels of that size and strength."
"Just what we need," laughed Joe. "I don't know how we could havemanaged without them."
They took it easy the remainder of that day. In the evening, Dr.Kirshner called his friends together.
"I make a motion that we start back to Wargla," he said. "Younaturalists have collected scores of specimens of animals, Bob and Joehave exposed hundreds of feet of motion-picture film, and I have madenumerous archaeological observations. And to cap it all, we located thehidden treasure. If there is anything else to keep us any longer, Idon't know what it is."
"You're right," agreed Mr. Holton. "We should be getting back home. Onthe way, however, we can keep our eyes open for anything else thatmight interest us."
It was decided not to leave until after a rest of two days. Theexplorers were greatly fatigued after the eventful week, and werecontent to do nothing but sit idly in the tent.
But when the morning set for their leaving arrived, they wererefreshed and ready for action.
"We've had a big time of it here," remarked Bob. "But somehow I'manxious to get back home."
After attending to last-minute preparations, the explorers got ontheir dromedaries and turned the animals toward the north.
It was slow traveling through the Ahaggars, with the numerous jaggedrocks and peaks standing in their way. They were glad indeed whenfinally they reached the end of the mountain range and rode over arocky plain.
"Now let's make time," said Mr. Holton. "We'll have it comparativelyeasy from now on and should get to Wargla inside of a few weeks."
"And we're likely to have many more adventures before we again seecivilization," remarked Joe.
Notwithstanding this, the journey back to Wargla was made withoutimportant incident, except that in a region of deep ravines Mr.Lewis's camel missed its footing and came near plunging down atwenty-foot crevice.
At Wargla the explorers remained for several days, boxing and cratingtheir specimens and antiquities. Here Fekmah divided the treasureamong himself and his friends. They begged him to take much thelargest share, but he firmly refused.
"If it had n
ot been for you Americans, I would not have had any of thehidden riches," he told them, as they sat in the station awaiting thetrain to take them to the coast.
"It was Bob who did it," said Dr. Kirshner loyally. "It was he who gotus out of captivity and brought about the success of the expedition!"
THE END
BIBLIOGRAPHY
_Across the Sahara_, by Hanns Vischer--E. Arnold, London.
_Across the Sahara by Motor Car_, by Haardt--D. Appleton Co.
_Sands of Sahara_, by Sommerville--J. B. Lippincott.
_Camping in the Sahara_, by Hull--Dodd, Mead & Co.
_The Spell of Algeria and Tunisia_, by M. S. Mansfield--L. C. Page Co.
_Encyclopedia Britannica._
Wood's _Natural History_--A. L. Burt.
_Elements of Zoology_, by Holder--American Book Co. (D. Appleton.)
_The World and Its Peoples_--The Thompson Publishing Co., St. Louis.
* * * * * *
Transcriber's note:
The four books in this series have been transcribed in the samemanner. This means that in some books, table of contents and or/listof series names have been added.
Except in cases of obvious typographical errors, archaic andinconsistent spelling has been retained.
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