"We are now three thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea," declared Fekmah, as the train sped over the last few miles of level country. Soon they came to the Aures Mountains, and between high walls of rock they sped. At last the short range of peaks was passed, and they found themselves once more on comparatively level ground. Suddenly Fekmah pointed to a high ridge of rock: "The Sahara Desert!" he exclaimed. "We have come to it at last." CHAPTER IX Across the Desert At the Arab's welcome remark, Bob and Joe sat up with a start. "At last!" murmured Joe. "Though I'll admit it doesn't look much like a desert to me." "There's still quite a bit of vegetation," said Dr. Kirshner. "But nevertheless, that rocky wall is classed as the mark of the desert's edge." Another small town was left behind. Then, almost without knowing it, they reached Biskra, a modern city that is much frequented by tourists. The train came to a stop at a small but well-built station. "Here we must get off again," said Dr. Kirshner. "The train does not leave for Wargla in the daytime because of the excessive heat." They found much to interest them the remainder of the afternoon. For Biskra, with its picturesque natives, lanes of dirty houses, quaint cafés, and modern buildings held their constant attention. That evening the train arrived for Wargla, and the explorers were glad to continue the journey. For the next eight hours they sped along barren country, only the outline of which could be seen in the darkness. At last they stopped at Tuggourt, formerly the last stop on the railroad. "It won't be long now," sang Joe, as he sat up in his seat expectantly. The train covered the fifty-mile journey in less than an hour, and then, after gradually moving downhill, it passed through a cluster of mud houses and pulled up at a modern station. "All off!" said Mr. Holton. "Here's Wargla, our destination." They got their bags off the train, and then stood for some time taking in their environment. The sun was just beginning to peep from behind a high sand dune, and it was rather easy to make out the landscape. Over to one side was a high minaret of earth, the tallest sun-dried clay mound in existence. Scattered about were numerous clusters of date trees, and to their left was Wargla, glittering with many lights. "Now what?" inquired Bob, rousing himself. "Better get to the hotel," answered Dr. Kirshner. "From what I've heard, it has been built but recently, and we'll have everything of the latest design." A sign told them that the hotel was only a short distance away, and picking up their belongings, they walked over to it. It was all that could be asked for, with modern conveniences that the explorers had not dreamed of enjoying in such an out-of-the-way place. "Better turn in right away," suggested Dr. Kirshner. "It isn't advisable to start the desert journey without having had any sleep."