"I didn't know Tuaregs were found this far north," said Mr. Lewis, as the people disappeared from view. "Their home is in the lower Ahaggars, and they seldom ever, if what I've heard is true, wander far away." The explorers stopped before noon for the meal and rest. Then, at two o'clock, they continued on their way, anxious to leave the plateau behind. Suddenly, as they gradually ascended a long grade, an agile form darted out to one side of Bob's dromedary, its red coat showing brightly in the sunlight. "A fox!" Bob exclaimed and raised his rifle to his shoulder. Glancing along the sights, he pulled the trigger. There was a howl of pain as the bullet struck the animal broadside. Another howl; then silence. "You got him!" cried Joe, delighted. "A big specimen, too," declared Mr. Lewis, getting out his knife. The animal was carefully but rapidly skinned and the hide placed in the solution of preservative. "Already we have a large number of specimens," said Mr. Holton, as they left the skinned body behind. "And we hope to see a good many other animals and birds as we pass on." Late that afternoon the adventurers came to the well that Tishmak had told about, and found the water very cool. It reached the surface in a shady spot among the many high rocks. All drank with a thirst that came from long traveling in a dry, hot region. Bob and Joe especially welcomed it, the latter declaring it better than flavored beverages. "That's right," agreed Mr. Holton. "One can drink many things, but water is, after all, the old stand-by." When the containers were filled, the explorers rested in the shade of the rocks. There was something about that spot that made them hesitate to leave it behind. Perhaps it was the cool water, or it might have been the wall-like formations of stone all about. Finally Tishmak got up and mounted his dromedary, motioning for the others to follow suit. All the remainder of that afternoon they trudged on over the Tudemait Plateau. Slightly to their surprise, they had not yet reached the region of sand that lay at the south of the plateau. Fekmah especially was very restless, saying that he could not understand why the rocky region had not been left behind shortly after the midday rest. "It supposed to be only about a hundred and seventy kilometers [about one hundred miles] across, and we have traveled at least that far," he said, very much perplexed. "Perhaps we have followed the arc of a circle," suggested Mr. Lewis. "Suppose you ask Tishmak." The guide was also in the dark, not being able to give an explanation. "Well," said Bob, "it might be well to keep going awhile longer. We'll surely come to the sandy region before long." The others thought this good advice, but late that evening they were still on the plateau.