The sky above was of a bright red color, and a weird light trickled through the fog of yellow. It was the most unusual happening that the Americans had ever witnessed. "If it just wasn't for this terrible wind!" muttered Mr. Holton, when there had come a slight lull. "Yes," agreed Fekmah. "Then it not be so hard to stand it." He had scarcely finished when another gust of hot sand struck them cruelly, making their faces sting anew. Suddenly Tishmak noticed that they were nearly engulfed in a heavy pile of sand. With a quick motion he drew himself out and drove the dromedaries to another spot. For a brief moment the explorers were exposed to the full violence of the storm. Then they again took places behind the newly located camels. "Not taking any chances on being covered up, are you?" said Dr. Kirshner to Tishmak. The latter did not understand the words, but he caught the meaning and smiled. How long the terrific onslaught of sand lasted, no one knew. They had lost all sense of time, and the heavy atmosphere completely hid the sun. It was only gradually that the terrible storm subsided, and then the air was exceedingly hot and dry, promising to remain that way for some time. Slowly the cloud of sand about them grew thin, until it finally cleared away completely. Now only an occasional hot wind annoyed them, but it was scarcely anything compared to the previous bombardment of sand. "No more of anything like that for me!" muttered Bob, as he worked his feet loose from the high pile that strove to bury him alive. The dromedaries, too, had their legs embedded in the sand so deeply that it required several minutes of constant digging to relieve them. "Suppose we rest awhile before going on," suggested Bob. "It has been a great strain for all of us, standing against that terrible rush of sand." The others readily agreed, and all thoughts of continuing the journey at once were dismissed from mind. "At least," Joe said, "we got out alive, and that's more than you can say of many caravans." "Yes," returned his father. "Perhaps under this very spot are the bones of men and camels that were not as lucky as we were." "That storm rather short lasting," remarked Fekmah, glancing at his watch. "Many times storm last several hours." Joe sighed. "I'd hate to have had to stand much more of it," he said. It was nearly noon, and the tent was pitched for the midday rest. All were very weary after the terrific strain. "Let's have our lunch," suggested Mr. Lewis. "I'm very hungry, and I'm sure everyone else is." The noon meal and rest followed, the explorers not continuing until after three o'clock. Late that afternoon they came to one of the largest uninhabited oases that they had yet seen. It was situated snugly on a narrow stretch between high dunes. "It's a wonder a small town hasn't sprung up around here," remarked Bob, drinking greedily of the refreshing water that gushed from the large spring. Dr. Kirshner nodded.