Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/343

Rh with much food for thought. It did not appear to him that a single caravan had ever traversed this desert region; it would have left behind it visible traces of its encampment in the bleaching skeletons of man or beast.

But there was nothing, and they could but be aware that a boundless extent of sand was taking possession of the whole region.

However, as it was impossible to return, they must go forward. The doctor desired no better. He had been wishing for a storm to carry him beyond the limits of this region. But there was not a cloud in the sky. At the end of that day the "Victoria" had not accomplished thirty miles.

If only water were not required! But in all, they had but three gallons remaining. Ferguson put aside one gallon to assuage the burning thirst which the heat at ninety degrees rendered intolerable. Then two gallons remained for the blow-pipe; they could only produce 490 cubic feet of gas, and the blow-pipe required about nine cubic feet an hour; so they could only proceed therefore for fifty-four hours longer. This was a mathematical certainty.

"Fifty-four hours," said the doctor to his companions. "Now, as I have decided not to travel during the night, so as not to run the risk of passing a stream, a spring, or lake, we have just three days and a half more to travel, and during that period, we must obtain water at any price. I thought I ought to make you acquainted with the serious circumstances of the case, my friends, for I have put aside only one gallon for drinking purposes, and we must submit to a small allowance of it."

"By all means 'allowance' us," replied the Scot, "but we need not despair; you say we have three days before us still?"

"Yes, Dick."

"Well, complaining will do no good; in three days it will be time enough to take that line; till then, let us keep a good look-out."

At the evening meal, the water was strictly measured, the quantity of brandy was rather increased in the grog, but it was necessary to be cautious in using this liquor, more likely to cause thirst than to quench it.

The car rested during the night upon an immense plain,