Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/345

 would then have been twelve or thirteen days' journey certain, and we could have crossed this desert in that time."

"I suppose we have got over half the journey at least," said Joe.

"In distance, yes, in time, no; if the wind drops. At present it appears likely to give out altogether."

"Well, let us go on," replied Joe, "there is no use complaining. We have got on pretty well hitherto, and whatever I do I am not going to despair. We shall find water, mark my words."

The ground, however, was still level, mile after mile, the last spurs of the "golden" mountains died upon the plain, these were the last efforts of exhausted nature! Scattered herbs began to take the place of the trees of the eastern side; a few patches of verdure here and there fought stoutly against the ever-encroaching sand. Great rocks, fallen from the neighboring heights, and broken in their fall, lay scattered in sharp pebbles, which soon became a coarser sand, and finally an imperceptible dust.

"There is Africa as it is represented, Joe. I am right in counseling patience.." [sic]

"Well, sir," replied Joe, "this is nature, at any rate; between the sand and the heat, it would be absurd to search for anything in such a country as this. Don't you see," added he, laughing, "that I have no faith in your forests and your prairies. It is unreasonable. What was the use of coming so far to see merely a country like England? I now, for the first time, believe that I am in Africa, and I am not altogether sorry to see something of it."

In the evening the doctor calculated that the "Victoria" had not traveled twenty miles during that broiling day. A warm haze enveloped them as soon as the sun had set behind the horizon, which could be traced as distinctly as a straight line.

Next day was Thursday, the 1st of May, but the days succeeded each other with depressing monotony. One morning exactly resembled the preceding; mid-day brought its own rays, ever inexhaustible; and the night condensed in its gloom the scattered heat which the following day bequeathed to its successor, night. The wind, scarcely