At last they succeeded in lining the animals up in an orderly formation. Their next move was to get the burros moving along ahead of them. The way being open and level there was no necessity for leading the pack animals now. These could take care of themselves without danger to the outfit.
"And this is the desert!" marveled the Professor.
"Looks to me more like a landscape of German measles," averred Stacy, as they moved along through scattering sage brush and open sandy stretches.
Now that they had reached the plain itself, they discovered that it was not one level stretch of land. Instead, the country was rolling; here and there were wide reaches of whitish desert sands and alkali sinks. The atmosphere was like an oven. Not a breath of air was stirring. Already the lads were mopping their brows and fanning their faces with their sombreros, while spots of dark shining moisture on the ponies' sides bore evidence that they, too, felt the baking heat.
"I say, fellows, let's find some shade," called Stacy.
"All right, go ahead and we'll follow," laughed Tad.
"I'll ride up to the top of that knoll and make an observation."
Tom Parry smiled appreciatively as the lad galloped up the sharp rise of ground, where Chunky sat on his pony, shading his eyes as he gazed off over the cheerless desert.
"Well, how about that shade?" shouted Ned.
Stacy turned disconsolately and rode back to his companions.
"But I know how to make some," added the fat boy.
Slipping from his pony he cut some sage brush, which he fashioned about his head in the shape of a hood, so that it gave his perspiring face some protection from the intense glare of the sun.
"Now, all you need is a strip of mosquito netting," suggested Walter.
"And a little red rocking chair," added Ned.
"I guess you will have to be satisfied with a cup of alkali water," interjected the Professor, dryly.
"You will find the air much cooler, shortly," the guide advised them. "The sun is going down now and I think we had better make camp, if the Professor has no objections."
"Not in the least. In fact, I am quite ready to call it a day's work."
"Where do we camp, Mr. Parry?" asked Tad.
"Right here. It is as good a place as any that we shall find. There is little choice out here."