12. The Deadly Desert Crossed
"Oh, that's too bad!" cried Dorothy; "I wanted to thank Johnny Dooit
for all his kindness to us."
"He hasn't time to listen to thanks," replied the shaggy man; "but I'm
sure he knows we are grateful. I suppose he is already at work in
some other part of the world."
They now looked more carefully at the sand-boat, and saw that the
bottom was modeled with two sharp runners which would glide through
the sand. The front of the sand-boat was pointed like the bow of a
ship, and there was a rudder at the stern to steer by.
It had been built just at the edge of the desert, so that all its
length lay upon the gray sand except the after part, which still
rested on the strip of grass.
"Get in, my dears," said the shaggy man; "I'm sure I can manage this
boat as well as any sailor. All you need do is sit still in your places."
Dorothy got in, Toto in her arms, and sat on the bottom of the boat
just in front of the mast. Button-Bright sat in front of Dorothy,
while Polly leaned over the bow. The shaggy man knelt behind the
mast. When all were ready he raised the sail half-way. The wind
caught it. At once the sand-boat started forward--slowly at first,
then with added speed. The shaggy man pulled the sail way up, and
they flew so fast over the Deadly Desert that every one held fast to
the sides of the boat and scarcely dared to breathe.
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