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[[strikethrough]] CONFIDENTIAL [[/strikethrough]]

We thought they had gotten off course a little. Then, too, we had hopes we were near the air route from Dakar to Atar. These were the first plane we saw, and our hopes rose a little higher. It was certainly good to see them even though they were off so far to the South. We figured approx. 10 miles.

We fixed up a good hot supper, built a small fire and tried to go to sleep among the thorns and sand on the ground in a small protected ravine.

It isn't any picnic trying to sleep on the sand with just a little fire trying to keep us warm. In fact, Lt. Weidner and I got only a few hours of sleep the last two nights between us. Petchal sure relaxes and has no trouble at all. We envy him.

Monday - March 15, 1943:

We awoke quite early, partly because we couldn't sleep. We fixed a hot breakfast and were on our way by 6:30.

It was very comfortable walking for it was quite cool and we covered at least 10 miles by 10:30. We were getting quite tired and very discouraged and were about to set down in a clump of trees when lo and behold, we spied a camel caravan coming in the opposite direction. Our prayers had indeed been answered.

We wasted no time in greeting them and gave them an Arabic introduction from the U.S. Gov't. They immediately took care of us and we were on our way with them retracing our own footsteps practically. In fact, we passed the same water hole at 2:00 that afternoon.

We soon made it plain that we were tired, so they hoisted us on the camels and we rode in true Bob Hope style to Morocco. It was quite a thrill. I've never been on a boat, but I can imagine that these camels have the same effect. For a minute I really did think I was going to get sea-sick.

We stopped a little above the water hole and made camp and immediately made friends. We found they were going to Chinquetti about 4 days journey then to Atar.

There is no doubt about it, we are very fortunate and we owe HIM many thanks for taking care of us so many times. We feel very much relieved and perhaps we will enjoy these next few days.

None of us got any sleep all night, due to my broken teeth acting up, and it was so bitter cold. We had no protection whatsoever, except a wood fire, and it was next to nothing at all. We can't figure out how the natives can take it - we have to.

Lt. Weidner and S/Sgt Petchal kept heating canteens of water for me to keep on my gums. The "hot water bottles" afforded me great deal of comfort and relieved the pain a great deal.

Tuesday - March 16, 1943:

We made up some hot chocolate, drank it, and the whole caravan was ready to leave by 8:00 o'clock. And what a ride! Those camels and Arabs can go on indefinitely it seems. We walked as much as we could, then asked to ride. And Petchal and I rode for 4 hours. We still don't know which was worse, camel or walking. Lt. Weidner had taken one of the boys and had gone back to the plane to pick up a bed roll, which we didn't destroy. After last night, we needed something to keep us off the cold sand at least.

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[[strikethrough]] CONFIDENTIAL [[/strikethrough]]