41

The mood is subdued in camp tonight—somber, apprehensive, or awed. Once again, you pitch your tent, settle down for supper, and set up your bedroll. Not quite feeling ready to sleep, you emerge and take a look around.

Tonight, Esme and Sam have retired early, exhausted from the day's exertions. Abdul is at the truck, checking over its engine by lantern light. Mehedi is sitting alone with his back to the fire, smoking his pipe and staring out at the horizon, perhaps lamenting his lost camels.