He will soon be history,' rejoiced Pete. 'Nobody survives a breakdown in the desert. Not even Mickey Mouse.' Mickey's condition was really desperate. It wasn't that his car had packed up completely and his water bottle was empty, even the food was completely stale and inedible.

Mickey walked for some hours through the desert and while doing so, used up his last round of ammunition. With difficulty he dragged himself on all fours on the sand, till he reached one of the surveillance cameras which had been set up to keep a watch on the iron-ore camps. He spoke into the camera with whatever strength he had left, 'This is a message for my fianc'e Minnie Mouse in Duckburg.' He rattled, 'My dear Minnie, I will miss you. With you, I have spent the happiest moments of my life. Therefore, you should know that my last thoughts were of you'

And then he finally lost consciousness.

Among those on an inspection tour of the camps was Major Truman, who was in control of all the legionaries in the region. When he arrived at Black Pete's camp, it was not long before he found out what a dangerous mission Recruit Mickey Mouse was away on.

He barked at Pete, 'How could you entrust just one recruit with a task that is too risky even for even an experienced legionary' This is irresponsible, negligence and in addition, completely futile. You will go immediately in search of the recruit and I advise you to bring him back alive. Otherwise, I will send you into the desert.'

Black Pete was left with no choice. He got onto his cross-country bike and was on his way. While he drove, he cursed a lot, uttering all the swear words he had ever heard. He even made up a few new ones.

At first, he followed the trail left behind by Mickey's Jeep, then the imprints of Mickey's shoes and finally the trail which Mickey's body had left behind on the sand, when he was only able to crawl. Shortly thereafter, Pete found the unconscious Mickey.

'Poor me,' said Black Pete, feeling sorry for himself. 'I always knew that my kindness would ruin me one day. Instead of clearing Mickey out of the way, I have to be stupid as to save him even now.' Moaning aloud and complaining, he bent over Mickey who really was in a pitiful condition.

'Wake up!' shouted Pete ands poured water on his face. 'You must not die, snoop' at any rate not yet!'

'Ooh' Aahh!' groaned Mickey and slowly came around. He opened his eyes and saw Black Pete bending over him. 'I am still dreaming,' he thought. 'He would never save me.'

However, as he felt two powerful boxes on his ears, he did not doubt it any more: it was Black Pete! And it seemed as if he even enjoyed getting Mickey out of his unconscious state in this manner. At any rate, he hit him a few more times than was necessary. 'That's enough! Stop it! I am not dead!' murmured Mickey and raised himself up.

Black Pete appeared to regret that somewhat, however he said, 'I will take you back to the camp. But do not state that I let you in for this.'

Mickey shrugged his shoulders. 'Okay,' he replied. 'Just give me a sip of water and help me on to your motorbike.'

And Black Pete helped him. However, before he could mount the bike himself, Mickey had started the motor and raced away from there.

'Many thanks Black Pete!' he shouted.

But after a few seconds, his conscience pricked him. 'No. I can't do such a thing to my worst enemy. However, I will keep him in suspense for a while. He deserves it.'