4) The explorers now know they must travel nine days back across the desert.
They have plenty of food, but not a lot of water. Any seasoned outdoor
traveller knows that it takes 2 liters of water per day to maintain an active
lifestyle (a lifestyle such as "crossing the desert while being chased by
villagers"). They each have one jug, which can contain a maximum of 10 liters
= 5 days of water. Nobody can cary a second jug, especially since they also
have to carry the big heavy gold box. They're not all going to make it.

They realize that, if any of them can escape the desert, those that do escape
can mount a rescue mission with more supplies and manpower to save the others
who didn't make it. However, as little as any of them want to be captured by
villagers, NONE of them are willing to sacrifice themselves by dying of thirst
to allow for this to happen. None of them are willing to let any of them
perish in that fashion. They also know that, if any of them turn back around
and retreat to the temple (where there is plenty of water), they will almost
certainly be captured by villagers -- preferable to death, but it ends their
ability to help the remaining explorers escape.

The pottery jugs are not in any way marked, and are opaque. Unlike the plastic
jugs, it is not possible to exactly/correctly know the amount of water in each
jug, unless it is full or empty. However, because they are all narrow-necked,
it is possible to pour from one jug to another without spilling.

Question #4: Devise a strategy in which at least one explorer gets back across
the desert, without anyone dying of thirst.

Shinarae Lluminus