, we discovered that what we took to be fruit were in
reality leaf-formed cups, some with lids, others open; and our joy can
be imagined when, on taking hold of one of them, some clear liquid ran
over the rim. I did not stop to consider whether it was real water; but
immediately putting the cup to my lips, I drained it to the bottom. How
deliciously cool and refreshing it tasted!--no water from the
fountain-head of the purest stream could have been more so--though it
had a somewhat sweetish taste.

Mudge followed my example; and between us we had drunk the contents of
several of these small cups, when he whispered, half to himself, "I
wonder whether it is really water, or something poisonous!"

"I am very sure that it is wholesome," I could not help answering; "it
would be ungrateful in us to doubt it. Providence has placed a tree in
this dry spot for the purpose of supplying man, and perhaps some of his
other creatures, with the chief necessary of life."

"Or perhaps it may be to nourish the tree," observed Mudge.

"That may be true; and both objects, as is often God's intention, are
thus answered," I remarked.

"Then let us sit down under it and be thankful; and now we'll eat some
pemmican and biscuit," exclaimed my companion, "and get a little
strength into our bodies."

We did so, and felt greatly refreshed; and before we again started we
drank some more cupfuls of the liquid. Near at hand we met with several
trees of the same description, to which we again applied. Indeed, I
felt that I could go on drinking all day without being satisfied.

Thoroughly recovered, we now looked about for birds, that we might have
a substantial supper at night. Suddenly we caught sight of a creature
which, startled by our approach, bounded out from behind a bush where it
was feeding. It was a kangaroo of tolerable size; but, unlike the large
kangaroos we had before seen, it went leaping away up the hill with as
much ease as they make their way along the plain. The appearance of the
animal at this spot showed that we were likely to see others, so, though
that one had escaped, we were not without hopes of having some meat for
dinner. We kept our eyes about us more vigilantly than ever. We saw
also a few birds, but they kept at a distance from us. Of course, had
we not been anxious to push on, we might have been able to get at them,
and might possibly also have got up with the kangaroo we first saw.

Trees of various d