ing God to send down the bitterest curses on his head.

A sudden impulse moved the heart of Frank. He turned back, poured about
half a wine-glassful of water into a tin can and gave it to the
unfortunate man, who seized and drained it greedily, licking the rim of
the can and gazing into it, to see that not a drop had escaped him, with
an eagerness of manner that was very painful to behold.

"God bless you," he said to Frank with a deep sigh.

"Do you think," said Frank earnestly, "that God will curse and bless at
your bidding?"

"I don't know, and don't care," replied the man, "but I say God bless
you. Go away and be content with that."

Frank had already lost too much time. He turned and hastened after the
others as fast as possible.

"They won't last long," said the guide harshly, as he came up. "The
wolves or the redskins will soon finish them. You were a fool to waste
your water on them."

"You are a fool to give your opinion to one who neither asks nor cares
for it," retorted Frank.

The man took no notice of the reply, and Frank afterwards felt somewhat
ashamed of being so hasty, for at night, when they encamped, the guide
advised him, in a friendly way, to keep a sharp look-out on the water,
as those who had finished theirs during the day would be not unlikely to
make an attack on those who had any left. Frank thanked him; but being
too much fatigued to mount guard, he and Graddy, with his Yankee friend
Jeffson, slept together, rolled in their blankets, with pistols in their
hands and the water-bottles attached to them. Nothing disturbed them,
however, during the night, save the howling of wolves, and the imploring
cries, irritated exclamations, and angry discontent of the suffering
men, which latter sounds were far more terrible than the cries of wild
beasts.

A little before day-break some who could not rest sprang up and
continued their journey, walking at their utmost speed until they
sighted the woodland. Then, indeed, did a new sensation of delight fill
their souls as they gazed upon the green verdure. Even the mules,
though their eyes were bandaged, seemed to know that water was near.
They snuffed the breeze, pricked up their ears, and neighed loudly. On
reaching the woods, and sighting the river, a momentary halt was called
to cast off the burdens of the mules. This was speedily done, and then
they all rushed--men and mules together--deep into the stream and
luxuriated in the cool wa