oint about twenty yards away. He
believed that when this sentinel marched to the other end of his beat he
could slip by. At any rate, if he were seen he might make a successful
flight, and he slipped his hand to the handle of the machete in his
belt in order that he might be ready for resistance.

He saw presently two or three dark heaps near him, and as his eyes grew
used to the darkness he made out camp equipage and supplies. The
smallest heap which was also nearest to him, consisted of large metal
canteens for water, such as soldiers of that day carried. His thirst
suddenly made itself manifest again. Doubtless those canteens contained
water, and his body which wanted water so badly cried aloud for it.

It was not recklessness but a burning thirst which caused him to creep
toward the little heap of canteens at the imminent risk of being
discovered. When he reached them he lay flat on the ground and took one
from the top. He knew by its lack of weight that it was empty, and he
laid it aside. Then he paused for a glance at the sentinel who was still
walking steadily on his beat, and whom he now saw very clearly.

He was disappointed to find the first canteen empty, but he was
convinced that some in that heap must contain water, and he would
persevere. The second and third failed him in like manner, but he would
yet persevere. The fourth was heavy, and when he shook it gently he
heard the water plash. That thirst at once became burning and
uncontrollable. The cry of his body to be assuaged overpowered his will,
and while deadly danger menaced he unscrewed the little mouthpiece and
drank deep and long. It was not cold and perhaps a little mud lurked at
the bottom of the canteen, but like the gift of the water palm it
brought fresh life and strength.

He put down the canteen half empty and took another from the heap. It,
too, proved to be filled, and he hung it around neck and shoulder by the
strap provided for that purpose. He could have found no more precious
object for the dry regions through which he intended to make his
journey.

Ned went back toward the pyramid, but his joy over finding the water
made him a little careless. Great fragments of stone lay about
everywhere, and his foot slipped on a piece of black basalt. He fell and
the metal of his canteen rang against the stone.

He sprang to his feet instantly, but the sentinel had taken the alarm
and as Ned's sombrero had slipped back he saw the fair face. He