s we struggled through the loose sand, and
nearly fell.

"Bit done up, sir," he said, with a piteous smile. "Wound in my leg
makes me feel sick, and the sun's hot. Is there a drop o' water to be
got at anywhere?"

I looked round at the glowing sand and rocks with a feeling of horrible
despair coming over me. Yes, there was water--hundreds and thousands of
miles of water, blue, glistening, and beautiful in the calm morning, but
none that we could give a parched and fainting man to drink.

"Try and creep along a little farther," I said. "Let's get you in
hiding, and then Ching and I will search for some and bring it--"

As I spoke I remembered that I had nothing that would hold water, and I
felt constrained to add--

"Or fetch you to it."

"All right, sir," said the man, with a weary smile; "allus obey your
officers."

Ching went to his other side, and supported him some fifty yards
farther, our way now being through quite a chaos of rocks, which had
been loosened in bygone times from the cliff above. Then, so suddenly
that we were not prepared, the poor fellow dropped with his full weight
upon our arms, and we had to lower him down upon a heap of drifted sand.

"No go, sir," he said softly; "I'm a done-er."

"No, no; rest a bit, and we'll find a cool place somewhere. I daresay
we shall see a cave along here."

"Can't do it, sir," he said feebly; "I've kep' on as long as I could.
It's all up. Never mind me. If those beggars see you, they'll have no
mercy on you, so go on and try and get away."

"Yes; velly muchee makee haste. Pilate come soon."

"Yes, sir; he's quite right, sir. You two cut and run."

"And let them come and murder you, while we go?" I said.

"Well, yes, sir," said the poor fellow faintly; "there's no good in
having three killed when one would do."

"Look about, Ching," I said sharply. "Is there any place where we can
hide?"

"No," he replied disconsolately. "Only place for lit' dog; no fo' man."

"You can't do it, sir," said our poor companion. "Good-bye, sir, and
God bless you; you've done all a orficer can."

"Oh, have I? I should look well when Mr Reardon or the captain says,
`What have you done with your men?'"

"Don't! stop a-talking, sir," he cried, clinging to my hand. "You know
what these beggars are, and you'll have 'em on to you, sir."

"Yes; and we shall have them on to you if we don't find a place soon.
Here, Ching, don't run away and leave us;" for I c