I then briefly narrated my adventures. He
seemed, I thought, somewhat better. Having secured the entrance, I lay
down by his side, and, in spite of the pain I was suffering from, was
soon asleep.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

MY ADVENTURES WITH NATTY, CONTINUED.

A whole day had passed away. Although I husbanded our water with the
greatest care, I could not expect it to last beyond a second day. Still
my ankle gave me great pain, and I felt utterly unable to walk. Natty,
too, was far too weak to proceed on our journey. The fever, however,
had subsided, and he required less water than at first. Still, it was
almost as necessary for him as food, and I did not like to stint him.
Though suffering from thirst myself, aggravated by pain, I refrained
from taking more than a few drops at a time. I did everything I could
think of to restore strength to my limb.

"I am afraid there is only one thing, Andrew, will do it; and that is
perfect rest," observed Natty at last.

I did not like to alarm him by telling him of my anxiety about water;
but as I sat on the ground with my poor sick friend by my side, darker
forebodings than had ever yet assailed me oppressed my mind. It might
be many days before Natty would be able to move, and if I could not go
to the fountain to procure water, we must both die of thirst.

Two more days passed away, and when I lay down to sleep, scarcely a pint
of water remained. I had remained perfectly quiet all day, hoping that
the long rest would cure the sprain. I had made the hut so secure, I
did not think it necessary to light a fire outside. On again rising, I
put my foot to the ground. Oh, how thankful I felt when I found that it
gave me but little pain, and that I could walk without difficulty! I
told Natty that I would go back at once for water, leaving him our
scanty stock, and the remainder of our birds after I had satisfied my
hunger. The flesh, however, though roasted and dried, was scarcely
eatable.

"Will you not let me go with you, Andrew?" he said. "I think I could
walk as far, if I rested now and then."

He male the attempt, but sank back again on the ground. I persuaded him
to have patience, and to remain quiet; and closing the hut even more
carefully than before, with the thickest sticks I could find, I set off
on my expedition. Though at first I walked with pain, I got on better
than I expected. The air was cool, for the sun was not yet above the
horizon, and I h