hen you started back with the
water?"

"Yes," said the boy; "directly after sunrise."

"And when did the mule cave in?"

"I don't quite know, because my head felt so thick; but it was when the
sun was hottest. I think I could show you the way, though."

"Oh, we can find the way, squire; you have written that down clearly
enough in the sand. Tell us one thing more, though," said Griggs.
"What did you find--a rock spring or a pool?"

"A great lake that stretched out as far as we could see."

There was a faint cheer at this, and the boy smiled.

"But there are big 'gators in it."

"I don't care if there are crocodiles in it half-a-mile long," cried
Griggs. "We're going to have our share. Then it's beyond the salt
desert?"

"Oh yes. Beautiful green country, with mountains and trees."

"Within half-a-day's journey," said the doctor. "Then I think we may
give the poor beasts what water there is left."

"Yes, sir," said Griggs. "I'll give 'em my share; but I never grudged
parting with it so much before in my life. Shall I begin?"

"Yes, poor things; but they will not have much apiece even now."

Griggs laughed.

"No, sir," he said. "Skeeter would get outside the whole half-barrel if
you gave him a chance, and then roll round the whites of his eyes and
ask for more."

By the time the water had been given to the beasts, all but a small
portion reserved for the two boys, it was dark, with the stars just
dimly-seen through the haze. All was ready, and the mules and horses
stepped out briskly, the last drink having worked wonders; but probably
the wonderful instinct of the mules taught them that they were nearing
the end of their horribly toilsome journey. Perhaps it is not too much
to say that by some subtle power of communication they had learned the
fact from those which had made the journey before. Certainly our dumb
friends do communicate good and bad information to one another.

Neither Chris nor Ned seemed much the worse since they had had a light
meal, but sat their ponies well enough once more, while there was no
need for their guidance, for the mule which had borne the water-barrels,
unladen now, having been placed with the bell-bearer in front, started
off freely enough, and needed no guidance to keep it to the track.

Naturally enough the two boys rode that night knee to knee with the
doctor and Bourne, each giving and receiving a faithful account of their
proceedings, and the lads too l