was shouting with joy or terror, or had gone out
of his senses, we were unable to guess. It sounded like "Who-o-o-op!
water! water! water!"

Had the boy seen a mirage and gone mad? We could see nothing but the
broad hollow about us, barren and dry as ever. But still the boy
continued to shout, "Water! water!" and presently he appeared round
the bend, running and holding up what appeared to be a letter. It was
a letter. When Frank reached the ambulance tears were in his eyes as
he handed me a yellow envelope.

"Found it on the head of a barrel over there, with a stone on it to
prevent it from blowing away."

Breaking open the envelope with trembling fingers, I read:

"TYSON'S WELLS.

"DEAR LIEUTENANT.--Please accept four barrels of water and
four bushels of corn, with my compliments.

"GRAY."

Need I confess the emotions with which we realized the service this
brave Arizona merchant had done us? or need I mention that Mr.
Gray--God bless him, wherever he may be!--is always remembered with
gratitude by me? for this is no idle incident invented to amuse a
reader, but an actual occurrence.

Water!--four barrels!--one hundred and sixty gallons! That meant two
gallons for every man and boy, and eight gallons for each animal. It
meant rest, speed, safety.

We moved across the ravine and found the four barrels by the
road-side. The animals were secured to the ambulance and the acacia
bushes, the heads of the barrels removed, and after each person had
satisfied his thirst the camp kettles were used, until horses and
mules had drunk the contents of one each. The stock was then turned
out to graze.

When coffee was poured, Private Tom Clary arose, and, holding up his
tin cup, said to his comrades:

"Here's a toast to be drunk standin', b'ys, and for many raysons,
which I think nade not be explained to this assimbly, I'm glad to
drink it in a decoction whose principal ingraydiant is wather. Here's
to Mr. Gray, whose conduct at Soldiers' Holes, at Date Creek, and on
the Walkerhelyer has won our admiration. May he niver lack for the
liquid he has so ginerously dispinsed, nor a soft hand to smooth his
last pillow, and plinty of masses for the repose of his sowl!"

Frank and Henry sprang towards the circle of soldiers, raised their
cups as Clary finished his sentiment, and joined in the hearty
response when he closed.

At one o'clock the animals were caught up, given the remainder of the
water an