and a considerable space of rocky ground was uncovered. We none of
us felt inclined to move, but at the same time we knew that we must
exert ourselves or perish; we wanted water more than anything else.

"We have no chance of finding it on this barren sand-bank," I observed
with a sigh.

"I am not so certain of that," said Boxall. "I have heard that in the
driest sand, provided the sea does not wash over it, drinkable water may
be procured by digging deep down. Let us try, at all events."

Agreeing to do as he proposed, we got up and walked along till we saw
some tufts of grass; they were thin, and burned brown by the sun.

"Let us try here," said Boxall. "This grass would not grow without some
moisture; and possibly, by digging down, we shall find it at the roots."

We set to work with our knives, but soon found that we could throw out
the sand more rapidly with our hands than with these. We worked away,
eagerly scraping out the sand. The roots ran very deep. "This is a
most encouraging sign," said Boxall. "Observe how much cooler the sand
is here than at the top." It continued, however, to roll down almost as
fast as we threw it up, and we had to enlarge the circumference of the
hole. Still no appearance of water; but the roots extended even further
down than we had yet gone, and we persevered. We had got down nearly
three feet, when we saw that some of the particles of sand glistened
more than those at the top, and were of a brighter hue.

"See--see! they are wet!" exclaimed Halliday, digging away frantically.

We now got down into the hole, and threw the sand up behind us.
Halliday at length brought up a handful which was moist, and pressed it
to his lips. "It is free from salt!" he cried out; and again we all
plunged down, till we came to a patch of wet sand. By keeping our hands
in it, a little water at length began to trickle into them, which we
eagerly drank. But this process appeared a very slow one. Had we
possessed a cup of any sort to sink in the sand, we might have filled
it; as it was, we were compelled to wait till we could get a few drops
at a time in the hollow of our hands. Slow as was the proceeding,
however, we at length somewhat overcame the burning thirst from which we
had been suffering.

"Why should we not try to fill our shoes?" I exclaimed, as the thought
struck me.

"We might try it; but it will take a long time to fill _one_ of them,"
said Boxall; "and I am afraid th