the
midshipmen, who had satisfied themselves with two or three water melons
apiece. At length the clump of trees was reached.

The party seated in the shade enjoyed the cool air which played among
the tall stems. Having cleared away the grass in front of them, they
lighted a fire and cooked a part of their meat, the rest being cut into
strips and hung up in the sun to dry. It was fortunate for them that
they took this precaution. For two days or more they travelled on
without meeting with a drop of water, but existed as before on water
melons, which prevented them suffering from thirst--as valuable to them
as the plant of a similar species which exists on the arid sands of
Africa is to many a weary traveller, as well as to the wild beasts who
roam over those sandy regions.

They were keeping a look-out ahead for some prominent object by which to
steer, when, as the sun rose one day, after they had been marching all
night, his rays fell on what seemed like a white cone rising out of the
plain. As they pushed on and on it rose higher and higher, although it
seemed as far off as ever.

"Why, it must be a snow-covered mountain!" exclaimed Tom.

"I hope we shall not have to climb it, although I should not object to a
good roll in the snow just to cool myself," said Billy.

In spite of their eagerness they were compelled to rest as before at the
first wood they reached, near the banks of a stream. As most of the
party lay fast asleep in the shade, Tom, who was on the watch, observed
a herd of small deer apparently coming down to drink. He roused up
Desmond, and taking their rifles they crept behind two trees. The deer
came on in single file. They were graceful little animals of a dark
drab colour on their backs and sides, and white underneath, and pretty
large antlers. Without hesitation they at once began to cross the
stream, passing along close to where the midshipmen were concealed. Tom
selected one animal and Gerald another, and both firing brought the two
to the ground. The rest of the deer looked about very much astonished,
but did not take to flight. Those who had crossed still continued the
same course as before. This gave Tom and Gerald time to re-load, and
they brought down two more animals. Not until this did the herd bound
off in confusion. The firing had roused up the rest of the party. Tom
and Desmond were eagerly rushing out to despatch one deer which was not
quite dead, when they saw bef