t incommode them, but would be content to sleep round
their own camp fire, under a neighbouring tree. Tea, damper, and mutton
were, however, plentifully supplied by their hosts.

Roused next morning by a laughing jackass, who had conveniently perched
himself on a bough overhead, they took breakfast in the hut with the
shepherd, and set off at the time he drove out his flock to pasture.

"I am very much afraid we shall be disappointed after all," said Paul,
as they approached the water-hole.

"Why?" asked Reggy.

"Because I see no cockatoos, laughing jackasses, or other birds flying
about. If there were water they would be there."

Paul's fears were realised--there was not a drop of water in the hole.

"Patience," cried Paul; "we shall probably fall in with another before
night."

The poor horses, however, suffered more than their riders, as they had
still some water in their canvas bottles. They rested for a time in the
shade under the trees round the water-hole, and then again rode on.
They were now in a perfectly new country. They kept their eyes about
them on every side to discover such a region as they were in search of.
They passed through a country which might have suited their purpose, but
there was a great drawback--the want of water. That was absolutely
necessary for either a sheep or cattle station. They rode on and on,
their horses began to droop their heads; all that could be done was to
moisten the poor animals' lips with a little water from the bottles.

"What would I not give for a large, juicy water-melon?" exclaimed Harry.

"Don't talk about such a thing," said Reggy; "still I shouldn't mind a
few bunches of grapes."

"They are sour enough now," observed Paul; "but cheer up, the trees look
thicker, and we shall come on water soon, or I am very much mistaken."

Mr Hayward had spoken but little during the day. The boys observed
that he was not in his usual spirits; though he did not complain, he was
evidently ill. As the day advanced he grew worse, and Paul would have
proposed stopping had they found water, but it would be out of the
question to camp without it. Bendigo had never been in this part of the
country, as he belonged to a tribe which inhabited a region to the east,
until the white man came and drove them farther into the interior. The
signs of water, however, should there be any in the neighbourhood, were
not likely to escape his observation. He frequently stood up in his