Part 12 (1/2)

”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 c.o.c.katoos, laughing jacka.s.ses, 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 pa.s.sed 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 stirrups to look about him, but each time shook his head, observing, ”No water here.”

For several hours the poor horses had not tasted a drop, while they themselves had had barely sufficient to wet their lips. They were more likely to find it by going straight on than by turning either to the right hand or to the left. So on they went.

The day was drawing to a close, not a sign of water appeared, when suddenly Bendigo shouted, ”Dare, dare!” and pointed to some trees which could be just seen in the horizon.

They pushed on, but on reaching the trees, the hollow in which water once had been was dry. A chorus of groans escaped the explorers. ”On, on!” cried Paul.

”We must not despair, we can hold out a few hours longer.”

The moon got up, and, relieved from the heat of the sun, the explorers were better able to endure the want of water. Mile after mile they went on, their weary horses, however, moving but slowly. At length Paul cried out, ”My beast seems to fancy that water is near; I feel him tugging at the rein.”

”So does mine,” said Harry.

Bruce gave a bark, signifying his satisfaction, and dashed on. A silver spot appeared ahead, lighted by the beams of the moon, which had now risen high in the sky. The horses galloped on, Bruce dashed forward, Mr Hayward seemed to revive. They reached a large water-hole! It was necessary to keep back the horses, however, lest they should rush in and stir up the mud. Paul and Harry dismounted, and while Bendigo took charge of their horses, they, unstrapping their pannikins, hurried down the bank. It was no easy matter to fill them, as they had to go down the bank, and then to wade through the mud to get to the water, which looked so bright at a distance.

”Take care that there are no leeches,” said Mr Hayward.

Paul had a piece of linen through which he strained the water from one pannikin to another, then handed it to Harry, who carried it to their tutor before he would touch any himself. Reggy was next served, then Harry, and Paul drank last. How delicious the liquid tasted.

”I could drink a dozen pannikins full,” said Harry, as he drained off a second.

”So could I--two dozen, for that matter,” said Reggy.

Paul had, therefore, no sinecure in filling the pannikins. Bruce had in the meantime quenched his thirst.

At last, as Harry said, ”having taken off the edge of their thirst,”

Bendigo and the horses might now drink. The steeds were then hobbled, and preparations made for camping.

Bendigo said that he did not think any black fellows were in the neighbourhood, as he could discover no traces of them near the edges of the water-hole. None of the rest of the party could have p.r.o.nounced an opinion on the subject.