Bunker, as he
knelt down and looked more closely at the little hill of rocks back of
the water hole. It was from cracks in these rocks that the water bubbled
out and filled a hollow, rock basin before flowing on. Now less and less
was coming and, of course, as the spring water always kept running away,
or it would have overflowed, the basin was slowly but surely getting
dry.

"I think what is happening," said Daddy Bunker, "is that, somewhere back
in the mountains or hills, where the stream comes from that feeds this
spring, the water is being shut off, just as we shut off the water at
the kitchen sink faucet. Where does the water come from, Fred?"

"I don't know," was the answer. "It must come from some place
underground, as we've never been able to find it on top. Well, we won't
go thirsty, for there is plenty of water in the tank. But I hope the
spring soon fills up again."

Even as they watched the water got lower and lower, until there was
hardly a pailful left in the rock basin. No more clear, sparkling water
bubbled up out of the cracks in the rocks. The strange thing that Uncle
Fred had told about was happening at the spring.

"Is the cows drinking up all the water?" asked Mun Bun, as he looked
into the now almost emptied basin.

"No, I don't believe they are," answered his uncle.

"Maybe the Indians took it to wash in," said Margy. "The Indians wash,
doesn't they, Uncle Fred?"

"Well, maybe some of 'em do, but not very often," was the answer.
"They're not very fond of water, I'm sorry to say. But there! we won't
worry about this any more. You six little Bunkers came here to have fun,
and not bother about my spring. Daddy and I will try to find out why the
water runs away, and stop the leak. Did you all get drinks? If you did
we'll go back to the house. It must be almost dinner time."

They all had had enough to drink for the time being, and, leaving the
spring, which was now only a damp hole in the ground, the party went
back to the ranch house. Captain Roy met them.

"Spring's gone dry again," said Uncle Fred.

"Again! That's too bad! I was hoping we'd seen the last of that. Well,
now, we may expect some more bad news."

"What kind?" asked Mrs. Bunker.

"Oh, the captain means about losing more cattle," answered Uncle Fred.
"Almost always, when the spring goes dry, it isn't long before some of
the cowboys come in to tell about our cattle being taken away. But maybe
that won't happen this time."