ere on earth is this water, Skinner?" Easton asked as the two young
officers met after the work was done.

"I cannot make out, Easton. I hope it is not far, for my water-skin has
leaked itself empty and my throat is like a furnace."

"I have some water in mine," Easton said, "but it tastes of leather so
strongly that it is next to undrinkable. Oh, here is Clinton. Where is
the water, Clinton?"

"By that rock at the end of the valley. I am just going to have a look
at it. Can you come?"

"Yes; there is nothing to do here at present."

They hurried towards the rock that Clinton pointed out, and when they
reached it they still saw no signs of water, but on going round it burst
into a shout of delight. Before them lay a pool some sixty feet wide by
a hundred long. The rocks rose precipitously on each side; it was
evident that the water was deep.

"There are two more pools further up," an officer who had got there
before them said.

"Let us climb up and have a look," Clinton said; and with some
difficulty they climbed up to the top of the rock. Going along for some
little distance they looked down. Eighty feet below them lay two
beautiful pools. They were evidently very deep, for at the edge the
water was green, but nearly black in the centre of the pools.

"This is something like," Skinner said. "There is no fear of running
short of water. Come on, let us clamber down and get a drink. Look
there, at the rows of camels coming along to the lower pool. I suppose
that will be kept for them, and that we shall get our water from these."

With a good deal of difficulty they got down, but were unable to reach
the edge. However they tied a string round one of their water-bottles,
and soon brought it up full. The water was deliciously clear and cool,
the high rock completely sheltering the pools from the heat of the sun.
They indulged in several long draughts before their thirst was
satisfied.

"I shall never say anything against water again," Skinner remarked. "I
have always allowed its utility for washing purposes, but have
considered it a distinct failure as a drink. I recant. While considering
that at home beer is good enough for me, I am prepared to maintain that,
in the middle of the Bayuda Desert, clear cold water and plenty of it is
good enough for anyone. But how in the world are we going to get at this
water? Oh, here come the Engineers; they are going to do it somehow."

[Illustration: AT THE WELLS OF GAKDUL.]