ecome a large river, but which was now so
thoroughly dry that we could not find even a small pool in which the
oxen might slake their thirst. They had been several days absolutely
without a drop of water, while we were reduced to a mouthful or two per
man in the day. As we could not exist much longer without the
life-giving fluid, Jack dismounted, and placing the load of one of the
men on the ox's back, sent him off in advance to look for water. We had
that morning seen the footprints of several animals which are so fond of
water that they are never found at any great distance from some spot
where it may be found. We therefore felt certain of falling in with it
ere long.

About two hours afterwards our negro returned, saying that he had
discovered a pool of rain-water, and showing the marks of mud on his
knees in confirmation of the truth of what he said.

"Ask him if there's much of it, Mak," said Jack, as we crowded eagerly
round the man.

"Hims say there be great plenty ob it--'nuff to tumble in."

Gladdened by this news we hastened forward. The oxen seemed to have
scented the water from afar, for they gradually became more animated,
and quickened their pace of their own accord, until they at last broke
into a run. Peterkin and I soon outstripped our party, and quite
enjoyed the gallop.

"There it is," cried my comrade joyfully, pointing to a gleaming pond in
a hollow of the plain not two hundred yards off.

"Hurrah!" I shouted, unable to repress my delight at the sight.

The oxen rushed madly forward, and we found that they were away with us.
No pulling at our rope-bridles had any effect on them. My companion,
foreseeing what would happen, leaped nimbly off just as he reached the
margin of the pond. I being unable to collect my thoughts for the
emergency, held on. My steed rushed into the water up to the neck, and
stumbling as he did so, threw me into the middle of the pond, out of
which I scrambled amidst the laughter of the whole party, who came up
almost as soon as the oxen, so eager were they to drink.

After appeasing our own thirst we stood looking at the oxen, and it
really did our hearts good to see the poor thirsty creatures enjoy
themselves so thoroughly. They stood sucking in the water as if they
meant to drink up the whole pond, half shutting their eyes, which became
mild and amiable in appearance under the influence of extreme
satisfaction. Their sides, which had been for the last t