ar off
for me to hit them, but I judged from their flight that they were a
species of partridge which I had before seen. They came from the
south-east, directing their course towards the north-west. Presently I
observed, as I watched them anxiously, that they neared the ground, and
then seemed to me settling down at no great distance off.

I remembered having heard that springs have been discovered by
travellers in the desert by watching the flight of birds, and I hoped
that these were on their way to some fountain. I arose, and hurried on
as fast as my weakness would allow in the direction they had taken.
Still I could not help dreading that I might be again disappointed. I
caught sight at length of some rocks, on the other side of which they
had disappeared. The rocks rose high above the dry, hard ground. As
yet there was no indication of water. My heart sunk within me, but I
persevered. I had not strength to climb the rocks, which rose high up
before me, but I circled round them. I got to the other side, when my
eyes were gladdened by the sight of green herbage and luxuriant shrubs,
which I knew delight in water. Hurrying on, I saw beneath the rocks a
calm, clear crystal pool. Oh, how delighted I felt! But on getting to
the edge I found that the water was too far below me to be easily
reached. I scrambled along the rocks, till at length I discovered a
spot which appeared not more than a foot or two above the water. I
reached it at length, and throwing myself on the ground, bent over till
I could clip my hands in the pure liquid. I eagerly lapped it up. I
felt that I could never drink enough. By degrees my parched tongue and
mouth began to feel cool, and I rose like another person. After resting
a few minutes, I filled my water-bottle. Evening was approaching, but I
could not bear the thought of leaving Natty all the night without
attempting to return to him. Once more I drank my fill. While
drinking, I saw several other flights of birds arrive at the water. A
covey of them pitched thickly on a rock near me. They would afford
valuable nourishment to my young friend. I withdrew the bullet from my
rifle and loaded it with small shot. It was an ungrateful act I was
about to perpetrate, I confess; I thought so even at the time. The
birds, too, seemed fearless of me. I raised my gun and fired. Greatly
to my delight, I saw three lying on the rock, and two others fluttering
near. I hurried forwar