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 hobb