The Peril Finders Part 59

"Where?" said Ned dismally.

"Amongst the mountains."

"Where are they?"

"Over there," said Chris, pointing.

"Where's over there?"

"To the left of where the sun's going down. That's where we've been making for all the time."

"Ride on?"

"Yes; it will be quickest."

"Come and ask father what he thinks."

"No," said Chris; "it would be losing time."

"We should never find it, and only die of thirst right away from the others."

"We should find it. We must find it, and bring some back."

"But the barrels--they're not empty yet."

"They are," said Chris solemnly. "I stood by this afternoon, and saw every drop drained out."

"Oh!" groaned Ned. "Then it's all over now."

"It isn't, I tell you. We must go."

"We couldn't do it; we're too weak. Come and ask your father what he says."

"It's of no use: I feel sure he's like poor Griggs here. There, the sun's going down, looking red as blood. Quick; the ponies can carry us, and we'll get the mule with the empty barrels between. He'll go then."

"Let's ask Wilton to go."

"Let's try and act like men," cried Chris pa.s.sionately. "There, you mustn't oppose me. That's the way, straight there by where the sun is sinking. It must be right. You must, you shall come."

One weaker than Chris was then would have been sufficient to overawe Ned in those terrible moments, and he yielded without another word.

The two water-barrels with their linking-chain and the wooden wool-stuffed pack-saddle lay ready, and the mule that had borne them suffered itself to be led to where it stood snuffling at the wooden vessels and pa.s.sing its tongue about the bung-holes, till they were slung across its back, and then it stood quietly enough, as if instinctively grasping the object of this movement.

As for the ponies, they raised their heads from where they were striving to get a little nourishment from some dust-covered twigs, and whinnied their welcome to their masters when they were saddled and bridled.

All was soon ready, when Chris raised his head to mark exactly where the sun had disappeared--a hard task, for the heat haze was thicker than ever.

"Where's that star?" he said impatiently.

"Which star?"

"That one that goes down of a night three hours after the sun. The one my father used to guide us by in the early part of the night, and said that it was a planet."

"I don't know. I never heard him say anything about it."

"He did to me. There, there. High up; I can see it now; but it looks faint through this thick dusty air, and it's higher up than I thought for. It will be clearer, and lower down by and by."

"Are you going to steer by that?"

"Yes, of course. Ready?"

"No; we must go and tell our fathers what we are going to do."

"No, we mustn't," said Chris stubbornly; "they'd only say we mustn't go, and after what Griggs said I'm sure it's our only chance. We must get water and bring it back, if they're to be saved."

"But are you sure of that? Mayn't they be better in the morning, and ready to go on?"

"Not unless we get back with water. Now then, will you come?"

"I daren't, Chris," said Ned, with a groan; "it's too horrible."

"Then you're afraid?"

"How can I help it? See how dreadful it will be to strike right off into the desert all alone."

"Not so horrible as to stop here and see the others die like that poisoned mule. Come."

"I can't: it's cowardly to go and leave them."

"It isn't," cried Chris; "it's brave, and we shall find the water and bring it back. Come, we're wasting time. Come on."

"I dare not."

"Very well," said Chris. "When father wakes in the morning, tell him what I've done, and why."

"What shall I say?" cried Ned hoa.r.s.ely.

"That I felt it was the only chance of saving all our lives; and if I don't come back it's because I couldn't find water, Ned."

"And then?"

"Good-bye."

"What do you mean by good-bye?"

"I don't know," said Chris sadly. "Only good-bye."

He held out his hand, but s.n.a.t.c.hed it back and hurried beneath the spread-out tent-canvas, to drop upon his knees close to where the doctor lay plunged in a deep stupor more than sleep.