“But there may not be enough to go around!” Jack almost snarled. “What good do you think a little like that can do a fellow who is dying of thirst? I must have more—now!”
“Well, you can’t have another drop till the others have taken their turn—not a taste!”
When Frank spoke like that he meant what he said, and Jack knew it. But the little water he had received had maddened Diamond almost as much as had the mirage. As Frank turned toward the water-hole, Jack started to spring upon him, crying:
“We’ll see!”
“Hold on!” said Browning, as one of his hands went out and grasped Diamond. “I wouldn’t do that. You are excited. I reckon I’ll have to sit on you, while you cool off.”
Then the big fellow took Jack down, and actually sat on him, while the Virginian raved like a maniac.
“Poor fellow!” said Frank, pityingly. “He has almost lost his reason by what he has passed through.”
One by one the others received some of the water, and then it came Jack’s turn once more. By this time he was silent, but there was a sullen light in his eyes. When Frank passed him the water in the drinking cup he shook his head, and refused to take it.
“No!” he muttered. “I won’t have it! Drink it all up! You don’t care anything about me! Let me die!”
“Well, hang a fool!” snorted Browning, in great disgust.