Abel—What’re they doin’? [With avid eyes.] They ain’t found no water yet?
Butler—[Shaking his head, his eyes closing wearily.] No. How would they—when there ain’t any—not on this devil’s island—dry as a bone, my sonny—sand and sun—that’s all.
Abel—[Remonstratingly—his lips trembling a little.] Aw—maybe—you don’t know no different.
Butler—No. Might as well look the devil in the face, sonny. There’s no water here. Not a damn drop. No—nor a scrap to eat, neither. Only the damn sun. [Weakly—touching the skin of his face with trembling fingers.] God! My face is like the raw inside of a wet hide! If it’d only rain! [After a pause—kindly.] But how are you, eh? Had a good sleep?
Abel—I was dreamin’ awful. [With a sudden, shrill agony—his lips twitching.] I need a drink of water—something awful! My mouth’s burnin’ up. [With tremulous pleading.] Say, ain’t you got ’nother drink left?—honest, ain’t you?
Butler—[Looking around him cautiously.] Not so loud! [Fixing his eyes sternly on the boy.] This is a dead secret, mind! You’ll swear you won’t blab—not to him?
Abel—Sure, Butts, sure! Gawd strike me dead!
Butler—[Takes a pint bottle from the hip-pocket of his pants. It is about half full of water.] He don’t know I’ve got this, remember! He—and the rest—they’d kill me like a dog—and you too, sonny—remember that!
Abel—Sure! I ain’t goin’ to tell ’em, Butts. [Stretching out his hands frenziedly.] Aw, give it to me, Butts! Give me a drink, for Christ’s sake!
Butler—No, you don’t! I’ll hold it for you. Only a few drops. You’d have it all down your throat. And we’ve got to be careful. It’s got to last ’til the ship comes past that’ll pick us up. That’s the only hope. [Holding the bottle at arm’s length from the boy.] Hands down, now—or you don’t get a drop! [The boy lets his hands drop to his sides. Butler puts the bottle carefully to his lips, and allows the boy two gulps—then snatches it away.] That’s all now. More later. [He takes one gulp himself, and making a tremendous effort of will, jerks the bottle from his lips, and corking it quickly, thrusts it back in his pocket and heaves a shuddering sigh.]