"Is it the boys?" called the Professor, as they saw Parry hastening toward them.
"I think so. Put the coffee on, Master Ned. They'll want to boil the alkali out of their systems as soon as they get here."
"That's the time Tad Butler got left," chuckled Ned Rector. "He's always been around when there was any glory coming. But when it comes to finding water where there isn't any, I guess they can't beat Ned Rector."
"What's that boy shooting so rapidly for?" asked Parry.
"He's excited about something," answered Ned. "He's dancing around as if he's suddenly gone crazy. What's that? He's calling and motioning to us. Guess he wants you, Mr. Parry."
"What is it!" called the guide, making a megaphone of his hands.
Unable to make out what it was that Walter was shouting to him, Tom Parry deserted the camp-fire, where he was assisting to get the second supper, and hastened to the knoll.
"What's the trouble, my lad?"
"Come and see. I want you to take a look at that pony. He's tearing across the desert as if something were chasing him. But I can't make out anyone on his back."
"The light is weak and he's throwing a lot of dust. Of course there's some one his back, and there must be two horses."