"No, I guess not. But where are you going to get it?" asked Ned.
"About a mile further on there should be a mountain stream. There will not be much water in it just now, but we shall be able to fill our bags and water the stock, I guess."
"Hooray!" shouted the boys.
"The call of the desert is stronger than ever," averred Tad.
"You are not the first ones who have felt that way, young man. 'The call of the desert,' as you put it, has lured many a poor victim to his death. Water is the all important thing when on a journey of this kind, and we shall have to be vigilant that we do not allow ourselves to be without it."
As the guide had said, the stream, when they finally came up with it more than two hours later, was a mere rivulet.
"Call that a stream?" sniffed Stacy.
"No, it's a freshet," replied Ned Rector. "You might take a swim in it were it not for the danger of drowning."
"How are we going to get any water unless we dip it up with a spoon?" asked Tad.
"I'll show you," smiled the guide, dismounting.