"Master Stacy has found a water hole, just what we need at this particular moment. The stock needs water, and especially the ponies that have been racing for the last half hour."
"You don't mean that we are to drink that stuff, do you?" demanded Walter.
"Not now. We still have some fairly good water in the water bags. Later on you may be glad to drink alkali water. Run up and down if you feel able. You'll dry off in a few minutes," suggested Parry, turning to Chunky.
"I—I don't want to. Feels nice and cool after my bath. Jump in and take a swim, fellows."
"No, thank you—not in that dirty water," objected Ned.
"I'll tell you what, boys," suggested Tad. "After the stock has had a drink we'll take off our shoes and put our feet in. Guess we can stand that much."
"That's a good idea," agreed Walter. "We'll all take a cold foot bath."
In the meantime, the guide had been busily engaged in breaking the crust around the sink, so that the stock might more easily get at the water within it. The animals were impatiently pawing and whinnying, anxious to get the water. They were now willing to drink any kind of water after their half day's journey across the burning alkali.
"You might unpack and get a cold lunch together, if you will," suggested Parry.
The boys soon had one of the tents erected, over which they stretched the fly, that the interior might be cooler.