"Not a river," answered Ned, gazing about him, then allowing his glance to rest on the face of the guide to determine if Parry were making sport of them.
"I am not sure myself. I know where it should be. Whether it's there or not is another matter. Fetch the shovels and we'll soon find out."
"Finding a river with shovels!" muttered Stacy. "Huh! Who ever heard of such a thing?"
But as soon as the boys had returned with the digging implements, Parry swung the tools over his shoulder and strode confidently to the left of where they were encamped for the noonday rest.
The boys followed him full of curiosity.
Finally the guide threw down the tools and began to run his hands over the hot, yellow soil.
"Guess the sun's gone to his head," muttered Ned, as he squatted down to observe more closely what the guide was doing. The other three lads followed his example. In a moment they were on all fours, hopping about like so many quadrupeds.
Parry was shaking with laughter as he observed them.
"Bow! Bow wow!" barked Chunky, jumping on hands and feet, snapping his teeth together suggestively.
The boys looked at each other and burst out laughing. They had discovered all at once what a ridiculous figure they were making.