Professor Zepplin led Chunky out to the water sink, by one ear. The lads now quickly dipped up pailful after pailful, which they passed to the guide on the bank. He ran with them to the stock, giving each of the animals a little, so that all might share in the first instalment. Ponies and burros were wide awake now, expressing their pleasure in loud whinnies and blatant brays.
"It's foggy on the river," laughed Ned. "The burros have started up their fog horns."
When Parry returned he brought with him the drinking cups, which he had taken from the saddles.
"Is it fit to drink?" asked Tad as the cups were passed down to them.
"It's wet."
"So are we," retorted Ned. "But we're dirty. Uh! That's horrible stuff."
"Strongly alkaline," nodded the Professor, after sipping gingerly at the brimming cup Parry had passed to him. "Do you not think we had better wait a little while until it settles?"
"Not a second, if you're thirsty," answered the guide shortly. "This stream is liable to change its course in the next ten minutes. Don't you take any chances with a desert stream. Fill the water bags and the canteens as fast as we can that's what we'll do. Then, if the water holds out, there will be time enough to empty out our supply and fill with fresh."
"Hey, Chunky! Haul those water bags over here," called Walter.
"Can't," called Stacy. He was sitting on the ground pulling off a shoe.