Just then Shanter gave a triumphant cry. He had come to a large water-hole, by which they camped for the night, and had the pleasure of seeing their tired horses drink heartily, and then go off to crop the abundant grass.
“Now, boys,” said Norman that night, “I’ve something to tell you. To-morrow we go forward half a day’s journey, and then halt for two hours, and come back here to camp.”
“Why?” cried Rifle.
“Because we have only just time to get back as father said.”
“Why, we’ve only—”
“Been out eight days, boys,” interrupted Norman; “and there’s only just time to get back by going steadily.”
“But we can’t get back in time,” argued Rifle. “We shall only have five days and a half.”
“Yes we shall, if we don’t make any stoppages.”
“Oh, let’s go on a bit farther; we haven’t had hardly any fun yet,” cried Rifle.
But Norman took the part of leader, and was inexorable.