“No,” said the doctor, “it is impossible. Look at your horse: he cannot carry you right up yonder for miles upon miles in the state he is in.”
“Then I must walk,” cried Wilton impetuously.
“You would break down before you had been gone an hour,” said the doctor, “and we should have to search for you and bring you back.”
“Oh! give me credit for a little more strength and determination, sir,” said Wilton petulantly. “We must have water, and it is to be found up yonder in the hills. What do you say, Bourne?”
“I agree with you that water may be found yonder, but we must keep together. Our party is small enough as it is; we must not make it less by letting one of our most active members break away.”
“Then what are we to do?” cried Wilton, and the boys’ lips moved as if they echoed his words.
“We must wait till dark, and then get the kegs. After the whole party is refreshed, we must strike up into the hills at once and search the valleys till we find a fall or spring, but on no account must we separate.”
So spoke the doctor, but Wilton was in no humour for obeying orders.
“I think you are wrong,” he cried.
“Well,” replied the doctor stiffly, “you have a right to think so, but you might as well bear in mind that you have sworn to obey orders, that I was elected to be chief of this expedition, and that it is your duty to obey—in reason.”