“Yes, exactly.”
“Why not bring one of the mules next time?” cried Chris eagerly.
“What for?” said Griggs sharply.
“To make fast the line to his saddle or pack, and let him drag the barrels over the sand.”
“Good!” cried Griggs.
“Excellent!” said the doctor.
“I wonder whether the snakes will follow when the kegs are being dragged over the sand?” said Bourne.
“I don’t think they will, sir,” said the American. “They might perhaps if there are any about after dark, but there are lots of small stones about where they lie, and the critters will have an ugly time of it ground under those two heavy tubs.”
“I’m in hopes that we shall have no further trouble,” said the doctor thoughtfully. “The only thing to decide now is, how long had we better wait?”
“An hour,” said Wilton decisively; and that hour was passed in luxury, for a soft cool air came whispering among the reeking stones which had been bathing all day long in the sunshine, and there was a crispness and revivifying sensation in that gentle evening breeze which seemed to affect even the animals, the mules crouching down in the sand and the horses standing facing the quarter from which the wind blew, as if satisfied to wait for the water that they instinctively expected would come.