“He will be soon,” said the doctor.
“Can you tell us how far it is to the water, Ned?” said Wilton, making himself heard for the first time.
“No,” said Ned thoughtfully, “but I’m afraid it’s a long way. Why?”
“Because we’ve finished one of the barrels and half of the other, my boy,” said Bourne. “We must be getting on again, then, doctor?”
“Yes; as soon as they can sit their horses.”
“Can’t be very far, sir,” said Griggs, “because of the time they were away. Say, Ned, my lad, can you tell us when you started back with the water?”
“Yes,” said the boy; “directly after sunrise.”
“And when did the mule cave in?”
“I don’t quite know, because my head felt so thick; but it was when the sun was hottest. I think I could show you the way, though.”
“Oh, we can find the way, squire; you have written that down clearly enough in the sand. Tell us one thing more, though,” said Griggs. “What did you find—a rock spring or a pool?”