Here John came up with some tinned meat on an enamelled plate and a few biscuits.
"Boys want water, sah," he said. "Very dry."
"Perhaps there is a well in the place," Challis suggested.
"I'll go and see," said Royce. "Stay where you are—you need rest more than I do."
In a courtyard in the centre of the fort he discovered a well, but it was filled up with rubbish.
"There's nothing for it but to go down to the stream," he said, returning to Challis.
"A risky job, in full view of the Tubus," his friend answered.
"We must chance that. Without water we can't hold out a day. If only two or three creep down on the north side they may escape notice. All the Tubus appear to be on the south."
"We two had better do it, with John."
"Not a bit of it! John shall go, and Gambaru; but only one of us. It won't do for both to risk being potted."