“There is a spring up yonder,” spoke up Stacy, pointing up the mountain.
“Where? How do you know?” demanded Tom.
“Because there are green things up there,” answered Stacy.
“Hm-m-m! You do see something, don’t you?” chuckled Emma.
“Yes, but I’m not always bragging about it,” retorted the boy.
“There appears to be a level spot to the right of that patch of green, folks,” said Hippy. “Guide, shall we try to make it?”
“Yes. We can easily make it before sunset. I’ve never been up this far, but we ought to be able to git there in plenty of time. I reckon we better git off and walk now.”
The Overlanders dismounted, Stacy with much grumbling, leading their ponies and cautiously picking their way over the rugged trail. It was six o’clock when they finally reached the spot indicated by Stacy Brown. His reading of the signs had been right. A sparkling spring of cold water was found there bubbling from the mountain-side. The guide dug a shallow pool below the spring, then a channel from the spring to draw the water to the pool. In this way he formed a basin from which the animals might drink without fouling the waters of the spring itself. The Riders were so interested in the proceeding that for the moment they forgot to get to work.
“Well? Shall we start something instead of watching Jim?” demanded Hippy.
“What shall we do?” asked Nora.