The five little Bunkers and the grown folk reached the edge of the big spring where Russ stood. He was looking down into the clear water, and the others did the same.
"Surely enough, it is getting lower!" exclaimed Mother Bunker.
"There isn't half as much in as there was at first," added her husband. "Is this the way it always does, Fred?"
"I never saw it run out before," answered the owner of Three Star Ranch. "Every time before, it has happened in the night when no one was near it. We'd visit the spring in the evening, and it would be all right. In the morning it would be nearly dry, and it might stay that way a day or two before the water came back into it. Very queer, I call it."
"So do I!" exclaimed Daddy Bunker. "I'll take another picture of it now. Maybe that will help us solve the mystery."
While he was getting the camera ready Mrs. Bunker said:
"The water is going out fast. You'd better get a drink now, Russ dear, if you want it, for there may not be any more for a long time."
"I will!" exclaimed Russ.
Uncle Fred kept half a cocoanut shell tied by a string near the spring to use as a cup. This Russ dipped in the fast lowering water, and got a drink for the other little Bunkers and for himself, as they all seemed to be thirsty at once.
"What will you do for water when the spring runs dry?" asked Mrs. Bunker of her brother.