“Come here! We’ve found a lovely little spring!”
The girls quickly followed in the newly broken trail that was plainly seen, and reached the pool of water that was hidden by sagebushes and low lava-rock formation.
“I was so thirsty I just flattened myself out on the sand and filled up,” laughed Ruth, sighing with repletion.
Every one, the Captain included, drank freely of the warm water, and Julie made a remark that it tasted brackish for such an active spring.
“Maybe that is due to the sand and sun,” ventured Joan.
“While we are here, let’s give the horses a good drink,” suggested Anne.
“That’s a good idea. Then they will be fresh for the trip across the sand,” added Mrs. Vernon, starting back to get her horse and lead him to the spring.
But the horses refused to drink. They seemed thirsty enough, but every one of them backed away when the girls tried to make them bend their heads and drink.
“Why, isn’t that funny? Did you ever see them act like this before?” asked Julie.
Just then Tally’s voice was heard calling for them, and the scouts jumped back into the saddles and rode forward. When they explained about the animals refusing the water, Tally looked serious.