"Good old man," murmured Smith.
And they lay down on their spread blankets, and sweated through an intolerable night, while the stars winked hotly in the drying air.
At early dawn Tom filled up all the water-bags, and they ate breakfast in comparative silence. They opened no new discussion, and saddled their horses at the same time. If Hicks was a little behind the others, that was only customary.
"Is it 'go on'?" said he, as Smith mounted. And he saw Smith turn his head to the north-east. There was no more said, and they followed their leader.
But by noon Hicks stopped.
"My horse is nearly done," he said gloomily, and the others paused.
"Give him a mouthful of water in your hat," said Tom.
And Hicks grumbled, but gave it.
"And don't hist your carcass on him again," said the Baker. "Such a man as you should 'ave an elephant."
"Dry up," said Hicks. "That's enough."