The dry air of that region took up water as a sponge does.

We passed the summit of this ridge without finding any water, and on our way down the western side we came to a flat place where there was an Indian hut made of small brush.

We now thought there surely must be some water near and we began a thorough search.

The great snow mountain did not seem far off, but to the south and southwest a level or inclined plain extended for a long distance.

Our thirst began to be something terrible to endure, and in the warm weather and hard walking we had secured only two drinks since leaving camp.
We were so sure that there must be water near here that we laid our knapsacks down by the little hut and looked around in every possible place we could think of.