The course was up a gentle grade and seemed quite sandy and not easy to travel.

It looked as if there was an all day walk before us, and it was quite a question if we could live long enough to make the distance.

There were quite strong indications that the water had run here not so very long ago, and we could trace the course of the little streams round among little sandy islands.

A little stunted brush grew here but it was so brittle that the stems would break as easy as an icicle.
In order to not miss a possible bit of water we separated and agreed upon a general course, and that if either one found water he should fire his gun as a signal.

After about a mile or so had been gone over I heard Roger's gun and went in his direction.