The line of shouting men had at least the advantage that it enabled Ralph to keep a fairly straight course, as the sound of voices told him if he was deviating much to the right or left.
"We may not be going right," he said to his companion, "but at least we have the satisfaction of knowing that we are not moving in a circle." After some hours' marching Ralph, to his great delight, came upon a hill rill of water.
"Thank goodness," he said, "we have got a guide at last.

If we follow this we must get somewhere.

We need not go on in this tedious way, but will halt here till all the men come up." It was half an hour before the sergeant arrived.
"We have got a guide now, sergeant, and can push on.

I suppose you have no idea what stream this is, Mr.Fitzgibbon ?" "Not at present," the officer admitted.

"There are scores of these little rills about.