The sheep could not travel fast, for many of them were footsore with their hurried journey; but they had found plenty of nourishment in the grass at the bottoms, and in the foliage of the bushes and, being so supplied, had suffered little from thirst.
Jim, before starting, had pointed out the exact line they were to follow, and this they kept by compass.

With only one or two short halts, they kept on until nightfall and, leaving the sheep in a grassy bottom, lit their fire on the crest above it, in order that its flame might serve as a guide to Jim, should he get back with the horses before daylight.
There was but little talking, before each stretched himself at length before the fire.

They had been twenty-four hours without sleep, and all were now suffering severely from thirst.

The last drops in the water bottles had been emptied, early in the day; and they were parched not only by the heat of the sun, but by the stifling dust raised by the flock as they travelled.
There had been but little supper eaten.

Indeed, most of them contented themselves with chewing pieces of raw meat, to satisfy their thirst rather than their hunger.