"As you say, there would be no horses to keep if the place were held by foot." "Exactly," said the Colonel, who seemed much interested in the drawing of the water, and listened intently to the echoes of the splashing from the impromptu buckets.

"Why, Denham, that tank seems to be of great size; quite a reservoir, and tremendously deep." "It is, sir," said Denham dryly; "only it isn't a tank." "What is it, then--a well ?" "No, sir: a gold-mine," said Denham in a low tone.
The Colonel looked at him sternly, and then smiled.
"Oh, I see.

Metaphorical," he said.

"Yes, to thirsty folk a perfect gold-mine.

Liquid gold--eh ?" "You don't understand me, sir," said Denham quietly.