STILL IN PURSUIT. 159 



" Yes, by Jove ! it takes it out of one ! " agreed 

 Hawkes. " My mouth is as dry as dust. I can't 

 go any further without a drink." 



" Take this bit of sugar-candy," said Norman, 

 offering him a small piece of that sweet. " Better 

 not drink till positively obliged. The more one 

 takes, the more one requires ; and we shall have a 

 good stride yet before we reach that ravine." 



Norman was, however, over-ruled, and, perhaps, 

 not unwillingly so ; for he followed their example, 

 and took a long pull at the chogul of water which 

 was now brought up. 



Rugonauth, also, now joined them, and urged an 

 immediate advance. 



" Oh, Lord ! " said Mackenzie, as he prepared to 

 act on the shikaree's advice, " I feel as if I was 

 melting ! What a thundering hot day it is ! I 

 hope the bear will have the grace to be killed com- 

 fortably and quietly when next we see him, without 

 any more bother." 



" Well, en avant, mes braves ! we must lose no 

 time," said Norman, who was a trifle fresher than 

 the others ; and again they moved on, crossing 

 several spurs and many nullahs before they reached 

 the place they were making for. 



It was some little time before a sufficient number 

 of men to beat could be collected ; and ere the line, 



