and so often that it would wither now and die. He turned away in
sadness, and suddenly a bitter, burning thirst assailed him. It seemed
to have leaped into new life with the knowledge that there was nothing
now to assuage it.

The boy sat down on a small projection of brickwork, and considered his
case. He had been more than twelve hours without water under a fierce
sun. His thirst would not increase so fast at night, but it would
increase, nevertheless, and the Mexican force might linger below a week.
Certainly its camp was of such a character that it would remain at least
two or three days, and any risk was preferable to a death of thirst. He
could wait no longer.

Now chance which had been so cruel flung a straw his way. The night was
darker than usual. The moon and stars did not come out, and troops of
clouds stalked up from the southwest. Ned knew that it was a land of
little rain, and for a few moments he had a wild hope that in some
manner he might catch enough water for his use on the crest of the
pyramid. But reason soon drove the hope away. There was no depression
which would hold water, and he resolved instead to make the descent
under cover of the darkness.

When he had come to this resolution the thirst was not so fierce.
Indecision being over, both his physical and mental courage rose. He ate
and had left enough food to last for two days, which he fastened
securely in a pack to his body. Then, machete in hand, he looked over
the edge of the pyramid. There was some noise in the camp, but most of
the soldiers seemed to be at rest. Lights flickered here and there, and
the ruined city, showing only in fragments through the darkness, looked
more ghostly and mournful than ever.