He took his machete, went to the tree, and cut quickly, because
his thirst was very great.
The gash opened, but not a drop came forth.
CHAPTER V
IN THE PYRAMID
Ned stared, half in amazement, half in despair. Yet he had known all the
while that this would happen. The palm had emptied every drop from its
veins and arteries for him, giving life for life. He had cut so deeply
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.
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