He saw presently two or three dark heaps near him, and as his eyes grew used to the darkness he made out camp equipage and supplies.  The smallest heap which was also nearest to him, consisted of large metal canteens for water, such as soldiers of that day carried.  His thirst suddenly made itself manifest again.  Doubtless those canteens contained water, and his body which wanted water so badly cried aloud for it.

It was not recklessness but a burning thirst which caused him to creep toward the little heap of canteens at the imminent risk of being discovered.  When he reached them he lay flat on the ground and took one from the top.  He knew by its lack of weight that it was empty, and he laid it aside.  Then he paused for a glance at the sentinel who was still walking steadily on his beat, and whom he now saw very clearly.

He was disappointed to find the first canteen empty, but he was convinced that some in that heap must contain water, and he would persevere.  The second and third failed him in like manner, but he would yet persevere.  The fourth was heavy, and when he shook it gently he heard the water plash.  That thirst at once became burning and uncontrollable.  The cry of his body to be assuaged overpowered his will, and while deadly danger menaced he unscrewed the little mouthpiece and drank deep and long.  It was not cold and perhaps a little mud lurked at the bottom of the canteen, but like the gift of the water palm it brought fresh life and strength.

He put down the canteen half empty and took another from the heap.  It, too, proved to be filled, and he hung it around neck and shoulder by the strap provided for that purpose.  He could have found no more precious object for the dry regions through which he intended to make his journey.

Ned went back toward the pyramid, but his joy over finding the water made him a little careless.  Great fragments of stone lay about everywhere, and his foot slipped on a piece of black basalt.  He fell and the metal of his canteen rang against the stone.

He sprang to his feet instantly, but the sentinel had taken the alarm and as Ned’s sombrero had slipped back he saw the fair face.  He knew that it was the face of no Mexican, and shouting “Gringo!” he fired straight at him.  Luckily, haste and the darkness prevented good aim, although he was at short range.  But Ned felt the swish of the bullet so close to him that every nerve jumped, and he jumped with them.  The first jump took him half way to the pyramid and the next landed him at its base.  There the second nearest sentinel fired at him and he heard the bullet flatten itself against the stone.