It was
a letter. When Frank reached the ambulance tears were in his eyes as
he handed me a yellow envelope.
"Found it on the head of a barrel over there, with a stone on it to
prevent it from blowing away."
Breaking open the envelope with trembling fingers, I read:
"TYSON'S WELLS.
"DEAR LIEUTENANT.--Please accept four barrels of water and
four bushels of corn, with my compliments.
"GRAY."
Need I confess the emotions with which we realized the service this
brave Arizona merchant had done us? or need I mention that Mr.
Gray--God bless him, wherever he may be!--is always remembered with
gratitude by me? for this is no idle incident invented to amuse a
reader, but an actual occurrence.
Water!--four barrels!--one hundred and sixty gallons! That meant two
gallons for every man and boy, and eight gallons for each animal. It
meant rest, speed, safety.
We moved across the ravine and found the four barrels by the
road-side. The animals were secured to the ambulance and the acacia
bushes, the heads of the barrels removed, and after each person had
satisfied his thirst the camp kettles were used, until horses and
mules had drunk the contents of one each.
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