Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/40

14 But we still had to struggle with a greater evil—want of fresh water—for although we had filled our leaky barrels and casks, because of the furious attack of the natives and our haste to get on board, we had not been able to bring them off. Our thirst was intense. The only way we could in some measure refresh our parched tongues was to hold the edge of our axes between our lips. Oh, what a fearful undertaking it is to venture out on the discovery of new countries! Those alone can form idea of it who have gone through its hard school.