rustling like paper flowers.

"This," said I to Hawk, "was last year's water-mark in the rainy
season."

"That's gospel," said Hawk; "and what would you make out o' that
observation?"

He smiled his queer whimsical smile.

"Why, I guess we shall be swamped out of this camp in a month's time."

"Yes; practically the 'ole of this, up to this level, will be under
water."

"Then what's the good of starting to dig a big permanent hospital here
when----?"

"Yours not to reason why," said Hawk; "it's a way they have in the
army; but I'm not bothering."

Each section dug in shifts day after day until the men were worn out
with digging.

Then the long, flat rain-clouds appeared one morning over the distant
range of mountains.

"You see them," said Hawk, lighting a "woodbine," and pointing across
the Salt Lake; "that's the first sign of the wet season coming up."