Buddy thought perhaps mother was sick.
That day lasted hours and hours longer than any other day that Buddy could remember.

His father looked cross, too, when he rode back to them.
Once it was to look at the map which mother had studied.

They talked together afterwards, and Buddy heard his father say that she must not worry; the cattle had good bottom, and could stand thirst better than a poor herd, and another dry camp would not really hurt anyone.
He had uncovered the water barrel and looked in, and had ridden straight over to the chuck-wagon, his horse walking alongside the high seat where Step-and-a-Half sat perched listlessly with a long-lashed oxwhip in his hand.

Father had talked for a few minutes, and had ridden back scowling.
"That old scoundrel has got two ten-gallon kegs that haven't been touched!" he told mother.

"Yo' all mustn't water any more horses out of your barrel Send the boys to Step-and-a-Half.