The boy lay like a grey skeleton in his arms, the bones of his face almost cutting the skin. His mouth was open. His tongue was black and swollen, like that of a man dying of thirst.
Kuna’s sunken, fever-yellowed eyes opened. They found the tub, in which soiled clothing still floated.
With a surge of strength that took Tex completely by surprise, the boy broke from him and ran to the water, plunging his face in and gulping like an animal.
Tex pulled him away. Kuna sagged down, sobbing. There was something wrong about his face, but Tex couldn’t think what.
“Won’t let me drink,” he whispered. “Still won’t let me drink. Got to have water.” He clawed at Tex. “Water!”
Tex sent someone after it, trying to think what was strange about Kuna, scowling. There were springs of sweet water in the
