Phil was right. It was a little lake set down among hills, with a rim of tall forest. It was almost circular, and about a hundred yards in diameter. They rode into it until their horses were up to their bodies. They let them drink copiously, and then rode back to the bank, after which they were out with the tin cups again and took their fill, finding the water not only pure but cold. Then Philip Bedford sat down on the grass and looked at the lake. A light wind was making silver lacework of its surface. Beyond it, and apparently for some distance, fine, tall trees stood. Abundant grass, sheltered by the hills, grew in the open places. At the far edge of the lake a dozen wild ducks swam, evidently not yet understanding human presence. The silver of the water and the green of the grass were like a lotion to the boy’s eyes, used so long to the brazen sun and the hot sand. He looked and looked, and then he cried: "I think this must be heaven!" Nobody laughed. Every one had the same feeling. They had come from the desert, and the power of contrast was so great that the little lake with its trees and grass was, in truth, like a foretaste of heaven. They took everything from the horses, even the bridles, and turned them loose. There was no danger that they would wander from such a place. Then John Bedford began to take off his clothes. "I’m going to have a swim," he said. "I haven’t had a real bath in more than three years, and, after this last march of ours, I think I’m carrying at least a hundred pounds of unpleasant desert about my body." "Me, too," said Phil. "Bet you ten thousand acres of desert that I beat you into the water." "Go ahead, boys," said Breakstone, "and Hans and I will watch and decide. Remember that you mustn’t have on a single garment when you jump, or you’ll be disqualified." Breakstone had scarcely finished the words when two white bodies flashed through the air and struck the water with two splashes that were one in sound. Both disappeared beneath the surface and then came up, spluttering and splashing and swimming with bold strokes. "A tie," said Bill Breakstone. Hans Arenberg nodded. The brothers found the water much colder than they had expected, but they swam so vigorously that they were soon in a fine glow. Bill Breakstone looked at Hans Arenberg. Hans Arenberg looked at Bill Breakstone. "Why not?" said Bill. "It iss what we ought to do," said Arenberg.