Desperate men will sometimes develop superhuman power, and I think when Torrence next went to work upon the nerve-trying mechanism of the vibrator, he must have made an abnormal effort. However this may have been, the ship arose with renewed energy, and darted through the air with a speed that astonished us both. This sudden accession of power lasted for quite two hours, and when she sunk again to earth the rugged hills were wonderfully near. Again he tried his hand upon the splendid structure, but at last it was evident that neither nature nor art would respond. He was too weak to adjust the vibrator, and without the vibrator the vessel would not rise. We strained every nerve, and made every shift imaginable, but she would not budge. Torrence was lying upon the deck, unable to move after the terrific struggle below, for the adjustment of the parts required not only physical force, but the exercise of nearly every sense as well. The hearing, the sight, the touch, must all be in perfect condition, and the strain of bringing these up to par, when so far below their normal state, was terrible, and now quite beyond his ability to achieve. "How far are the hills?" he asked in a hoarse whisper. "Hills," I answered, "my dear boy, they are towering cliffs of sheer rock." "And do you see no vegetation among them?" "None. Indeed, so far as I can tell there is not a shovelful of soil in the range!" "But there must be water," he insisted, although I could see no sign of any from where I stood, nor could I admit to myself that the prospect was against it. "There may be," was all I could answer. "Gurt, old man, it is our only chance. You must go afoot." "Alone?" "Yes, alone, for I am not able to move. Do you think you can reach it?" "I will try; but do not get out of heart. If there is any water to be had I will find it. Yes, and I will bring it to you, dear boy. Don’t give up. I promise." "God bless you. If I could go I would, but I can’t!" was all he said. I then staggered down the ladder and wandered off, hardly knowing how or where, in search of water, for one drink of which I would have sacrificed the entire wealth of our cargo. Keeping the dark cliffs in view, I bent my steps toward them with a strange misgiving. The sand lay hot and deep in ridges, undulations, and depressions, like the swell of the ocean; characteristics which had not been so pronounced until I found myself crossing them afoot, and walking over waves into which I sank shoe deep at every step. Full of pain, and exhausted I plunged ahead, dazed and bewildered, conscious only that I was making the last effort for our salvation. On and on I trudged toward those terrible precipitous rocks ahead, at a rate which could not have carried me more than a couple of miles in a single hour; and at last I sank down exhausted to rest.