His hand went instinctively to his canteen. With a great effort after many trials he found it, but the hand was too weak to carry it to his lips. Pep watched these feeble efforts with dismay, his master was usually so strong and decided in his movements. He had seen men in the hospital act just like this. His master must be sick, indeed.
Again the doctor rested and Pep waited, not knowing what to do.
Finally, with a deep sigh, the physician raised the canteen slowly to his lips. He was at least a minute in performing this simple act, but when his fevered, parched lips closed over the nozzle, the canteen was found to be entirely empty. With a groan he let it fall and sank back discouraged. Pep was quick to notice the distress in his master’s voice when he again addressed him.
“Pep, old comrade, I am dying for the want of a little water. Water, Pep, I want some water.”
The dog listened intently, but could not catch the man’s meaning, so he gave him another score of dog kisses.
The doctor reached down and lifted up the empty canteen. “See here, Pep, old comrade, I want water. I am dying for water.”
Pep whimpered softly, echoing his master’s agonized tones. Then the gleam of a wonderful idea shot through the doctor’s brain. It was an inspiration, a thought the good God who watched over all his children had given him. He laughed as he considered it dazedly. It seemed feasible. Anyhow it was his only hope. He would try it.
“Pep,” he said, lifting the canteen feebly and tossing it a few feet away.
The dog at once sprang to the canteen and brought it in his mouth to his master.
“Good dog, we’ll try again. This time he tossed it towards the brook, which was about twenty feet away. Again Pep retrieved the canteen. Then the doctor threw the canteen as far towards the brook as he could, having first removed the top. It fell just a little short, but Pep brought it to him, thinking it a fine game.
The next time the physician had the satisfaction of hearing it drop in the water. Pep was after it in a flash. This was great fun.
To the doctor’s disgust there were only a few drops of water in the canteen when the dog returned with it as he had held it on its side. But even these few drops were most grateful to the parched tongue. The next time they had much better luck. Pep by accident held it by the nozzle and the doctor found the canteen half full of water. He seized it with delight and drank long and deep. Then he petted and praised Pep generously and with a deep sigh of satisfaction lay down to rest.