noon
Staines was compelled to own to himself he had less faith in human goodness than the savage had . He said to himself , `` He is my superior . He is the master of this dreadful diamond , and I am its slave . '' Next day they went on till noon , and then they halted at a really delightful spot ; a silver kloof ran along a bottom , and there was a little clump of three acacia-trees that lowered their long tresses , pining for the stream , and sometimes getting a cool grateful kiss from it when the water was high . They halted the horse , bathed in the stream , and lay luxurious under the acacias . All was delicious languor and enjoyment of life . The Hottentot made a fire , and burnt the remains of a little sort of kangaroo Staines had shot him the evening before ; but it did not suffice his maw , and looking about him , he saw three elands leisurely feeding about three hundred yards off .