nearly noon before
It was unnecessary for Schoverling and the boys to shoot game , for the Masai could spear all that was needed without trouble , two or three of them going up-wind and driving the game past the hiding-place of the rest . The next morning they were off with the dawn , in high hopes of reaching the lake , for the water in the stream seemed warmer than usual , though the explorer laid this to imagination . The country was open enough for the wagon to proceed without hindrance at a little way from the vegetation of the river . In the course of the morning Charlie descried what looked like grass huts ahead , but as they did not dare leave the wagon it was nearly noon before they came up to the little village . `` Deserted , of course , '' exclaimed the General when they drew near . `` Old and broken down , too , '' added Jack . `` They 're pretty well covered with vines and creepers , and that hut over on the left is a -- why , all those mounds are old huts , General ! ''