noon
Towards evening he returned , reporting that he had seen plenty of buck , but could not get near them , which was just what his master expected . That night they passed hungry , by turns watching Juanna , who was still delirious . At dawn Otter started out again , leaving Leonard , who had been unable to sleep as on the previous night , crouched at Juanna 's side , his face buried in his hands . Before noon Leonard chanced to look up , and saw the dwarf reeling towards him , for he also was faint with want of food . Indeed his great head and almost naked body , through the skin of which the misshapen bones seemed to start in every direction , presented so curious a spectacle that his master , whose brain was shaken by weakness , began to laugh . `` Do n't laugh , Baas , '' gasped the dwarf ; `` either I am mad , or we are saved . '' `` Then I think that you must be mad , Otter , for we shall take a deal of saving , '' he answered wearily , for he had ceased to believe in good fortune .