noon
But no sooner did the first ray illuminate the woods with a silvery hue , than Zbyszko arose and awoke the others , and at dawn they continued their march . The tracks of the hoofs of Arnold 's immense stallion were easily recovered , because the usual muddy ground had dried up from drought . Sanderus went on ahead and soon disappeared . Nevertheless , they found him about half way between sunrise and noon , at the waiting place . He told them that he had not seen any living soul , only one large aurochs , but was not scared and did not run away , because the animal got out of his way . But he declared that shortly before , he had seen a peasant bee-keeper , but had not detained him , for fear that in the depths of the forest there might be more of them . He had attempted to question him , but they had not been able to make themselves understood .