midday
It was found advisable to give these two some badge of office , for when they had become accustomed to the white men , they stopped the march for a violent discussion about the glittering jewel worn with such outrageous pride by the first man . The present of a red silk handkerchief to one , and of a tin box that had held meat tabloids to the other , restored peace . The handkerchief was converted into a turban , the box into a decoration for the breast , and then , chatting like a treeful of monkeys , the three guides went on at a quick pace . There was no midday rest , no halt for coffee-making ; they had evidently been told by Muata to hurry , and whenever their white men showed a tendency to slacken , they frowned , cracked their fingers , and capered about . Towards night , however , they descended from the upper road . `` Thank goodness , they 'll have to stop when it grows dark , '' sighed Venning . The little men gave a long rolling call by moving the hand before the mouth ; then two of them slipped away , and presently an answering call came out of the wood .