midday
One day the Arabs seemed to be filled with an unusual desire to torment their victims . A man had passed the band that day on a fast dromedary , and the prisoners conjectured that he might have brought news of some defeat of their friends , which would account for their increased cruelty . They were particularly hard on Molloy that day , as if they regarded him as typical of British strength , and , therefore , an appropriate object of revenge . After the midday rest , they not only put on him his ordinary burden , but added to the enormous weight considerably , so that the poor fellow staggered under it , and finally fell down beneath it , with a very dismal groan indeed ! Of course the lash was at once applied , and under its influence the sailor rose with great difficulty , and staggered forward a few paces , but only to fall again . This time , however , he did not wait for the lash , but made very determined efforts of his own accord to rise and advance , without showing the smallest sign of resentment . Even his captors seemed touched , for one of them removed a small portion of his burden , so that , thereafter , the poor fellow proceeded with less difficulty , though still with a little staggering and an occasional groan .