about noon
One word , in her low , plaintive voice , she said , asking whether they might not sleep in the large shed which stands there . But this was manifestly impossible . At such a pace they would never reach Greytown ; and she spoke no further word when he told her that they must go on . At about noon that day the file of travellers formed itself into the line which it afterwards kept during the whole of the journey , and then started by the narrow path into the forest . First walked the leader of the guides , then another man following him ; Abel Ring came next , and behind him the maid-servant ; then the baby 's mule , with the Indian ever at its head ; close at his heels followed Mrs. Arkwright , so that the mother 's eye might be always on her child ; and after her her husband ; then another guide on foot completed the number of the travellers . In this way they went on and on , day after day , till they reached the banks of the Serapiqui , never once varying their places in the procession . As they started in the morning , so they went on till their noon-day 's rest , and so again they made their evening march .