midday
Foreseeing a scarcity of provisions in the event of a siege , Meyer , provident as ever , had already decreed the death of the tetse-bitten cattle . These were accordingly despatched , and having been skinned and cut up , their flesh was severed into long strips to be dried in the burning sun as biltong , which secretly Benita hoped she might never be called upon to eat . Yet the time was to come when she would swallow that hard , tetse-poisoned flesh with thankfulness . At midday , after they had eaten , Mr. Clifford and Meyer went to the Molimo , where he sat against the second wall , and , pointing to the men with the guns , said : `` We have fulfilled our bargain . Now fulfil yours . Lead us to the holy place that we may begin our search . '' `` So be it , '' he answered .