midday
`` No , I do not wonder . '' Next morning at daybreak they trekked on , always through these evidences of dead , forgotten people . They had not more than ten miles to cover to reach their long journey 's end , but the road , if so it could be called , ran up-hill , and the oxen , whereof only fourteen were now left to drag the heavy-laden waggon , were thin and footsore , so that their progress was very slow . Indeed , it was past midday when at length they began to enter what by apology might be called the town of Bambatse . `` When we go away from this , it will have to be by water , I think , unless we can buy trek-cattle , '' said Meyer , looking at the labouring oxen with a doubtful eye . `` Why ? '' asked Mr. Clifford anxiously .