about three o’clock
Accordingly we started at dawn , I , Indaba-zimbi , and three men ; the rest I left with the waggons . I was on horseback , and so was my driver , a good rider and a skilful shot for a Kaffir , but Indaba-zimbi and the others walked . From dawn till mid-day we followed the trail of the herd , which was as plain as a high road . Then we off-saddled to let the horses rest and feed , and about three o'clock started on again . Another hour or so passed , and still there was no sign of elephants . Evidently the herd had travelled fast and far , and I began to think that we should have to give it up , when suddenly I caught sight of a brown mass moving through the thorn-trees on the side of a slope about a quarter of a mile away . My heart seemed to jump into my mouth .