about noon
We had evidence the following day of the destructive power of the wild beasts . The caravan was already in motion , the chief men and the baggage camels being in front , a small guard only bringing up the rear . Halliday , Ben , and I , with our young negro companion Selim , were tending the flocks placed under our charge -- several of those belonging to other families of the tribe being on the outside of us . It was about noon , and the rays of the sun struck down between the lofty branches , rendering the heat almost insupportable . As we were moving on we observed the camels ahead hesitating to advance , notwithstanding the efforts of their drivers to urge them forward . A cry was then quickly passed from rank to rank that wild beasts were at hand ; and the guards looked to their firearms . Suddenly a huge panther leapt from a thicket almost into the midst of the nearest flock .