midday
And without further ado they plunged into the rapid . In the centre of the stream the water was strong and deep , and for a few yards swept the horses off their legs , but they struck out boldly till they found their footing again ; and after that there was no more trouble . On the farther side of the river John took counsel with his compass , and they steered a course straight for Mooifontein . At midday they off-saddled the horses for an hour by some water , and ate a small portion of their remaining food . Then they up-saddled and went on across the lonely , desolate veldt . No human being did they see all that long day . The wide country was tenanted only by great herds of game that went thundering past like squadrons of cavalry , or here and there by coteries of vultures , hissing and fighting furiously over some dead buck .