about noon
`` Tell us where you first met him , '' we said , crowding nearer the convict to hear his story . `` Wait until we halt for a rest and feed the cattle . Half a mile from here is a small stream of water , and under the shade of some trees near at hand , we 'll boil our coffee , and then I 'll tell you about my first meeting with Black Darnley . '' As it was about noon , and we had travelled near twelve miles , the proposed halt was any thing but disagreeable . Besides , the sun was nearly overhead , burning and scorching us with its intense rays , and causing the oxen to protrude their tongues and drag their weary feet along as though they hardly possessed life enough to reach the water spoken of . A sharp crack of Smith 's whip and the cattle started into life again ; and as he continued to flourish the dreaded lash over their heads , they kept up their speed until we reached the stream , which slowly trickled through dry plains , with scorched grass and withered shrubs ; but , near the banks of the river , which during the rainy season became a mighty torrent , green trees and rank grass afforded an agreeable shade from the burning sun . The cattle were unyoked , and allowed to wander where they pleased , Smith being confident of finding them near the water when he got ready to start .