about an hour before
midday
I heard Brace ask the colonel . `` Till I overtake them , '' said my father , rather coldly . And I could see a determined look in his eyes which made me think of Ny Deen , and something like a hope that he might escape would come into my mind . On again , after a brief halt for refreshment , and about an hour before midday advantage was taken of a great mango tope for another halt ; but as soon as the sun began to decline we were off again , with the track plain before us . Ah , it is slow work marching under a hot Indian sun ; but no one complained , tramping steadily on with scouts well out in front , till it was dark , when there was another rest till midnight ; and on again in the cool moonlight , with the men on the gun-limbers asleep , and those mounted nodding and swaying in their saddles , as if ready to come down . But no one fell , and the march seemed to me part of some strange dream , till the stars paled , and the orange sun came up , growing hotter and hotter , till we were all anxiously looking out for our next halting-place , and wondering how many more days must elapse before we should overtake Ny Deen . It was sooner than we expected , for somewhere about nine o'clock there was a little excitement on in front .