noon
Hendrik , Arend , and Hans accompanied Macora with some reluctance , partly because they believed that flight was no longer necessary . `` Never mind , '' urged Groot Willem , to encourage them . `` It will only last two days longer , and we are going to a part of the country we have not yet visited . '' Before noon , there was some reason for believing that Macora had reasoned aright . A party of the Matabili suddenly appeared in advance of the route they were pursuing . It was not large enough to attempt opposing the progress of the Makololo , and , on seeing the latter , fled . In the afternoon , some scouts that had been left in the rear hastened with the news that a large body of the enemy was coming up in pursuit .