noon
They did not go far ; but choosing a large bushy tree to leeward , all three climbed up into it , and sat concealed among its branches . The field-cornet held his long `` roer '' in readiness , and so did Hendrik his rifle . In case the ingenious trap of Swartboy should fail , they intended to use their guns , but not otherwise . It was now quite noon , and the day had turned into one of the hottest . But for the shade afforded by the leaves , they would have felt it very distressing . Swartboy prognosticated favourably from this . The great heat would be more likely than anything else to send the elephant to his favourite sleeping-place under the cool shady cover of the cameel-doorn .