about noon
I was awakened early in the morning by some huge body pressing close to mine , and opening my eyes with a start I beheld my blessed old Woola snuggling close to me ; the faithful brute had followed us across that trackless waste to share our fate , whatever it might be . Putting my arms about his neck I pressed my cheek close to his , nor am I ashamed that I did it , nor of the tears that came to my eyes as I thought of his love for me . Shortly after this Dejah Thoris and Sola awakened , and it was decided that we push on at once in an effort to gain the hills . We had gone scarcely a mile when I noticed that my thoat was commencing to stumble and stagger in a most pitiful manner , although we had not attempted to force them out of a walk since about noon of the preceding day . Suddenly he lurched wildly to one side and pitched violently to the ground . Dejah Thoris and I were thrown clear of him and fell upon the soft moss with scarcely a jar ; but the poor beast was in a pitiable condition , not even being able to rise , although relieved of our weight . Sola told me that the coolness of the night , when it fell , together with the rest would doubtless revive him , and so I decided not to kill him , as was my first intention , as I had thought it cruel to leave him alone there to die of hunger and thirst .