midday
Quite a change seemed to have come over the General , as Dick aptly dubbed their Zulu guide ; for though he gave way in everything connected with the management of the waggon , and was exceedingly respectful to Mr Rogers , no sooner did any hunting matter come to the front , or a question of the best direction to take , than he seemed to take the lead as if in spite of himself . At first Mr Rogers felt annoyed , and ready to put the man down ; but in a very short time he saw that the Zulu 's sole thought was for the success of the expedition , and that his actions were the natural results of his former life ; for , savage though he was , and servant to this expedition , he had been a prince in his own tribe , and a leader amongst the people . The night was coming on fast , when one day , after a long and weary trek , the heavily-laden waggon was approaching a belt of elevated forest-land , where the General had assured Mr Rogers they would find water . It had been a toilsome day , hot and dusty , and at their midday rest there had been hardly a mouthful of herbage for the tired oxen , while water there was none . The contents of the two casks swinging behind the waggon were jealously guarded for the travellers ' use ; but so miserable did the cattle seem that the two boys asked their father to tap one of them for the oxen and horses . `` It will be but a taste a-piece , '' he said ; `` but perhaps you are right , boys . '' Then the tap being set running , every ox and horse had a refreshing taste , though it was hard work to get the pail away from each thirsty mouth .