midday
We have hardly begun yet . '' He made the boys ' eyes glow with excitement as he told them of the size of the hippopotami and elephants they would encounter , the height of the giraffes , and the furious nature of the rhinoceros , which beast seemed to be always mad if it saw a human being . As they were going to start next day it was decided to let the horses graze in peace with the oxen , which , after a fortnight 's rest , looked sleek-coated and in far better condition ; but Peter , Dirk , and Dinny were bidden to keep a strict watch over the cattle , for just before starting the General announced that he had seen a lion-spoor , apparently two days old . The day was passed very pleasantly , collecting , by Mr Rogers and his sons , several very beautiful birds falling to their guns , and their boxes being filled with splendidly burnished beetles ; and at last tired out , they turned to get back to the little camp by midday , hoping to find a satisfactory meal ready , for the General had gone out with a rifle in search of a bok ; and his two boys had taken their kiris and assegais , to see if they could not knock down a few of the large partridge or quail-like birds . What was their disappointment then to find that neither the General nor his sons had returned , while Dinny was in great distress . `` Sure , '' he said , `` I thought I 'd take a fishing-line and a shtick , and go to the big pool by the little river over yonder , and catch a few of the fish things ; bad cess to 'em , they 're no more like the fine salmon and throut of my own country than this baste of a place is its aiqual . '' `` Well , Dinny , and you went and did n't catch anything , '' said Dick .