midday
`` But there 'll be no bok for dinner , '' said Jack ruefully . `` Never mind , '' replied Mr Rogers . `` I daresay the boys will bring in something . '' He was right , for Coffee and Chicory brought in six great plain partridges , which they had knocked down with their kiris , and these were roasted at the midday meal , and eaten with the appetite found in the desert . As the day wore on , and after the refreshed oxen were once more doing their duty , the effects of the last night 's scare began to show itself , Peter , Dirk , and Dinny declaring that they had seen lions creeping after the waggon in the distance , ready to pounce upon the oxen as soon as it was dark . Dirk reported this to Mr Rogers , who gave them all a good , talking to about their cowardice . `` Why , look at these Zulu boys , '' he cried ; `` they do n't show any fear , while you grown men are almost as bad as children . ''