midday
Equally fortunate their not having need to kindle a fire . In their haversacks they carry provisions already cooked . Dismounting , they lead their males in among the trees , and there make them secure by looping the bridles to a branch . Then , laying themselves along the earth , they eat their midday meal , pull out their pipes , and follow it with a smoke . With little thought , they are burning the last bit of tobacco which remained to the refugees . At parting , their generous host , to comfort them on their journey , presented them with the ultimate ounce of his stock ; with true Spanish politeness saying nothing of this . As they lie watching the blue film curling up among the branches of the black-jacks , as little do they reflect how fortunate for them it is not the smoke of a fire , nor visible at any great distance .