midday
The king was disappointed at the party going so soon ; but a present of a bottle of sweets , and some ammunition , brought smiles into his face -- smiles that grew broader as he heard that they would stop if possible at the town as they came back . They started at sunrise , so as to get a good trek over before the heat of the day should commence , and with oxen well rested and in excellent condition they got over the ground pretty swiftly for an oxen-team . The horses too were fresh , and so full of excitement and fun that the dogs were taken , after the particular mountain to which they intended to make had been marked down ; and the boys had a good canter , Coffee and Chicory thoroughly enjoying the excitement , and keeping up with the two cobs with the greatest ease . The mountain was reached in due time , a midday halt indulged in , and after a good long rest they continued their journey , so as to get well beyond reach of Moseti 's town , and away from the interruptions that might have resulted in their being too near the king . But the General had no intention of going far after the fine promise he had seen for game ; and two days ' march away from the town he proposed that they should halt , and make a good strong kraal for the horses in the place he selected . It was admirably adapted for the purpose , there being an abundance of thorns , with a steep rocky escarpment to act as the back of the kraal . Besides this , there was a spring of beautifully clear water gushing from amongst the rocks , which rose right up here into mountains .