midday
`` And he might take my beautiful Shoes , '' said Dick . `` Or my lovely old Stockings , '' cried Jack , quite unconscious of how absurd his words sounded . `` We shall have to follow out the Zulu 's plan , my boys , '' said Mr Rogers ; `` and the sooner we try the better . '' The midday halt was called by a beautifully transparent pool of water , where some richly succulent grass awaited the cattle , and which for some hours they cropped , the heat being intense , and any object exposed to the full power of the sun soon becoming hot enough to burn the hand . Hot as it was , Dinny , being assured that the lion was not likely to attack in open daylight , lit a roaring fire , and soon had the pot simmering with its rich thick meat gravy , a basin round of which , and a portion of a cake made and baked upon an iron plate brought for the purpose , formed their dinner . Then there was a siesta , and at last , the most fiery hours being gone by , broad-brimmed straw hats were taken from the waggon -- for it was still intensely hot -- and the Zulu undertaking to lead the team on between two mountains through which the broad valley ran , the horses were saddled , rifles taken , and father and sons mounted to go on what might prove to be a very dangerous adventure . The first thing done was to carefully take in the bearings of the country , and then , after a few words of advice from the General -- whom Mr Rogers would have liked to have , only his presence was necessary with the waggon , he being the most trustworthy of their followers -- they rode on at a brisk canter through the crisp long grass , and amongst the bushes , and always onward towards the head of the valley , where , towering up , stood the twin mountains , which were like the ends of a couple of ridges or chains .