midday
It will be better than pressing bearers into our service , more than we absolutely want for grass-cutters . We must keep our train as small as possible now . '' So the elephants were brought out , and the mahouts duly admonished upon the dangers they would run if they attempted any treachery . Loads were adjusted , and just at midday , when the sun was hottest , our little column was set in motion , and we marched out of the little town that we had watched so intently , hardly able to realise how successful we had been . There were plenty of people about , old men and boys , and there was a sullen , lowering look in their amber eyes as we rode by , but no voice was raised against us , so wholesome a dread had they of the guns , of whose power they had all more or less heard -- a power which might at any moment be directed against their homes . To the delight of all , the horses proved to be in admirable condition , and in their excitement and glee , the men never seemed to trouble about the heat , but rode on , chatting together and discussing the morning 's feat and the value of the long , careful drilling , whose results had been shown in the way in which the horses had behaved . The road was dusty , but fairly good ; and as the three elephants shuffled slowly along , I ventured to approach the one which bore Craig , time after time , but generally to find that he was sleeping , and upon calling the doctor 's attention to the fact , he said abruptly -- `` Best thing for him .