noon
The truth is that I was by no means keen on being involved in his private war with Bangu . Indeed , I wished to wash my hands of the whole matter , including the fair Mameena and her mocking eyes . So one morning , having already got up my oxen , I told Scowl to inspan them -- an order which he received with joy , for he and the other boys wished to be off to civilisation and its delights . Just as the operation was beginning , however , a message came to me from old Umbezi , who begged me to delay my departure till after noon , as a friend of his , a big chief , had come to visit him who wished much to have the honour of making my acquaintance . Now , I wished the big chief farther off , but , as it seemed rude to refuse the request of one who had been so kind to me , I ordered the oxen to be unyoked but kept at hand , and in an irritable frame of mind walked up to the kraal . This was about half a mile from my place of outspan , for as soon as I was sufficiently recovered I had begun to sleep in my wagon , leaving the big hut to the `` Worn-out-Old-Cow . '' There was no particular reason why I should be irritated , since time in those days was of no great account in Zululand , and it did not much matter to me whether I trekked in the morning or the afternoon .