noon
He did not always have to carry him , as part of the time the boy trotted along by his side . During the fore part of the day the young Scotchman with his charge easily kept up with his companions , and some of the time might be seen a little in advance of them . His kind attentions to the boy were observed by Golah , who showed some sign of human feeling , by exhibiting a contortion of his features intended for a smile . Towards noon , Colin appeared to become fatigued with the toil of the journey , and then fell back to the rear , as he had done the evening before . Again the anxious mother , ever mindful of the welfare of her offspring , was seen to check her camel , and wait until Colin and the boy overtook her . Sailor Bill had been much surprised at Colin 's conduct the evening before , especially at the patient manner in which the youth had submitted to the task of looking after the child . There was a mystery in the young Scotchman 's behaviour he could not comprehend , a mystery that soon became more profound .