midday
yelled Dirk . The oxen slowly tugged at their yokes , the great trek-tow tightened , the wheels of the fine new waggon creaked ; and as Mr Rogers mounted the big bay , his sons took off and waved their caps , giving a loud cheer , for now they were really off to the wilds . There was but little in the way of incident for some time . The dogs seemed to be never weary of hunting here and there , thrusting their noses under every rock , their heads into every hole ; but they found nothing till after the midday halt , when a furious barking from the setter Rough ` un took the attention of all , and Mr Rogers and the boys cantered up to a thin cluster of trees , where , on what seemed to be at first a broken stump , but which on nearer inspection proved to be a tall ragged ant-hill , a vicious-looking snake was curled , swinging its head about threateningly , and darting out its forked tongue at the dog , which kept its distance , barking furiously . `` A poisonous fellow -- cobra evidently . Now , Dick , bring it down . '' `` No ; let Jack shoot , father , '' said Dick .