noon
All that day Leothric drove him with his stick , and at night both held their ground ; and when the dawn of the third day was come the heart of Tharagavverug beat slower and fainter . It was as though a tired man was ringing a bell . Once Tharagavverug nearly seized a frog , but Leothric snatched it away just in time . Towards noon the dragon-crocodile lay still for a long while , and Leothric stood near him and leaned on his trusty stick . He was very tired and sleepless , but had more leisure now for eating his provisions . With Tharagavverug the end was coming fast , and in the afternoon his breath came hoarsely , rasping in his throat . It was as the sound of many huntsmen blowing blasts on horns , and towards evening his breath came faster but fainter , like the sound of a hunt going furious to the distance and dying away , and he made desperate rushes towards the village ; but Leothric still leapt about him , battering his leaden nose .