noon
The latter had two favoured followers -- young Hassan , partly of Arab birth , who acted as his gun-bearer ; and a huge negro , a freed man , Sambroko by name , possessed of prodigious strength and courage . These two had followed their master 's example , and supplied themselves with gourds of water , two of which the negro carried slung round his neck . For some hours the caravan proceeded as rapidly as at first . It was hoped that a stream would be found soon after noon , where Abdullah promised to halt to give the men the rest they so much needed ; but noon was passed , already the sun was in their eyes , and no stream was seen . To halt now would be to lose precious time . With parched lips and starting eyeballs the men pushed on , and , instead of songs and jokes , cries and groans were heard on every side . Now a weary pagazi sank down , declaring that he could carry his load no longer ; now another and another followed his example .