about noon
Daybreak found the party again passing swiftly over the land . It really seemed as if even the boys had received special strength for the occasion , for they neither lagged behind nor murmured , but kept well up during the whole forced march . No doubt that youthful enthusiasm to which Captain Trench had referred kept Olly up to the mark , while Osky -- as his friend called him -- had been inured to hard labour of every kind from infancy . At last , about noon that day , their leader came to a sudden halt , and pointed to something on the ground before him . `` What does he see ? '' asked Paul , in a low voice . `` Footprints , '' said Hendrick .