midday
Colonel Dermont searched the jungle for some distance around but could not find the other jungle-cocks that had answered the dead one 's challenge . Looking at his watch he suggested a halt for lunch , which Wargrave , whose back was beginning to ache with fatigue , gladly agreed to . Dismounting , they sat on the ground and ate and drank the contents of the pockets of Badshah 's pad , but with loaded rifles beside them lest their meal should be disturbed by any dangerous denizen of the jungle . The two natives sat down some distance away and , turning their backs on each other , drew out cloths in which their midday repast of _ chupatis _ , or thick pancakes , with curry and an onion or two was tied up . The elephants left to themselves grazed close by and did not attempt to wander away . Their meal and a smoke finished the party mounted again and moved on . But luck seemed to have deserted them .