noon
Indeed I did this to give them the opportunity of escaping if they saw fit , and hiding themselves where they would . But as I have often noted , the trade of hunting breeds honesty in the blood and at the hour appointed all of these men appeared , one of them with a woman who carried a child in her arms , clinging to him and weeping bitterly . When her veil slipped aside I saw that she was young and very fair to look on . So at noon we left the city of the Great King in the charge of two of his officers who brought me his thanks for the bow I had sent him , which he said he should treasure above everything he possessed , a saying at which Bes rolled his yellow eyes and grinned . We were mounted on splendid stallions from the royal stables and clad in the shirts of mail that had been presented to us , though when we were clear of the city we took these off because of the heat , also because that which Bes wore chafed him , being too long for his squat shape . Our goods together with the bags of gold were laden on sumpter horses which were led by my six hunter slaves . Four picked soldiers brought up the rear , mighty men from the King 's own bodyguard , and two of the royal postmen who served us as guides .