midday may
It is afternoon , but the sun 's rays still pour down with great power upon rock and sand . How great the heat has been at midday may be seen by the quivering of the air as it rises from the ground and blurs all distant objects . It is seen , too , in the attitudes and appearance of a large body of soldiers encamped in a grove . Their arms are thrown aside , the greater portion of their clothing has been dispensed with . Some lie stretched on the ground in slumber , their faces protected from any chance rays which may find their way through the foliage above by little shelters composed of their clothing hung on two bows or javelins .