noon
There was little left of the sheep to carry with us ; but Rayburn shot half a dozen birds , some species of duck , as we skirted the lake in our passage across the valley , so there was no fear that we should lack for food . At its western end the valley narrowed into a cañon . There was no choice of paths , for this was the sole outlet , and we were assured that we were on the right path by finding the King 's symbol and the pointing arrow carved upon the rook . The cañon descended very rapidly , and by noon we were so far below the level of the Mexican plateau that the air had a tropical warmth in it ; and so warm was the night -- for all the afternoon we continued to descend -- that we had no need for blankets when we settled ourselves for sleep . Rayburn was of the opinion that we were close upon the Tierra Caliente , the hot lands of the coast ; and when we resumed our march in the morning he went on in advance of the rest of us , that he might maintain a cautious outlook . If he were right in his conjecture as to our whereabouts , we might at any moment come upon hostile Indians . It was towards noon that he came softly back to us and bade us lay down our packs and advance silently with him , carrying only our arms .