eight o'clock
Fenshawe , Royson and Irene , with some of the sailors , formed the advance guard . Then came the _ kafila _ proper , with the remainder of the _ Aphrodite 's _ crew , under Stump 's charge , as a rearguard . They had halted for breakfast , and were preparing for another long march before the heat of the sun enforced a rest , when Hussain overtook them . At eight o'clock Alfieri had not visited the _ rendezvous _ , nor was he to be seen an hour later from the summit of the last hill which gave a view of the oasis . Ill news is little the better because it is expected , and every one was wishful to push on as quickly as possible . But the desert was inexorable in its limitations . Great speed means great exhaustion , and consequently greater demand for water .