noon
The fourth day broke hotter than ever . In all the wilderness examined by the tired and strained eyes of the searchers , not a human being had been seen -- not even a wandering Navajo . This day they began the search with renewed vigor , but with the same monotonous result -- miles of hopelessly desert rock and sand beneath them , with a little vegetation now and then , but so sign of Indian remains . At noon Ned said : `` If we were not in a balloon with a compass and sextant I should say we were lost . And if Indians ever lived and died hereabouts they certainly left so signs of their bones . '' By six O'clock , with the sun gratefully low , Alan expressed discouragement . `` To-morrow at this time , '' he said , `` if we see no indication of the old palace or city or whatever it was -- if it ever was -- I think I 'll vote to try to find Camp Eagle and get out . ''