noon
Thirty miles the first day , he said , and fifty the second day ; for by this division he would leave twenty-five miles for the third day ; and Joseph learnt that the captain had arranged the journey in this wise for the sake of the inns , for though they would meet an inn every twenty miles , there were but three good inns between Jerusalem and Tiberias . He had arranged too with a view to the rest at midday . Our way lies , he said , through the large shallow valley , and that is why I started at six . It is about four hours hence , so we shall be through it well before noon . But why must we pass through it before noon ? Joseph asked . Because , the captain answered , the rocks on either side are heated after noon like the walls of an oven , and man and beast choke in it .