two hours after noon
So when they had drunk their fill , for the pleasure of the cool water they waded the ford barefoot , and it was scarce above Ursula 's knee . Then they had great joy to lie on the soft grass and eat their meat , while the horses tore eagerly at the herbage close to them . So when they had eaten , they rested awhile , but before they went further they despoiled them , one after other , and bathed in a pool of the river to wash the foul wilderness off them . Then again they rested and let the horses yet bite the grass , and departed not from that pleasant place till it was two hours after noon . As they were lying there Ralph said he could hear a great roar like the sound of many waters , but very far off : but to Ursula it seemed naught but the wind waxing in the boughs of the woodland anigh them . They Come to the Ocean Sea Being come to the wood they went not very far into it that day , for they were minded to rest them after the weariness of the wilderness : they feasted on a hare which Ralph shot , and made a big fire to keep off evil beasts , but none came nigh them , though they heard the voices of certain beasts as the night grew still . To be short , they slept far into the morrow 's morn , and then , being refreshed , and their horses also , they rode strongly all day , and found the wood to be not very great ; for before sunset they were come to its outskirts , and the mountains lay before them .