noon
It was early dawn when they all rose from the forms which they had impressed on the yielding sand ; and by the directions of Philip , they separated in every direction , to look for the means of quenching their agony of thirst . As they proceeded over sand-hills , they found growing in the sand a low spongy-leaf sort of shrub , something like what in our greenhouses is termed the ice-plant ; the thick leaves of which were covered with large drops of dew . They sank down on their knees , and proceeded from one to the other licking off the moisture which was abundant , and soon felt a temporary relief . They continued their search till noon without success , and hunger was now added to their thirst ; they then returned to the beach to ascertain if their companions had been more successful . They had also quenched their thirst with the dew of heaven but had found no water or means of subsistence ; but some of them had eaten the leaves of the plant which had contained the dew in the morning , and had found them , although acid , full of watery sap and grateful to the palate . The plant in question is the one provided by bounteous Providence for the support of the camel and other beasts in the arid desert , only to be found there , and devoured by all ruminating animals with avidity . By the advice of Philip they collected a quantity of this plant and put it into the boats , and then launched .