midday
In front the ground was already becoming dotted here and there with vegetation , and he doubted not that after a few hours ' ride he should be fairly in the confines of cultivated country . He gave his camel a meal of dates , and having eaten some himself , again set the creature in motion . These camels , especially those of good breed , will go on for three or four days with scarcely a halt ; and there was no fear of that on which he rode breaking down from fatigue , for the journeys hitherto had been comparatively short . By midday Cuthbert had reached the cultivated lands of Palestine . Here and there over the plain villages were dotted , and parties of men and camels were to be seen . Cuthbert now arranged his robes carefully in Arab fashion , slung the long spear across his shoulders , and went boldly forward at a slinging trot , having little fear that a passer-by would have any suspicion whatever as to his being other than an Arab bent upon some rapid journey . He soon found that his hopes were justified .