noon
He motioned the driver to a certain twig , got in , and shut his mouth firmly , thus closing debate . We smoked silently , waiting for the doctor 's mind to fog . He turned uneasily in his seat , like the agitated needle of a compass , and even in time hazarded the remark that something did not look natural ; but there was nothing to look at but flat land and flat sky , unless a hawk sailing here and there . At noon we lunched at the tail of the ambulance , and gently `` jollied '' the doctor 's topography . We pushed on . Later in the afternoon the thirsty mules went slowly . The doctor had by this time admitted his doubts -- some long blue hills on the sky-line ought to be farther to the west , according to his remembrance .