noon
The burdens , soaked with water , had increased in weight very materially , and again Poyor overhauled them in order to throw away yet more of the load . All the fishing tackle , two extra suits of clothes belonging to the boys , the spoiled provisions and , in fact , nearly everything except the ammunition and weapons , was left behind when the ascent of the mountain was continued . It was not yet time for the sun to rise ; but the gray light of coming day served to show the way , and Poyor strode on in advance at a pace which would have soon winded the boys had Cummings not ordered him to proceed more slowly . `` We must keep on without a halt until noon , '' he said , `` and it would be bad policy to use a portion of the party up before the journey has fairly begun . '' Even at the best pace possible the progress was by no means rapid , owing to the obstructions in the path . Here it was necessary to make a long detour that an overhanging ledge might be avoided , and there they were literally forced to scramble among boulders of every size at imminent risk of breaking limbs or being precipitated to the valley below . Before half an hour had passed the rain ceased falling as rapidly as it had begun , and as the sun appeared the clouds at the foot of the mountain were dispersed .