midday
The wanderer seemed doubtful of his course , sometimes taking this , sometimes that direction , and Antonia 's eastern falcon eye could discern that it was no Arab , but a man in knightly garb . `` Oh , dear sister , '' exclaimed Heimbert , full of anxious joy , `` then it is our poor Fadrique , who is in search of thee . For pity 's sake , let as hasten before he loses us , and perhaps at last his own life also , in this immeasurable waste . '' They strained every effort to reach the distant object , but it was now midday and the sun shone burningly upon them , Antonia could not long endure this rapid progress ; added to which the fearful whirlwind soon arose , and the figure that had been scarcely visible before faded from their eyes , like some phantom of the mist in autumn . With the rising moon they began anew to hasten forward , calling loudly upon the unfortunate wanderer , and fluttering white handkerchiefs tied to their walking-staffs , as signal flags , but it was all in vain . The object that had disappeared remained lost to view . Only a few giraffes sprang shyly past them , and the ostriches quickened their speed .