about two
hours before noon
But no one answered , for nobody believed they would . A feeling of despondency was making itself too plainly felt , and when broad daylight did at last come all that could be seen was sand and soda everywhere , not so much as a shrub or scrap of grass , only scattered stones here and there , and the party shrank from looking in each other 's wild and bloodshot eyes . `` Forward , '' said the doctor , at last . `` We 'll keep on till about two hours before noon , and then have a good meal and rest till the sun 's low . We must be getting well on to our journey 's end . '' About this time the doctor edged up close to Griggs and entered into conversation with him in a low tone , `` What do you think of it ? '' he said .