noon
In such situations fear and curiosity are the most common sensations ; he was not moved by them . When men are lonely , they stoop to any companionship ; the dog becomes a comrade , the horse a friend , and it is no shame to shower them with caresses and speeches of love . The camel received no such token , not a touch , not a word . Exactly at noon the dromedary , of its own will , stopped , and uttered the cry or moan , peculiarly piteous , by which its kind always protest against an overload , and sometimes crave attention and rest . The master thereupon bestirred himself , waking , as it were , from sleep . He threw the curtains of the houdah up , looked at the sun , surveyed the country on every side long and carefully , as if to identify an appointed place . Satisfied with the inspection , he drew a deep breath and nodded , much as to say , `` At last , at last ! ''