noon
For some time they continued through the forest -- how long I could not guess for I was learning , what was later borne very forcefully to my mind , that time ceases to be a factor the moment means for measuring it cease to exist . Our watches were gone , and we were living beneath a stationary sun . Already I was puzzled to compute the period of time which had elapsed since we broke through the crust of the inner world . It might be hours , or it might be days -- who in the world could tell where it was always noon ! By the sun , no time had elapsed -- but my judgment told me that we must have been several hours in this strange world . Presently the forest terminated , and we came out upon a level plain . A short distance before us rose a few low , rocky hills .