noon
A companion who could not talk , and who was , in all probability , demented , the eternal silence , except as it would be occasionally startled into life by some living thing ; unable to even indicate his thoughts , or to consult with him , as to direction , or to talk about the probabilities beyond them , and you will feel that it took a brave heart to continue the journey . But Harry possessed determination . He made up his mind to go on , until he could find some news to take back , and so the quest continued for two hours more . But Harry had forgotten that they started without food , and that it would take them as long to get back as they had already journeyed , and it was now fully noon . It seemed as though a hundred feet away it appeared clearer , but this delusion had been repeated so often that he tired of it , and when , after a rest , another start was made , he mentally made up his mind that if he could not find a clearing within the next half hour they must return . The clearing beyond did not deceive him this time . He clearly saw an elevation beyond , and he almost shouted , but he did not stop and laugh in his joy at the sight .