noon
She tried to guess , from the sense of sunshine that came through her bandage , in what direction she was being carried , and fancied it must be southerly . On -- on -- on -- still the turf . It seemed absolutely endless . Time was not measurable under such circumstances , but she fancied noon must have more than passed , when the voice that had before spoken said , `` We halt in a moment , and shift you to another horse , madam ; but again I forewarn you that our comrades here have no ears for you , and that cries and struggles will only make it the worse for you . '' Then came the sound as of harder ground and a stop -- undertones , gruff and manly , could be heard , the peculiar noise of horses ' drinking ; and her captor came up this time on foot , saying , `` Plaguy little to be had in this accursed hole ; 't is but the choice between stale beer and milk . Which will you prefer ? '' She could not help accepting the milk , and she was taken down to drink it , and a hunch of coarse barley bread was given to her , with it the words , `` I would offer you bacon , but it tastes as if Old Nick had smoked it in his private furnace . ''