noon
Said Ursula as they came up to it : `` We may not cross it , but it matters not ; and it is to-morrow that we must ride up along it . '' So they abode there , and made a fire by the waterside , and watched there , turn and turn about , till it was broad day . Naught befell to tell of , save that twice in the night Ralph deemed that he heard a lion roar . They got to horse speedily when they were both awake , and rode up the stream , and began to go up hill , and by noon were come into a rough and shaggy upland , whence from time to time they could see the huge wall of the mountains , which yet seemed to Ralph scarce nigher , if at all , than when he had beheld it ere he had come to Vale Turris . The way was rough day-long , and now and again they found it hard to keep the stream in sight , as especially when it cleft a hill , and ran between sheer cliffs with no low shore on either side . They made way but slowly , so that at last Ralph lost patience somewhat , and said that he had but little hope of falling in with the Sage that day or any day . But Ursula was of good cheer , and mocked him merrily but sweetly , till his heart was lightened again .