noon
To travel very rapidly was out of the question . In certain places the underbrush was so dense that considerable exertion became necessary in order to force a passage , and despite all efforts not more than two miles an hour could be made . At the swamp plenty of cool , clear water was found , and with this Jake filled the two bottles , all they had in which to carry a supply of the precious liquid . At noon a long halt was made , and when the sun began to decline the weary march was resumed . By no means the least of the travelers ' suffering was caused by thorns , and to one who has never had any experience of this sort , a description of the various spines and needles which project from the strange plants in these vast forests would seem exaggerated . They are of all sizes and shapes , and in many places actually prevent a man from making his way through the foliage even though he be armed with a machete . Oftentimes it is absolutely necessary to make a long detour in order to avoid the painful obstructions , and before half of this day 's journey was finished all three of the castaways bore bloody evidence of what these natural bristles can do .