noon
Hundreds of miles from the coast , surrounded by barbarous and savage people , and their only hope that mysterious underground river which in itself was a thing to be feared . But , on the other hand , speedy death awaited them in the dungeon of Rao Khan . The chances were truly worth taking . They followed instructions closely when the guard brought them food at noon , and in the evening Melton tossed on the floor as though in pain . The thrice-welcomed darkness came at last , and the light faded out of their dungeon . Once a horrible thought entered Guy 's mind . What was to prevent the Greek from making his escape alone , and abandoning the Englishmen to their fate ?